EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY | Research

171
Ewha Selected for Brain Korea21 FOUR (Research Project)

Ewha Womans University has been selected for the educational research group in the field of artificial intelligence under the Innovation Talent Training Program of the Phase-4 Brain Korea 21 Project, supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The selected group, Trustworthy and Resource-efficient Unified Evolving AI (Ewha TRUE-AI), led by Dr. DaeHun Nyang, is spearheading the development of next-generation core AI technologies that integrate both high trustworthiness and resource efficiency, while establishing Ewha as a national hub for cultivating advanced women experts in AI. The BK21 initiative, launched in 1999, is Korea’s largest graduate school innovation and researcher training project. The ongoing Phase 4 Project (2020–2027) focuses on nurturing research personnel in new industry sectors. In light of the rapid advances in AI technology and surging demand for AI aptitude, the Ministry of Education added artificial intelligence as a new category in 2025 through a supplementary budget. As part of this expansion, a total of 17 educational research groups nationwide, including Ewha TRUE-AI, have been selected to lead the future of AI innovation. Ewha TRUE-AI is one of four educational groups newly added, consisting of 12 faculty members from the College of Artificial Intelligence and 60 graduate students. The research group presents a vision of training specialists versed in lightweight, optimized AI technologies and security, with the aim to address computing costs, energy consumption, and security challenges inherent in hyper-scale AI services. Moreover, given that women make up only 22 percent of domestic science and engineering doctoral students, the initiative aspires to reduce the gender imbalance by focusing on women-centered AI talent development. Ewha TRUE-AI will also leverage Ewha’s state-of-the-art infrastructure—such as the stable foundation provided by the Division of Artificial Intelligence and Software and high-performance computing clusters—to carry out empirical research. Graduate students participating in the research group will be granted research scholarships of KRW 1,000,000 for master’s degrees and KRW 1,600,000 for doctoral degrees, along with support for personnel expenses, opportunities to participate in international joint research, and programs to invite distinguished overseas scholars. These support measures aim to help students grow into next-generation AI experts who are competitive in industries and the global stage. This selection also aligns with Ewha’s strategic development plan of “New Era, New Ewha,” under the core objective of “Great Transformation of Higher Education in the AI era.” Following the preemptive establishment of infrastructure such as the Major in Artificial Intelligence (2022), the Graduate School of Data Science, and the College of Artificial Intelligence (2023), as well as Ewha’s selection for the G-LAMP initiative, this latest recognition reaffirms Ewha’s unparalleled standing in AI. Through this program, Ewha expects to receive approximately KRW 800 million annually through 2027. With this support, the university plans to sustain world-class research outputs, expand industry–university collaboration, elevate national and international AI competitiveness, and strengthen the global leadership capabilities of talented women.
- No.170
- Writer
- Date2025.09.24
- Views20727
169
Two Projects Selected for 2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Research Support Program

