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Research 2026년 08월 01일 토요일

Beyond the Obvious

《Editor's Note: The biggest scientific advances do not always come from discovering something new. Sometimes, they begin by seeing familiar problems in a new light. This month's stories invite us to look beyond the obvious. Across artificial intelligence, semiconductor materials, nanotechnology, and biomedical science, UNIST researchers examined assumptions, structures, and interactions that can easily go unnoticed—but often determine how a system behaves. Their findings show how a deeper understanding of what is already there can open new directions for discovery.》 Questioning Assumptions “The first answer is not always the right one.” Scientific discovery often begins by asking whether the original question was complete. Several AI studies featured this month did just that, revisiting assumptions about how machines learn, forget, reason, and communicate. In federated learning, researchers found that differences in camera viewpoints—not only privacy constraints or data distribution—can significantly affect how well AI models learn together. Another team showed that machine unlearning involves more than simply removing data: forgetting can unintentionally alter knowledge that should remain. Elsewhere, a new communication framework showed that effective cooperation among AI agents depends less on exchanging more information than on exchanging the right information. Other studies reconsidered how AI systems reason across multiple views of the same scene and explored how quantum computing could reduce the cost of training robust AI models. Different problems, but a common starting point: questioning the assumptions built into them. Together, these studies point to a simple lesson: better answers often begin with better questions. ■ Rethinking Federated Learning: Camera Viewpoints Matter (CVPR 2026) ■ Making AI Forget—Without Losing What Matters (ICML 2026 ) ■ Smarter Communication for Collaborative AI (ICML 2026) ■ Rethinking Multiview Reasoning (ICML 2026) ■ Quantum Algorithm Cuts the Cost of Training Robust AI (ICML 2026) Looking Beneath the Surface “The smallest details often hold the biggest clues.” Across materials science, biology, nanotechnology, and semiconductor engineering, UNIST researchers examined structures and interactions that are easy to miss but can have an outsized influence on how materials, devices, and biological systems behave. In semiconductor research, the spacing between neighboring atoms emerged as a critical factor in controlling material properties and device performance. At the nanoscale, researchers examined how the surface chemistry of quantum dots influences their behavior in imaging. Another study turned to microscopic wrinkles, showing how their geometry can reshape optical properties. The same attention to underlying mechanisms extended to biology, where researchers found that familiar forms of cell death do not always follow the pathways scientists expect. Together, these studies show how seemingly minor details—from atomic spacing and surface chemistry to microscopic geometry and cellular mechanisms—can fundamentally change our understanding of a system. Sometimes, the most consequential discoveries begin with something that was there all along, waiting to be examined more closely. ■ Atomic Precision for Better Semiconductors (Chem. Mater., 2026) ■ A New Perspective on QD Imaging (Nano Converg., 2026) ■ Wrinkles that Reshape Photonics (Adv. Funct. Mater., 2026) ■ When Cell Death Follows Different Rules (Cell Death Differ., 2026) Across very different fields, these studies share a common instinct: question the assumption, examine the detail, and look again. What appears familiar can still hold unanswered questions. Looking beyond the obvious is not simply how these discoveries were made. It is how scientific discovery moves forward. Explore the latest issue and follow 『The UNIST Brief』 on LinkedIn to stay updated. Subscribe via LinkedIn

