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Dr. Dae-Hee Lee of the Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Research Center of KRIBB was appointed as a new member to the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (Y-KAST) by Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), a prestigious institution in the field of science.
Y-KAST, launched in February 2017, is Korean academy headed by talented young scientists aged below 45 years. Currently, the academy has 99 members and hosts a range of policy activities and international exchange programs.
The first membership screening was conducted through a public announcement and through a transparent and an unbiased evaluation process. Candidates were evaluated based on potential and creativity as well as research experience. Domestic research outcomes after completing a doctorate program were evaluated with the greatest merit. Young scientists with high potentials for the advancement of science and technology were finally selected as members.
Dr. Dae-Hee Lee of KRIBB previously developed a new type of genomic editing technology ‘CRISPR/Cpf1’, which can replace genomic scissors. He redesigned this invention into a genomic scissor interference technology. He has become the first scientist in the world to have demonstrated the mechanism of transcription inhibition, and the academy highly valued this achievement. Other scientists who were chosen include emerging stars in various fields of science; Professor Yongkeun Park of KAIST, who caught the attention of the international physics community with his creative investigations of ‘one-wave optical phase conjugation mirror’ and ‘scattering super-lens’ and Professor Myeongjin Bae of POSTECH, an emerging young female mathematician who solved complex problems in mathematical fluid dynamics.
Y-KAST started research exchange with young scientists from Japan, Sweden, US, and Israel. It launched a variety of activities, starting with the ‘Young Scientists Talk 2017’ held last year in November as an international policy forum for young scientists. The president of KAST, Dr. Myung-Chul Lee, stated “Our KAST spares no effort in helping talented young Korean scientists to establish international networks and grow into global leaders through Y-KAST,” he then stressed, “Y-KAST will reinforce its role as a forum for young scientists to voice their opinion on science policy and research environment.”