Two Ewha researchers won major grants for the “2025 Humanities and Social Sciences Research Support Program,” reaffirming the university’s status as a leading research hub for the humanities and social sciences in the country. Launched in 1963 and led by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea,, the program is a flagship national R&D initiative that aims to strengthen the capabilities of researchers, foster the next generation of scholars, and to build a foundation for collaborative research at university-affiliated institutes. Prof. Soyeon Kim The first grant was awarded to tThe Korean Culture Research Institute. Funded by the “Humanities and Social Sciences Research Institute Support Project,” the Institute will receive a total of KRW 1.98 billion over the next six years to develop a database for the “Encyclopedia of Modern Korean Kitchen Material Culture.” The principal investigator, Professor Soyeon Kim at the Department of Art History, stated, “The kitchen space constitutes a remarkable research subject where diverse elements converge, including food culture, industrial technology, design, and gender.” She emphasized the project’s mission to document and preserve modern and contemporary kitchen culture as preliminary cultural heritage. This project carries particular significance as it ensures the continuity of material culture studies covering the Joseon Dynasty to the modern era, following the Institute’s 2019 database project on Joseon-era craft. Prof. Min Hee Go Another grant was awarded to tthe research team led by Professor Min Hee Go of the Department of Political Science & International Relations. Funded by the “Social Sciences Korea (SSK) Global Agenda Research Program,” the project, titled “Unpacking the Algorithmic Diffusion of Animosities: Data-Driven Approaches to Social Frictions in Korea,” consists of an interdisciplinary team of experts in political science, data science, and economics and aims to refine the theoretical concept of animosities and empirically examine the causes and consequences of animosities in politics. To this end, they propose to analyze AI- and algorithm-driven diffusion and reproduction patterns and compare them with conventional public opinion. Professor Go noted, “Korean society has entered an era where antipathy is being expressed in multi-faceted ways.,” She further added that “We hope our study can contribute to promoting social cohesion and coexistence in the polarized society.”
- No.168
- Writer
- Date2025.09.10
- Views38905
167
Ewha Opens a New Chapter in Cutting-edge AI Research

Ewha Womans University has been preliminarily selected for a 2025 Ministry of Education program titled Global Learning & Academic Research Institution for Master’s & PhD students, and Post-docs (G-LAMP), laying the foundation for leadership in human-centered AI research. G-LAMP is a national initiative aimed at promoting collaborative research in basic science, and Ewha has been chosen for the newly established category of “Type II Engineering Field (Mathematics, Statistics, AI),” securing a total of 25 billion KRW in funding over five years until 2030. To this end, the university launched the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Research Institute in July and appointed Professor Sang Soo Park as director, designating the institute as the G-LAMP program’s main engineering-focused themed research institute. The institute aims to pursue ethical and sustainable AI development through convergence with the humanities, social sciences, and arts as a way to generate new value that benefits human life. Ewha reinforces its research support system around a project team led by Professor June-Yub Lee of the Department of Mathematics and plans to expand state-of-the-art AI research infrastructure and global networks to foster world-class early-career researchers. In particular, the initiative aims to develop an interdisciplinary AI convergence research ecosystem that contributes to the common good and value creation for all of humanity, while supporting female students in becoming creative, problem-solving AI experts. The key goals of the research include establishing AI theories based on mathematics and statistics, developing highly reliable foundational technologies for next-generation AI, and implementing intelligent AI systems that help to manage human-environment interactions. The overarching aim is to secure global leadership in human-centered AI research. President Hyang-Sook Lee stated, “This selection marks the first step in our vision of ‘New Era, New Ewha’ and ‘Great Transformation of Higher Education in the AI era’,” and pledged full support to attract distinguished researchers and lead innovative AI research at Ewha. Ewha’s leadership in AI has built on decades of pioneering achievements: establishing the Department of Computer Science in 1981, founding the world’s first women’s engineering college in 1996, launching AI majors and the Graduate School of Data Science in 2022, and establishing the College of Artificial Intelligence in 2023. The latest G-LAMP selection has further solidified Ewha’s global standing in AI research.
- No.166
- Writer
- Date2025.08.26
- Views33639
165
Ewha Research Team Leads Global Convergence Research