Research 2026년 07월 28일 화요일

Germ Cells and Somatic Cells Follow ‘Different Rules’ for Programmed Cell Death

Programmed cell death is a biological process in which cells die according to predetermined rules, removing unnecessary cells during development and safely eliminating damaged cells. When programmed cell death does not occur properly, cells between the developing fingers may remain, causing the fingers to remain joined together, while defective cells may continue to proliferate and develop into cancer. A new study has found that the rules governing programmed cell death differ depending on the type of cell. A research team led by Professor Anton Gartner of the UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, in collaboration with a team led by Research Fellow Nadin Memar at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Genomic Integrity, has identified different mechanisms that determine the programmed cell death in embryonic somatic cells and adult germ cells of Caenorhabditis elegans . According to the study, the signal that initiates programmed cell death was activated only in embryonic somatic cells destined to die. In germ cells, however, a 'two-step regulatory system' separated the activation of the death signal in response to DNA damage from the actual execution of cell death. When the researchers induced DNA damage using radiation, the cell death-initiating gene egl-1 was activated throughout the germline, but only a subset of germ cells in the late pachytene stage—when chromosomes are inspected before the cells develop into eggs—actually died. The researchers interpreted this two-step regulation as a safeguard that may help prevent the organism from losing all of its germ cells, which are essential for reproduction and species survival, while still eliminating severely damaged cells. Germ cells broadly prepare for death in response to damage signals, but only those at a particular developmental stage and meeting additional conditions proceed to die. This mechanism may allow the organism to preserve enough germ cells for reproduction while reducing the risk that damaged genetic information is passed on to the next generation. The researchers noted that further studies are needed to identify the specific downstream mechanisms that determine why only some germ cells ultimately undergo cell death. The team uncovered these findings by using gene-editing technology to attach fluorescent markers to four programmed cell death genes and their associated proteins. C. elegans is particularly well suited for tracking cell death because its body is transparent, it has only 959 somatic cells as an adult, and the birth and death of every cell—including the 131 cells eliminated during development—have been mapped in detail. Fluorescence imaging further showed that cell death-regulating proteins such as CED-4 and CED-3 change their cellular localization according to tissue type and developmental stage. This supports the researchers' hypothesis that programmed cell death is not controlled simply by switching genes on and off, but through a highly coordinated regulatory process that also involves dynamic changes in protein localization. The research team added, “Because gene families similar to the major programmed cell death genes in C. elegans are conserved in humans and other mammals, these findings could provide fundamental information for understanding diseases such as cancer, in which the regulation of programmed cell death is disrupted.” The team added, “The fluorescent imaging tools developed in this study could be used to investigate the conditions under which cells die or survive in model organisms.” This work was supported by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The findings were published online in Cell Death & Differentiation on June 10, 2026. Anton Gartner Professor, Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, UNIST IBS Center for Genomic Integrity (CGI) E: tgartner@unist.ac.kr William I. Suh IBS Public Relations Team E: willisuh@ibs.re.kr Story Source Materials provided by Institute of Basic Science. Notes for Editors The online version of the original article can be found HERE . Journal Reference Gokul Gopakumar, Afroza Aman, Stéphane GM Rolland, et al., "Endogenous expression and subcellular localization of core apoptosis regulators reveal key differences between embryonic and germline apoptosis in C. elegans," Cell Death Differ., (2026).

News 2026년 07월 21일 화요일

Fruto Lowers Barriers to Mental Health Support at UNIST

Originally introduced in 2024 as a digital health platform, Fruto has evolved into the primary gateway for campus mental health services at UNIST. A new study by researchers from UNIST and KAIST suggests that user-centered refinements to the platform fostered more positive attitudes toward seeking professional help and greater confidence in counseling, demonstrating the value of integrating digital health platforms with campus mental health services. Designed to promote the physical and mental well-being of the UNIST community, Fruto brings together self-screening tools, mental health information, counseling access, healthcare services, and campus program registration within a single mobile platform. Building on the original platform, the research team refined Fruto's mental health functions through a user-centered design process informed by student feedback. To evaluate those refinements, the researchers conducted a two-phase sequential mixed methods study in a real-world university counseling setting. The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) , examined how a campus-integrated, multidomain digital platform performs within an existing university healthcare system rather than as a stand-alone mental health application. The first phase of the study involved vignette-based prototype sessions and semistructured interviews with students to explore how they interacted with an early version of the platform in realistic help-seeking scenarios. The sessions identified three key priorities for refinement: 1) Providing trusted and identifiable sources of information, 2) Creating a more seamless experience across platform features, and 3) Offering self-discovery content that felt more relatable to students. These insights guided subsequent improvements to the platform's interface and user experience. The second phase evaluated the refined platform over an eight-week period. With baseline, participants reported more positive help-seeking attitudes and counseling expectations after using Fruto. While the study found no significant changes in negative attitudes or counseling-related concerns, the findings suggest that campus-integrated, multidomain digital platforms can strengthen positive, approach-oriented beliefs toward professional mental health support. Unlike many digital mental health applications that focus on individual functions, such as self-screening or psychoeducation, Fruto integrates these services within a single platform while connecting students directly with the UNIST Healthcare Center, creating a more continuous pathway from self-assessment to professional care. The platform's role within the university has continued to expand alongside its refinement. During the first half of 2026, 122 of 155 first-time requests (78.7%) for mental health services at the UNIST Healthcare Center were submitted through Fruto, compared with 136 of 430 requests (31.6%) in 2025. Since the Healthcare Center adopted Fruto as its primary intake system in March 2026, the platform has become the principal entry point for campus counseling and psychiatric services. Since its launch, Fruto has registered 852 users, facilitated 589 counseling requests, and recorded 3,291 interactions, including self-screenings and use of mental health resources. In addition to improving access for students, the platform also supports appointment scheduling, counselor assignment, case management, and follow-up, helping streamline mental healthcare delivery at the UNIST Healthcare Center. The study was led by Professor Sang-Il Lee, Director of the UNIST Healthcare Center and faculty member in the School of Liberal Arts, together with graduate researchers Myungsung Kim, Hyorim Kim, Jeong-in Heo, and Orane Farrah Lahcine from the Graduate School of Medical Science; Professor Hwang Kim of the Department of Design at UNIST; and Research Professor Seonmi Lee and Professor Dooyoung Jung of KAIST. “Positive expectations about professional counseling are often the first step toward improving mental well-being,” said Professor Sangil Lee, Director of the UNIST Healthcare Center. “We hope Fruto continues to lower barriers to support by providing members of our university community with a trusted pathway to professional care.”

