Reason for Award

Professor Kim Yoo-Soo is a world-renowned scholar who has established an experimental foundation for precisely measuring and actively controlling quantum states at the single-molecule level. By developing an innovative methodology that combines scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and advanced optical technologies, he successfully spectroscopically elucidated the electronic and vibrational states of individual molecules. This achievement surpasses the limitations of traditional spectroscopy, opening up possibilities for applications in various interdisciplinary fields, such as quantum information processing, artificial photosynthesis, and nanophotocatalysis. It is regarded as an innovative research outcome bridging basic science and future technologies.

Biography

Bachelor/Master of Chemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Department of Applied Chemistry, Department of Engineering, Tokyo National University
Current Principal Researcher, Surface Interface Science Laboratory, Current Professor of Applied Chemistry, Department of Engineering, Tokyo University
Currently, Professor of Chemistry at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and Director of the Quantum Transformation Research Group at the Institute of Basic Science.

Reason for Award

Professor Heo Jun-Yeol is a leading researcher in the fields of gut microbiota, immune cells, and neuroimmunology. He has discovered that bile acid metabolites produced by gut microbiota regulate immune responses, and has also identified that interleukins can directly affect the brain, thus expanding the boundaries of immunology into neuroscience. His groundbreaking research presents new possibilities for treating intractable diseases and has had a significant impact in the field of biomedical science. This achievement is considered a paradigm-shifting contribution to immunology.

Biography

Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Seoul National University Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology, Postdoctoral Researcher at New York University, Assistant Professor at Massachusetts Medical School.

Currently, Advisor to CJ, hy, and Samsung Biologics, Co-Founder of Interon, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School.

Reason for Award

Professor Kim Ho-Young is a globally recognized researcher in the fields of soft matter physics and microfluidics. He has precisely analyzed the behavior of soft materials that change shape in response to stimuli and the dynamics of micro/nanoscale flows. Based on this, he has developed soft robots driven by humidity and water. Additionally, he has elucidated the physical principles behind the operation of various plants and animals, and used this knowledge to develop innovative soft mechanical systems, opening a new chapter in the field of engineering.

Biography

Bachelor of Engineering from Seoul National University; Master of Engineering/Ph.D. in Engineering from MIT.

Former Department Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University.
Currently, General Member of the Korean Academy of Engineering.
Currently, Regular Member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology.

Currently, Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Currently, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University.

Reason for Award

Professor Kim Sang-Bae is a world-renowned scholar who has led academic advancements and technological innovations in robotics. He has recently revolutionized the design paradigm of bipedal and quadrupedal robots with the development of biomimetic robots that mimic human movement and new electric motor-based actuators. Notable robotic platforms such as the Mini Cheetah have had a significant impact on academia, industry, defense, disaster response, and society at large. Additionally, through ethical and policy discussions on robotics technology, nurturing the next generation of talent, and fostering international collaboration, he has made substantial contributions to the global advancement of robotics engineering.

Biography

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yonsei University, Master's and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard University.

Former Associate Department Head at MIT, Currently, Full Professor at MIT.

Technical Advisor at Naver Labs, AI Advisor at Hyundai Motor Group, Currently, Robotics Architect at Meta Platforms.