Ewha Research Team Leads Global Convergence Research An Ewha research team proved its research competitiveness by being selected for a series of government-supported global convergence research projects. (From Left) Prof. Eunju Jeong, Prof. Kim Sun-Young, Prof. Junhyug Noh, Prof. Chan-Woong Lee The research team led by Professor Eunju Jeong of the Department of Music Therapy was chosen for the “Global Humanities and Social Sciences Convergence Research Support Project (research group type)” by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The research team will conduct an arts-integrated digital “sleeponomics” research project on overcoming insomnia up to 2028. The team plans to develop the prototype for a digital service that enables pre- and post-sleep care and real-time adaptive intervention while asleep, based on the synchronization of music and biosignals, and the psychological and emotional intervention effects. Professor Jeong emphasized that the research will offer customized solutions for individuals suffering from insomnia and contribute to improving national sleep wellness, as well as expanding the fields of digital wellness and digital therapeutics (DTx). (From Left) Prof. Won Jae Choi, Prof. Baehyun Min, Prof. Sanghun Lee Meanwhile, the research team led by Professor Won Jae Choi of the Department of Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering was selected for the “International, Large-scale Next-generation CCUS Joint Research Project (R&D) for Securing Global Leadership” supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning. Through collaboration with domestic and international industry, academia, and research institutes, including POSCO Holdings, the research team will build an international CCS network that links multiple CO₂ capture sources in the Yeosu and Gwangyang industrial complexes with overseas storage sites (such as Australia and Indonesia). The project is aimed at achieving efficiency gains of over 20 percent, securing impurity management technology, developing an AI-LCA-based decision-making support system, analyzing international regulatory barriers, and establishing a cross-border CCS policy and technology roadmap by 2028. The project is significant in that it will develop the technology for a large-scale international CCS network for the first time in Korea. Domestic and overseas businesses and research institutes, including POSCO International, GS Caltex, GS E&C, and Chevron, are expected to collaborate in opening new global energy markets and reinforcing national energy security.
- No.164
- Writer
- Date2025.08.25
- Views8642
163
Team Led by Professor Dong Ha Kim Published in Science for Development of Next-generation Supramolecular Optical Materia

Team Led by Professor Dong Ha Kim Published in Science for Development of Next-generation Supramolecular Optical Materials Technology Professor Dong Ha Kim from the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience and his team have developed chiral supramolecular optical materials based on star-like block copolymers capable of high-efficiency circularly polarized light (CPL) across the entire visible spectrum. This innovation enables the stable implementation of red CPL and maintains long-term supramolecular chirality, marking a significant technological breakthrough. The findings were published in the renowned academic journal Science on August 14. Circularly polarized luminescence is vital for next-generation optoelectronic applications like 3D displays, quantum optics, and spintronics. However, existing materials based on linear block copolymers have been limited by issues of instability and low efficiency. The research team designed hierarchical assemblies by hydrogen bonding achiral star-like block copolymers with chiral small molecules, forming helical microfibers during the thermal annealing process. This resulted in significantly stronger chiral optical properties and enhanced stability. These constructed assemblies maintained stability for over 100 days at room temperature and showed no performance degradation, even with repeated heating and cooling cycles. The research also successfully incorporated various emitters to achieve full-color CPL encompassing the blue, green, and red regions, reaching record-high emission efficiency and lifespan. Notably, the emission efficiency reached the highest level compared to existing technologies. Moreover, the team managed to control the directionality of chiral optical properties by adjusting the concentration and solvent evaporation rate, a process elucidated using molecular dynamics simulations. Professor Kim envisions this technology to be applicable in various fields such as spintronics, information encryption, and bio-imaging as a next-generation chiral optical material. The research received support from the Autonomous Priority Research Institute of the National Research Foundation of Korea, with Dr. Minju Kim (currently a postdoctoral researcher at the National University of Singapore) as the first author. Joint corresponding authors include Zhiqun Lin, Invited Chair Professor at the National University of Singapore; Professor Zhong-Yuan Lu at Jilin University, China; Professor Nicholas A. Kotov at the University of Michigan, USA; and Professor Zhenzhong Yang at Tsinghua University, China, demonstrating a successful case of international collaboration.
- No.162
- Writer
- Date2025.08.18
- Views23864
161
Ewha Starts to Co-develop AI Platform for Cardiotoxicity Evaluation of New Drug Candidates with Fraunhofer IBMT, Germany