News 2026년 07월 01일 수요일

UNIST Partners with Portal Innovations to Help Regional Biotech Companies Enter the U.S. Market

Entering the US market can be particularly challenging for early-stage biotechnology companies. Beginning in July, UNIST will launch a global mentoring program in partnership with Chicago-based life sciences innovation platform, Portal Innovations to help biotechnology and digital healthcare companies in Ulsan navigate the US market. Supported by Ulsan City, the program builds on the memorandum of understanding signed by UNIST and Portal Innovations in May 2026. It will connect participating companies with experienced mentors, investor networks, and commercialization expertise in the United States. Each participating company will receive approximately four months of one-on-one online mentoring tailored to its stage of development. Dedicated mentors will advise on fundraising, clinical development, commercialization strategy, and market entry, while introducing companies to US startup support programs and investor networks. The first company selected for the program is Oprimed Inc., an AI healthcare startup developing generative AI and statistical digital twin technologies to support clinical development decision-making. Through the mentoring program, Oprimed Inc. will receive tailored guidance from international experts on clinical development, commercialization strategy, and expansion into global markets. “Working with Portal Innovations marks an important step in helping Ulsan's biotechnology and digital healthcare companies compete internationally,” said Seungjae Baek, Dean of the Graduate School of Health Science and Technology at UNIST. “Together with Ulsan City, we will continue developing practical partnerships that help regional companies grow globally while strengthening Ulsan’s bio and digital healthcare sector.” UNIST plans to expand similar international partnerships that provide regional companies with greater access to global expertise, investment opportunities, and commercialization networks.

