Professor Yoon Juyoung from Ewha Womans University, Professor Seon Woong from Korea University, Professor Cho Hyounghee from Yonsei University, and Professor Baek Jongbeom from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have been selected for the Korea Science and Engineering Awards, which are given to those who have made world-class research achievements. They will receive the presidential award and a research incentive of 70 million won.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and the Korean Mathematical Society held the 2024 Excellence in Science Awards ceremony on the afternoon of Dec. 12 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam, Seoul. A total of 17 outstanding scientists received awards across four categories: the Korea Science and Engineering Awards (four recipients), the Young Scientist Award (four recipients), the Scientist of the Month Award (six recipients), and the Lee Chul-soo Award for the Year (three recipients).
Professor Yoon Juyoung, who received the Korea Science and Engineering Awards, developed light therapy agents for hard-to-treat cancers that can be selectively delivered to tumors, performing both imaging and treatment simultaneously. Professor Seon Woong developed a technique for producing mini spinal cords that mimic biological characteristics in an in vitro culture environment using human pluripotent stem cells.
Professor Cho Hyounghee successfully localized high-temperature components such as large gas turbine blades and combustors through the development and application of advanced cooling technology, while Professor Baek Jongbeom developed an eco-friendly and economical method for mass synthesis of single-atom catalysts by mechanochemically atomizing metal beads and anchoring them on a support.
The Young Scientist Award, presented to scientists under the age of 40, was awarded to Professor Kang Jeongsu from Seoul National University, Research Fellow Lee Seungju from the Institute for Basic Science, Professor Choi Changhyuk from Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Professor Kim Yusik from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. They will receive the presidential award and a research incentive of 50 million won.
The Lee Chul-soo Award for the Year, which recognizes outstanding researchers in mathematics, was awarded to Professor Shin Jinwoo from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Professor Ha Seungyeol from Seoul National University, and Chairman Lee Gi-hyung of Chaos. They will receive the Minister's award and a prize of 10 million won.
Minister Yoo Sangim of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "I hope that the research achievements and awards will serve as fresh inspiration for fellow researchers and will become a special milestone for future science and technology talents who will lead our country."