Ewha Starts to Co-develop AI Platform for Cardiotoxicity Evaluation of New Drug Candidates with Fraunhofer IBMT, Germany Ewha has been selected for the “2025 Korea-Germany Industry-Academia Joint Research (2+2 Projects),” overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), a world-renowned applied science research institute in Germany. Based on its selection for this large-scale global research project, which is jointly supported by the governments of both nations, Ewha plans to further strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between Korea and Germany. To this end, Jang-Hwan Choi, professor at the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Ewha, and Heiko Zimmermann, director of Fraunhofer IBMT, Germany, have secured a total of KRW 1.87 billion in research funding to jointly develop a next-generation drug cardiotoxicity evaluation platform that combines 3D myocardial organoids and AI over a period of three years starting this October. The contractile dynamics of iPSC-based 3D myocardial organoids are measured with Fraunhofer IBMT’s non-contact optical metrology technology in real time and analyzed with unsupervised AI models from the Medical AI & Computer Vision Lab at Ewha to automatically generate drug dose-response curves. This is expected to enable the high-speed and high-precision prediction of cardiotoxicity risk for new drug candidates at the preclinical stage. To this end, the two organizations signed an MOU in April and established the Ewha–Fraunhofer RegMed AI Hub in Seoul. The Korean Fund for Regenerative Medicine (KFRM) stated that the collaboration will serve as an opportunity to enter the drug development market and establish a global standard platform. The research participants include Ewha Womans University (general management and AI development), Biosolvix Co., Ltd. (organoid production and standardization), Korea University College of Medicine (histopathology and clinical consulting), Dt & CRO (preclinical verification), Fraunhofer IBMT (optical metrology and stem cell platform), and Innovitro GmbH (3D culture process). In particular, Biosolvix will promote the commercialization of research outcomes while carrying out projects of the KFRM. This collaboration was enabled through researcher exchange support projects by the KFRM, including the hosting of an international workshop in 2026, plans for the AI-Organoid Cardiotoxicity Challenge in 2027, completion of preclinical validation, and technology transfer for domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies and CROs by 2028. Through such efforts, Korea and Germany are expected to strengthen cooperation in the fields of advanced regenerative medicine and AI-digital healthcare convergence, and lead global innovation in cardiotoxicity evaluation.
- No.160
- Writer
- Date2025.07.31
- Views41873
159
Ewha Signs MOU with KIST for Research Cooperation and Talent Development in Future Core Technologies

Ewha Signs MOU with KIST for Research Cooperation and Talent Development in Future Core Technologies Ewha and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the Conference Room of Pfeiffer Hall on July 14 (Mon.) to promote research cooperation and cultivate talent in science and technology. This agreement was intended to enhance collaboration between academia and research institutions in future core technologies and nurture professionals who will contribute to the advancement of science and technology in Korea. The two institutions plan to pursue collaboration and exchange across all areas, including mutual cooperation and joint research aimed at advancing national R&D programs; mutual exchange of technology and human resources; development of women professionals in science and technology; and co-hosting of seminars, symposia, and conferences on international joint research, along with dissemination of their outcomes. These efforts are based on intensive research cooperation in specialized fields including next-generation semiconductors, AI and robotics, climate and environments, and natural product and new drug development. President Hyang-Sook Lee of Ewha Womans University remarked, “We hope that Ewha’s young and dynamic research personnel, combined with KIST’s extensive research experience, will take the initiative in future core technologies through collaborative efforts in creative and challenging research.” Meanwhile, KIST President Sang Rok Oh stated, “Under KIST’s values of autonomy and openness, we aim not only to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to us by the nation and society but also to scale up our capabilities by promoting specialized academic and research collaboration with Ewha Womans University.”
- No.158
- Writer
- Date2025.07.14
- Views20297
157
Team Led by Professor Dong Ha Kim Develops the World’s First Bioorthogonal Reaction-based Nanocatalytic Platform...

