20 new members of Y-KAST in 2025. From the top left, Shin Yoojeong (Chonbuk National University), Kim Jaehoon (KAIST), Park Jinhui (DGIST), Lee Sangkyu (IBS), Lee Seongbin (KAIST), Choi Changhyuk (POSTECH), Kim Sanha (KAIST), Shin Mikyung (Sungkyunkwan University), Ahn Jihwan (POSTECH), Oh Dongyeop (Inha University), Lee Woong (KIST), Cho Gangwoo (POSTECH), Joo Jinhyeon (KAIST), Hwang Uijong (KAIST), Kwon Chuntak (Kyunghee University), Park Junwon (Seoul National University), Jeong Younghoon (Kyungpook National University), Lee Shihyung (Seoul National University), Jeong Hyeonjeong (KAIST), Cha Jaeguk (Yonsei University)./Courtesy of Korean Academy of Science and Technology

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology announced on the 17th that it has elected 20 young scientists as 'Y-KAST members' who will lead the future of science in Korea.

'Y-KAST members' are selected from young scientists under the age of 43 who have outstanding academic achievements. The evaluation focuses on achievements made as independent researchers in Korea after obtaining a doctorate, and the final selection is made from the next-generation science and technology leaders who are likely to significantly contribute to the development of science and technology in the country.

The average age of the newly elected members this year is 40.4 years. Among them are Choi Chang-hyuk, a professor at POSTECH, who is leading the way in solving century-old challenges in electrochemistry; Lee Sung-bin, a professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), who is producing outstanding results in condensed matter physics; and Shin Mi-kyung, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, who has published papers in Nature and other journals on the research of natural polymer hydrogels.

The list of members includes Shin Yoo-jung from the Department of Policy Studies (Jeonbuk National University), Kim Jae-hoon (KAIST) and Park Jin-hee (DGIST) from the Department of Science, Lee Sang-kyu (Institute for Basic Science), Lee Sung-bin (KAIST), Choi Chang-hyuk (POSTECH), Kim San-ha (KAIST) from the Department of Engineering, Shin Mi-kyung (Sungkyunkwan University), Ahn Ji-hwan (POSTECH), Oh Dong-yeop (Inha University), Lee Woong (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), Cho Kang-woo (POSTECH), Joo Jin-hyeon (KAIST), Hwang Ui-jong (KAIST), Kwon Chun-tak (Kyunghee University) and Park Joon-won (Seoul National University) from the Department of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Jeong Yeong-hoon (Kyungpook National University) from the Department of Medicine and Pharmacy, Lee Si-hyung (Seoul National University), Jeong Hyun-jeong (KAIST), and Cha Jae-guk (Yonsei University).

The academy will hold the '2024 Y-KAST Members' Day' on the afternoon of the 19th, where it will present membership badges to new Y-KAST members and organize an exchange event among researchers.