The main research theme in YK Cho’s research group is focused on the development of lab-on-a-chip system with fundamental understanding of bio-molecular interactions and fluidic behavior in micro/nano scales. A family of unique microfluidic platforms are utilized to probe cells with unprecedented precision and to have systems understanding of cellular communications in tumor microenvironment. Current research topics include a lab-on-a-disc for the detection of rare cells, exosomes, and cancer biomarkers, quantitative analysis of single cells, and system analysis of cell to cell communication.
Curriculum Vitae
- -2024- Present: Professor, BME, Dean, College of Information and Biotechnology, UNIST
- -2016-2024: Group leader, IBS center for soft and living matter; Full Prof., BME, UNIST
- -2015-2016: Group leader, IBS center for soft and living matter, Assoc. Prof., BME, UNIST
- -2013-2015: Director of BK21 Plus
- -2010-2015: Assoc. Prof. and Chair, School of Life Sciences (Nano-Bioscience & Chemical Eng.) UNIST
- -2009-2013: Director of WCU program
- -2008-2010: Assist. Prof. Chair, School of Nano-Bioscience & Chemical Eng., UNIST
- -1999-2008: Senior Researcher, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Academic Credential
- – 1999 Ph. D. Mat. Sci. & Eng., Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
- – 1994 M. S. Chem. Eng., POSTECH, Korea
- – 1992 B. S. Chem. Eng., POSTECH , Korea
Awards/Honors/Memberships
- -2024-Present: Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society, President
- -2024-Present: Member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK)
- -2019-Present: Lab Chip, Associate Editor
- -2016-Present: Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry
- -2019-2024: Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society, Board of directors, Vice President (2023-2024)
- -2023 National Top 100 R&D Performances, Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea
- -2023 Presidential Citation Ribbon, Korea
- -2022 National Top 100 R&D Performances, Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea
- -2021: Associate Member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK)
- -2021 Outstanding Citizen Award 2021 (Academic/Science), Ulsan Metropolitan City, Korea
- -2021 Outstanding Faculty Award 2020, UNIST, Korea
- -2020 BRIC Top 5 Research in 2020, Bioengineering, Korea
- -2019 National Top 100 R&D Performances, Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea
- -2018 Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology, member
- -2017 Ministry commendation, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea
- -2012 Faculty of the Year Award, UNIST
- -2011 Minister Award, Ministry of Knowledge Economy
- -2010 Korean Woman Engineer of the Year
- -2009 NRF Award for Young Mentors, Korea
- -2004, 2007 SAMSUNG CEO’s Award for Best Technology Achievement of the Year, Samsung
- -1998 The Racheff Award, UIUC, USA