Team Led by Professor Dong Ha Kim Develops the World’s First Bioorthogonal Reaction-based Nanocatalytic Platform for Cancer Therapy A research team led by Professor Dong Ha Kim at the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience has successfully developed the world’s first bioorthogonal reaction-based plasmonic-catalytic hybrid nanoplatform for precision cancer therapy. This research finding is gaining attention for enhancing both the precision and reaction efficiency of bioorthogonal reactions—a next-generation technology for precision tumor therapy. The research project was published on July 4 (Fri.) in Advanced Materials, one of the world’s most prestigious materials science journals (top one percent of the Journal Citation Indicator (JCI) Chemistry, Multidisciplinary category). Bioorthogonal reactions refer to a next-generation precision therapeutic strategy that selectively activates drugs in cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Conventional technologies, however, show low reaction efficiency in human physiological environments, while also lacking precise control over the timing and location of drug activation. In order to solve these technological challenges, it was necessary to develop nanocatalysts with higher reaction efficiency and easier controllability. Building on this idea, Professor Kim’s team designed a new nanoplatform that integrates three components: an Au nanoparticle, a Pd nanocatalyst, and a pro-photosensitizer. The novel nanoplatform entails the precise conjugation of Pd particles at the tips of Au nanoparticles, improving both the light absorption of Au and the catalytic activity of Pd. The platform also incorporates the light-responsive allyl carbamate-conjugated methylene blue prodrug, which leads to site-specific drug activation. In particular, this nanoplatform enables precise spatiotemporal control of the prodrug’s cleavage reaction by simultaneously irradiating light at wavelengths of 808 nanometers and 655 nanometers and inducing electron transfer through the plasmonic effect. The research team’s findings confirmed a ninefold enhancement in prodrug activation compared to conventional strategies, while demonstrating precise in-vivo control of the reaction. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies demonstrated the remarkable tumor-suppressing capability of the bioorthogonal system, which is attributed to the photothermal therapy and photoinduced plasmon electron transfer (PiPET) effects, along with the prevention of leuko-MB formation. Professor Dong Ha Kim predicted that this technology will offer an innovative solution for tumor therapy through precise phototherapeutic strategies. Read the paper: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202418134?af=R
- No.156
- Writer
- Date2025.07.10
- Views17378
155
Ewha’s IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience Receives the Highest Grade in Its Eighth-Year Performance Evaluation

Ewha’s IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience Receives the Highest Grade in Its Eighth-Year Performance Evaluation The Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) of Ewha’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) was awarded the highest grade of “Excellent” in its eighth-year performance evaluation. This marks the second consecutive time that the center has received the highest rating, following its fifth-year review conducted in 2022, thereby reaffirming the center’s global research competence and operational excellence. Given the long-term nature of basic science research, the IBS conducts the first performance evaluation of its research centers in the fifth year since their establishment, followed by regular evaluations every three years. The eighth-year performance evaluation for the QNS, established in 2017, was conducted by an evaluation panel comprising world-renowned scholars and experts both in Korea and overseas. According to the evaluation results, the center’s technologies for quantum spin control and measurement represent a world-leading level, attesting to the center’s excellence at the highest global standard in terms of its original research approach, ability to develop instrumentation, and the resulting scientific achievements. The QNS has established one of the most advanced research environments in Korea, including an ultra-precise, low-vibration laboratory, to perform the measurement and control of quantum phenomena at the atomic scale, while producing innovative achievements in quantum computing and metrology by publishing a number of key papers in leading international journals such as Science and realizing Korea’s first qubit platform. The center was recognized as a model for its diverse research culture, as demonstrated by a high proportion of female talent (57 percent) and a significant share of international researchers. The center was also highly rated for its efforts to promote public engagement by holding an art contest and conducting the NanoKOMIK project—a science lecture program. QNS Director Andreas Heinrich stated, “Achieving the highest rating for the second consecutive term is an affirmation of our vision to build the field of quantum science from the ground up. It also underscores the impact of our original research approach, which continues to pioneer new frontiers in the field of quantum research. We will continue to pursue world-class research that will serve as a cornerstone for Korea’s quantum future.” The success of the QNS is largely attributable to the university’s full-scale investment and enduring dedication to advancing excellence in research. Since hosting the QNS in 2017, the university has established a dedicated collaborative research facility—including Korea’s lowest-vibration environment—which is designed to meet the exacting demands of ultra-precision research. This world-leading research environment has served as a vital platform for advancements in quantum research, while support from Ewha has been crucial in allowing the QNS to attract leading international researchers and produce innovative outcomes. Graduates who trained at the center are now advancing as research leaders at prominent European universities and global companies. Looking ahead, through its continued collaboration with the IBS and the QNS, Ewha will integrate its long-term strategy with educational programs to advance basic science and build on the relevant research ecosystem. As a central hub within the quantum science ecosystem, this collaboration also underpins the university’s commitment toward cultivating the next generation of scientific and technological talent and enhancing the nation’s scientific and technological competitiveness through world-class research.
- No.154
- Writer
- Date2025.07.01
- Views34388
153
Ewha Researchers to Lead Korea-EU Clean Hydrogen Innovation

