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MOU between KAIST and Sun Medical Center on "Mobile Health Care"
KAIST and Sun Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in front of 20 attendees including KAIST President Steve Kang and Sun Medical Center Director Seung-Hoon Sun on June 9 at KAIST to expand medical services through medical and electronic telecommunication technology.
The two organizations will cooperate on the research and development of mobile healthcare, systems for the medical industry, remote medical treatment for overseas patients, and working toward improving national healthcare. The two parties will also develop wearable devices and mobile sensors which will become a welcome addition to the global healthcare market.
KAIST President Steve Kang explained, “With Sun Medical Center’s 50 years of experience in medical technology and KAIST’s World University Ranking of 20th in information technology, a new brainchild in the mobile healthcare field will be produced.”
In the meantime, KAIST’s College of Information Science and Technology is making developments in mobile healthcare systems which can accumulate medical information and apply it to medical services by using personal bio-information data. Ambitious new projects are underway, such as the “Dr. M Project“ which launched in March with 28 full-time researchers.
2014.06.14 View 7024 -
MOU among KAIST, Chungnam National University, and Chungnam National University Hospital for "Fusion Medical Science Research"
KAIST, Chungnam National University, and Chungnam National University Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with attendees including KAIST President Steve Kang, Chungnam National University President Sang-Chul Jung, and the President of Chungnam National University Hospital, Bong-Ok Kim on June 3 at KAIST.
With the MOU, KAIST expects to continue the development of outstanding individuals in the medical science field, advance global research in biosciences, and establish Chungnam National University Hospital and KAIST Fusion Medical School in Sejong City.
The details of the MOU include educational collaborations such as course development and a combined registration system, cooperation on basic and clinical research, shared use of research facilities and equipment, and active collaboration for professional personnel for education, research, and treatment. The three parties agreed to form a joint council to pursue the specifications.
President Steve Kang said, “Medical science and medical engineering, which can elevate the quality of human life, are the key disciplines which universities are targeting for the future. KAIST will prepare for Korea’s future by developing elite professionals and performing world-renowned research in the merged fields of science and medicine.”
2014.06.07 View 7121 -
KAIST Featured in the 2014 QS Showcase-AMEA (Asia, Middle East, and Africa)
The QS World University Rankings has released the fourth Edition of QS Showcase-AMEA (Asia, Middle East, and Africa) in January 2014, both in print and online, which is an annual magazine presenting the progress of the top universities in these regions, as well as highlighting their breakthroughs and improvements.
The 2014 QS Showcase-AMEA included an interview with President Steve Kang, covering KAIST and its role in Korea, student mobility, as well as Korean higher education.
For the interview, please go to: http://qsshowcase.com/main/korea-casts-its-net-more-widely-to-stay-on-top/ .
2014.06.07 View 6700 -
Professor Jang Wook Choi Received the Scientist of the Month Award from Daejeon City
Professor Jang Wook Choi of the Graduate School of EEWS (Energy, Environment, Water, and Sustainability), KAIST, received the “Scientist of the Month Award” from the City of Daejeon.
Mayor Hong-chul Yeom visited KAIST on May 30, 2014 and presented the award to Professor Choi.
Professor Choi has achieved research excellence over a period of time in the field of rechargeable battery, supercapacitor, and materials chemistry.
In the picture below: President Steve Kang (left), Professor Jang Wook Choi (middle), and Mayor Hong-chul Yeom (right)
2014.06.05 View 7482 -
MOU for Intellectual Property Protection and Patent Litigation System Development
KAIST and the Patent Court of Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate for the protection of intellectual property rights and education of patent litigation system. About 20 attendees including President Steve Kang of KAIST and Chief Justice Young-Ho Kang of the Patent Court of Korea met on May 30 at KAIST.
Through the MOU, KAIST will provide technical advice needed for the patent application process. Likewise, the Patent Court will support KAIST researchers and students by offering patent application classes and patent trial observation programs.
After the ceremony, the Patent Court hosted a class under the theme “A more realistic patent process for scientists.”
The first speaker, the Honorable Chun-Woo Son, a former judge, shared a story in which a research achievement was wasted because of scientists’ ignorance of the patent system and its procedures.
