Winners of the 8th Korea Toray Science Foundation Award
The Korea Toray Science Foundation (Chairman: Young-Kwan Lee) has announced the recipients of the 8th Korea Toray Science and Technology Award.Professor Jong-Seung Kim of Korea University’s Department of Chemistry has been selected in the Basic Research category, while Professor Hyung-Joon Cha of POSTECH’s Department of Chemical Engineering has been selected in the Applied Research category. Each awardee will receive a prize of 100 million KRW.Professor Kim pioneered the field of theranostics—a technology enabling selective diagnosis and treatment of tumors—leading global pharmaceutical innovation in this domain. He has also been named one of the “Most Influential Researchers in the World” for 11 consecutive years since 2014, significantly elevating the profile of Korean science.Professor Cha, a leading scholar in biomaterials engineering, has been recognized for his research on mussel-derived adhesive proteins—the only work of its kind worldwide. His efforts have driven original material development, expanded into the medical field, enabled diverse applications, and contributed to the advancement of marine biotechnology materials through successful technology transfers.In addition, five young scientists have been selected for the Korea Toray Fellowship. Each will receive 150 million KRW in research funding over three years.The fellowship awardees are :Basic Research : Professor Yoon-su Park (KAIST, Department of Chemistry), Professor Chang-yoon Son (Seoul National University, Department of Chemistry)Applied Research : Professor Min-Kyu Kim (Inha University, Department of Chemistry), Professor Soo-yeon Cho (Sungkyunkwan University, Department of Chemical Engineering), Professor Him-chan Cho (KAIST, Department of Materials Science and Engineering)Candidates for the Korea Toray Science and Technology Award and Fellowship were nominated between April and June, with recipients selected following a rigorous review process. The ceremony will be held on October 31.Established in 2018 to advance Korea’s scientific and technological development, the Korea Toray Science Foundation has to date provided a total of 6.5 billion KRW in support, benefitting 14 Science and Technology Award laureates, 30 Fellowship researchers, and 245 university students in science and engineering.
