Professor Kim Dong-uk of Yonsei University College of Medicine won the "KY Cha Academic Award."
The Korean Society for Stem Cell Research said on the 25th that at the "2026 annual meeting," held on the 20th–21st at the Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul, it selected Kim as the recipient of the KY Cha Academic Award.
Kim was recognized for using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to identify the mechanisms of intractable diseases and for continuing research on gene editing and the development and clinical study of cell therapies.
In particular, during development of a stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, the team verified therapeutic effects and safety in preclinical stages and conducted a clinical study assessing the safety and therapeutic efficacy of an hESC-based Parkinson's cell therapy in patients. This is the first such hESC-based Parkinson's cell therapy clinical study in Asia and the second in the world.
The KY Cha Academic Award was established last year to honor the contributions of Cha Kwang-ryeol, head of the global integrated research institute at CHA Hospital and CHA Bio Group, to the advancement of reproductive medicine and cell research and to support domestic stem cell research. Its purpose is to identify researchers with outstanding achievements and support researchers in stem cell and regenerative medicine.
Head of institute Cha Kwang-ryeol began with breakthroughs in reproductive medicine, including the world's first oocyte cryopreservation method and the establishment of an egg bank, and has expanded his research into stem cells and regenerative medicine. Cha is also focused on building research infrastructure, supporting researchers, and cultivating specialized talent. Since last year, he has been giving lectures at domestic and international societies, universities, and corporations on "K-Cell" and "Longevity," which use rejuvenated stem cells, presenting directions for future medicine aimed at stem cell and regenerative medical technologies and extending healthy life spans.