The next speaker was Dong-Yeob Kim, a patent examiner. In his lecture, titled “Proper Compensation for Inventions,” Kim emphasized the economic importance of registering patents even if the research achievements of scientists are minor.”
To further this MOU, KAIST and the Patent Court of Korea will continue to expand their cooperation into the adjacent scientific community, Daedeok Innopolis.
2014.06.03 View 7073 -
KAIST's graduate, the first Ph.D. holder in games, is appointed professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing
Dr. Tae-Woo Park
The academic community recognizes the study in games as a field for research
Dr. Tae-Woo Park, a graduate of KAIST, has been appointed a professor at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. He will start working in August at the Department of Telecommunications, Information Studies, and Media, the College of Communications Arts, MSU.
Dr. Park received a doctoral degree in games, the first of its kind in KAIST. His research focus is game design, research, and development.
Dr. Park has strived to enhance user experience by incorporating various aspects of everyday life into games and made efforts to introduce measures limiting or preventing game addiction, a major concern among young people in South Korea. Professor Joon-Hwa Song of Computer Science at KAIST, Dr. Park's advisor, commented that "KAIST graduates have been the main actors in the development of Korea's gaming industry. Our efforts to systemize the field of games into an academic discipline have been recognized through Dr. Park's appointment."
Dr. Park said that he plans "to apply mobile device and ubiquitous technology and develop games that will not only entertain users but also help them have a better life.”
2014.05.29 View 10267 -
Discovery Channel Featured "TransWall" Developed by Professor Woohun Lee
One of the most popular television programs at Discovery Channel in Canada, Daily Planet, a daily science magazine show that delivers a fascinating mix of documentaries and features, aired "TransWall” (http://vimeo.com/70391422) developed by Professor Woohun Lee of Industrial Design at KAIST.
TransWall is a two-sided touchable transparent display with a surface transducer incorporated in the display. It enables users to see, hear, or even touch people standing on the other side of the display, thereby enhancing interactive experiences when playing games or communicating.
TransWall was introduced at the 2014 ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) held in Toronto, Canada, from April 26 to May 1. The Channel learned about the technology at the conference and produced the show on April 30, 2014.
To watch the show, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GGP59S7T2k&list=PLXmuftxI6pTXuyjjrGFlcN5YFTKZinDhK.
2014.05.29 View 8798 -
Establishment Agreement for KAIST-Poongsan Future Technology Research Center
KAIST and Poongsan Corporation agreed to found the KAIST-Poongsan Future Technology Research Center and held a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding in front of 30 attendees including KAIST President Steve Kang and Poongsan Chairman Jin Ryu on May 27 at KAIST.
The Research Center will develop basic technology in the fields of defense and high tech materials as well as build a new foundation for future Poongsan projects. Research areas include technologies for new materials, propulsion control, and defense.
To further this endeavor, Poongsan Corporation will support the KAIST-Poongsan Future Technology Research Center for 3 years through an investment of USD 2.95 million, personnel, and technology.
An agreement was made between KAIST and Poongsan to establish the Future Technology Research Center.
2014.05.29 View 7329 -
President Steve Kang Received an Honorary Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University
At its 71st Commencement held on May 20, 2014, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in Teaneck, NJ, conferred an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Science) on President Steve Kang. FDU is President Kang’s alma mater. He received a bachelor’s degree from FDU in electrical engineering in 1970.
For details, please refer to the press statement released by FDU on May 20, 2014.
Fairleigh Dickinson University holds 71st Commencement on May 20
During the Commencement ceremony, the University will confer honorary degrees on Joyce Carol Oates, Rachel Robinson, and Sung Mo “Steve” Kang (BSEE’70).
http://inside.fdu.edu/prpt/71st_commencement.html
2014.05.25 View 7111 -
KAIST Conducts Safety Awareness Campaign for Research and Experiment
KAIST had an opening ceremony to hold its first “Safety Awareness Campaign for Research and Experiment” on 13th May. Over 100 people attended the ceremony, including President Steve Kang, Provost Gyu-Ho Park, and the Dean of the Administration Office Jae-Nam Lee, as well as the Chief of the Department of Research Environment Safety from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea.
On the day of the event, Year 2014 was proclaimed as the first year of accident-free KAIST research and laboratory facilities.
A certificate of merit was awarded to promote safe and comfortable research environments. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, was selected as the department with the best lab safety management and the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the second.
