Chonnam National University, Three Receive Minister of Education Award for BK21 Project

Research Professor Gong Nahyung,
Doctoral Students Jung Songah and Cha Beomseok

(from left) Gong Nahyung, Jeong Songa, Cha Beomseok

Chonnam National University has produced a record number of three awardees in the ‘4th Phase BK21 Project Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Commendation’.

According to Chonnam National University on the 19th, this commendation is awarded by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea to graduate students and early-career researchers participating in the 4th Phase BK21 Project who have achieved outstanding research results or demonstrated high growth potential.

This year, 29 individuals were selected from among nominees recommended by 583 educational research teams nationwide, with Chonnam National University producing multiple awardees based on its excellent research capabilities.

Among the awardees, Academic Research Professor Gong Nahyung (Education and Research Group for Fostering Creative Convergence Future Talents Based on Regional Language and Literature, led by Jang Ilgu) has been actively conducting research in the fields of Korean language education and semantics-pragmatics. Since August 2022, during her tenure, she has published 16 KCI-listed papers (10 as sole author, 5 as first author, 1 as corresponding author) and 3 co-authored papers, received two Early-Career Researcher Awards, and achieved research outcomes through presentations at domestic and international conferences and participation in research projects.

Jung Songah, a doctoral student (Department of Polymer Engineering, advisor Kim Hyungwoo) in the Advanced Chemical Materials Education and Research Group (led by Yoon Hyunseok), has conducted research on polymer structure design and synthesis, publishing 17 SCI papers with an average impact factor of 7.9 since joining the BK21 project in September 2020. Of these, 6 papers, with an average impact factor of 11.5, were published as first author in the top 10% of JCR journals. She has also gained international recognition for her research achievements through 9 presentations at domestic and international conferences.

Cha Beomseok, a doctoral student (Department of Mechanical Engineering, advisor Park Jinsu) in the Future Innovative Mechanical Technology Talent Development Education and Research Group (led by Jung Seunghoon), is pioneering new interdisciplinary fields in acoustic microfluidics. Since joining the BK21 project in March 2022, he has published 4 SCI first-author papers in the top 10% of JCR journals (including 1 cover paper) and 5 co-authored papers (including 1 cover paper). He has also registered 1 patent, filed 5 patent applications (including 1 international), and received 5 academic awards.

Notably, Jung Songah and Cha Beomseok were also selected last year as the first recipients of the newly established ‘Chonnam National University Graduate School Talent Award’.

This award was established to identify and encourage the best talents at Chonnam National University through a comprehensive evaluation of research achievements, personal statements, and research proposals. The education and research groups to which these awardees belong are recognized as outstanding research teams, ranking in the top 20% in the interim evaluation for future and innovative talents, and are leading the enhancement of Chonnam National University's research competitiveness by producing world-class academic achievements.

Kim Suhyeong, Vice President for Research at Chonnam National University, stated, “Through the 4th Phase BK21 Project, Chonnam National University is actively supporting the next generation of scholars to demonstrate creative and independent research capabilities,” and added, “We will continue to improve institutional innovation and graduate programs so that our research talents can contribute to enhancing national competitiveness.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.