Ewha has been officially selected as the lead organization for the “2025 BrainLink” program, an exchange support project for outstanding researchers organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and implemented by the National Research Foundation of Korea, with the aim to actively engage in international joint research and talent cultivation in the field of clean hydrogen. Professor Won Jae Choi, Professor Suyeon Cho, Professor Woo-Jae Kim, Professor Hoi Ri Moon, Professor Dong Ha Kim The BrainLink program is an MSIT-led initiative designed to promote exchanges between outstanding researchers across nations. Its primary goals are to enable leading Korean researchers to conduct joint research through cooperation with overseas research institutions and to cultivate next-generation talent with a global perspective. With its selection for this project, Ewha plans to lead research in the ESG sector, with a focus on the “Korea-EU Global Hydrogen Research Exchange and Advanced Human Resources Development Project Team.” Over the next two years and eight months, Ewha will receive a total of KRW 3.7 billion in government funding to drive the development of core original technologies across the entire lifecycle of clean hydrogen—from production to storage/transportation, and utilization— while also nurturing global hydrogen experts. Key researchers involved in the project include Project Director Woo-Jae Kim, along with Associate Professor Suyeon Cho of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Professors Dong Ha Kim and Hoi Ri Moon of the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience, and Assistant Professor Won Jae Choi of the Department of Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering at Ewha. In addition, Associate Professor Hyunchul Oh of the Department of Chemistry and Professor Kwangjin An of the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) will join the project as part of the collaborative research team. The Ewha project team will collaborate with leading hydrogen institutions across Europe, including Syensqo in Belgium—an industry partner of Ewha that has accumulated a diverse portfolio of joint research outcomes through over a decade of steady academia-industry collaboration—Air Liquide in France, Paris-Saclay University in France, TU Dresden and Leipzig University in Germany. Through these partnerships, the project team aims to promote substantial and sustainable international cooperation by facilitating joint research between domestic and international researchers as well as implementing overseas placement programs for students and researchers. This project will also focus on carrying out high-value-added research across the entire spectrum of hydrogen technologies. Concurrently, the team plans to develop hydrogen utilization technologies with global commercialization potential, thereby enhancing international competitiveness. Through this project, collaboration with leading EU hydrogen companies and universities will offer participants the opportunity to gain firsthand experience with world-class hydrogen technologies and demonstration infrastructure, while jointly developing advanced technologies in catalysis, storage, and utilization. This collaboration is expected to allow participants to learn from Europe’s advanced technologies and industrialization knowhow, helping them grow into globally-minded professionals through overseas placement programs. In addition, it will deepen their practical understanding of European hydrogen policies and market structures, thereby enhancing their prospects for future careers worldwide and technology commercialization.
- No.152
- Writer
- Date2025.05.29
- Views19409

Research News