Along with the merit award ceremony, the results of the “7th Research and Laboratory Safety Campaign Contest” were announced: “Lady First When Dating, Safety First When Experimenting!” written by Jong-Su Bae from the Department of Mechanical Engineering was selected as the best slogan, and Hyeon-Chae Noh from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received the award for best poster.
President Steve Kang said, “KAIST is constantly striving to establish a comprehensive safety management system and to promote a safe research and laboratory environment,” and “To ensure the safety of KAIST and its members, we will be as supportive as possible.”
Below is the winner of the poster from the 7th Research and Laboratory Safety Campaign Contest.
What Would You Rather Wear? Gloves or Bandages?
Gloves worn in laboratories are protection from hazardous materials that students and researchers may come in contact with. The poster emphasizes the importance of wearing protective gloves when conducting research or experiment.
2014.05.19 View 7534 -
Opening of International Kitchen at KAIST
KAIST has renovated its International Kitchen on campus which will serve 850 international faculty members and students for their cooking, meal service, and networking. The kitchen, composed of a kitchen and cafeteria, is equipped to prepare a wide variety of food, with a large kitchen countertop, cabinets, and a refrigerator to accommodate everything necessary to cook and prepare meals for large groups.
An opening ceremony to celebrate the brand new International Kitchen was held on May 15, 2014, with the participation of President Steve Kang and international members.
President Kang said, “KAIST has been working quite hard to provide its international faculty and students with the best possible environment for their education and research. We offer a full coverage of healthcare and free dormitories to our international students, as well as newly built apartments to our international faculty members. The International Kitchen is an extension of such efforts.”
The international students or faculty who wish to use the International Kitchen need to register for the membership. The kitchen will be voluntarily operated and managed by the registered members.
2014.05.19 View 6142 -
Immune Evasion Mechanism of Hepatitis C Virus Revealed
Professor Ui-Cheol Shin
Inhibiting major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class I protein expression, T cell immune response is evaded.
The research will be a great help to the development of C hepatitis vaccine.
Roughly 1-2% of the population in Korea is known to be infected with Hepatitis C. Most Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections progress to a chronic disease and can cause liver cirrhosis or liver cancer, which may lead to death.
Unlike Hepatitis type A or B, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C Virus and therefore avoiding exposure to the virus is the best known method of prevention. However, a team of researchers at KAIST has produced research results, which may contribute significantly to the vaccine development.
KAIST Graduate School of Medical Sciences & Engineering’ Professor Ui-Cheol Shin and his team have successfully identified why Hepatitis C Virus does not cause an immune response within the human body. The research results were published in the May edition of The Journal of Gastroenterology, a world-renowned journal in the field of gastroenterology.
The immune response occurs to eliminate the virus that has invaded our body. During this process, a major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class I plays a key role in inducing T cell response, which is needed for the elimination of virus-infected cells.
When a cell is infected by a virus, a substance called interferon causes the increased expression of major histocompatibility complex class I. T cell recognizes the increased MHC class I and therefore finds the virus-infected cells.
However, the effect that Hepatitis C Virus has on major histocompatibility complex class I has not been clearly identified until now.
The research team has revealed, using a cell culture for infection systems, that the Hepatitis C Virus suppresses the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I. Also, the mechanism to prove that HCV activates a protein called PKR within the cell to inhibit MHC class I protein expression was identified at a molecular level.
In this study, researchers established the hypothesis that regulating PKR protein in the cell can enhance the T cell immune response, which was then proved through experiments.
Professor Ui-Cheol Shin said, “There are a lot of new drugs to treat Hepatitis C Virus, while its vaccine has not been developed yet. Revealing the HCV immune evasion mechanism will help stimulate momentum for the HCV vaccine development.”
The first author of the journal, Dr. Won-Seok Kang is a graduate from Yonsei College of Medicine. After earning his medical degree, he has continued his training as a ‘doctor-scientist’ at KAIST Graduate School of Medical Sciences & Engineering to study Hepatitis C Virus immune evasion mechanism in this research.
Hepatitis C Virus activates PKR-eIF2a pathway, which inhibits the major histocompatibility complex class I, and therefore weakens the T cell activation to the viral activity.
2014.05.19 View 10415