News 2026년 06월 23일 화요일

UNIST and Asan Medical Center Explore New Frontiers in Medical AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities in healthcare, from helping doctors detect disease earlier to anticipating complications and tailoring treatments to individual patients. Yet turning clinical data into tools that can support real-world medical decisions remains a significant challenge. On June 16, researchers from UNIST and Asan Medical Center came together to discuss how advances in AI, data science, and clinical medicine can help bridge that gap. A recurring question throughout the discussions was how AI can help clinicians make better decisions in complex healthcare settings. Researchers shared work on digital pathology, critical care analytics, predictive modeling, and other approaches aimed at turning clinical data into actionable insights for patient care. More than 40 researchers and clinicians from UNIST and Asan Medical Center participated in the discussions, bringing together expertise in AI, biomedical engineering, computer science, and clinical medicine. Topics ranged from disease diagnosis and prognosis to patient monitoring and treatment planning. Several presentations highlighted areas where AI is beginning to show promise in clinical practice, including the analysis of data generated in operating rooms and intensive care units, digital pathology for disease detection, and predictive models designed to anticipate patient outcomes. Researchers also discussed digital twin approaches that could help simulate disease progression and support more personalized treatment strategies. A recurring theme throughout the event was the importance of defining meaningful clinical problems before developing technical solutions. Participants emphasized that successful medical AI depends not only on stronger algorithms, but also on close engagement with clinicians who understand the realities of patient care. The discussions also highlighted how the two institutions bring different capabilities to the partnership. UNIST continues to expand its capabilities in large-scale medical data analysis through advanced AI research and high-performance computing resources. Asan Medical Center, meanwhile, is developing an Integrated Data Platform (IDP) to support the secure and efficient use of clinical data for research. Since launching their partnership earlier this year, the two institutions have been exploring new opportunities for researcher exchange and joint projects that combine clinical expertise with advances in artificial intelligence. Areas of interest include digital pathology, critical care analytics, and predictive models that can help doctors make more informed decisions and deliver more personalized care. “This gathering provided an opportunity to connect UNIST's strengths in artificial intelligence and data science with Asan Medical Center's clinical expertise,” said Dean Seungjae Baek of UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology. “By bringing researchers together around real challenges in healthcare, we hope to develop research that can ultimately improve patient outcomes.” Dong Hyun Yang, Director of the AI Innovation Support Office at Asan Medical Center, said, “Combining extensive clinical data with advanced AI technologies creates new opportunities to address complex challenges in healthcare. We look forward to expanding research that supports more accurate predictions, better clinical decision-making, and increasingly personalized patient care.”

Research 2026년 03월 18일 수요일

New Insights Reveal How PM2.5 Weakens Cerebrovascular Function and Impacts Brain Health

Abstract Particulate matter (PM2.5) is a pervasive air pollutant increasingly linked to neurovascular dysfunction, but the cellular mechanisms remain unclear. We identify the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as a key endothelial sensor of PM2.5 that initiates mitochondrial stress and Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Across complementary inhalation and intratracheal instillation models, integrated with spatial transcriptomics, high-resolution imaging, and in vitro assays, endothelial mitochondrial injury and oxidative stress constricted cerebral vessels and reduced perfusion. These vascular insults propagated to astrocytes, where calmodulin-dependent mislocalization of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) disrupted perivascular water homeostasis and glymphatic exchange. System-level consequences included dendritic degeneration, microglial activation, and hypoxic stress, with the hippocampus showing heightened vulnerability. Spatial transcriptomics resolved region- and cell type–specific injury and synaptic remodeling that bulk RNA sequencing failed to detect, while endothelial readouts evidenced canonical AHR engagement. Collectively, the data establish endothelial mitophagy as a metabolic checkpoint linking environmental particulate exposure to gliovascular dysfunction and impaired brain clearance, and nominate AHR signaling as a potential therapeutic target to preserve brain homeostasis under chronic air pollution. These mechanistic links provide a framework for interpreting epidemiological associations between PM2.5 exposure and neurodegenerative disease risk. Researchers from UNIST, in collaboration with the Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI) and the Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), have identified the neurotoxic mechanism by which PM2.5—fine airborne particulate matter—damages cerebrovascular health and adversely impacts brain function. This breakthrough was a collaborative effort led by Professor Kyemyung Park from the Graduate School of Health and Science (HST) at UNIST, with significant contributions from Dr. Do-Geun Kim of the Dementia Research Group at KBRI and Dr. Kyuhong Lee of KIT. Although PM2.5 has long been associated with respiratory and cardiovascular issues, its direct effects on the brain and the underlying pathways have remained largely unclear. To address this, the research focused on endothelial cells lining brain blood vessels, which are essential for maintaining a healthy neural environment. The study revealed that PM2.5 activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) within cerebrovascular endothelial cells, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction—the cell’s energy-producing organelles. This mitochondrial impairment reduces cellular energy production, impairing blood vessel regulation and ultimately decreasing blood flow to the brain. Furthermore, disruptions were observed in the communication between blood vessels and neighboring cells such as astrocytes. These alterations can interfere with the glymphatic system, the brain’s waste clearance pathway, potentially compromising overall brain homeostasis. Figure 1. Schematic image, illustrating the vascular-first mechanism of PM2.5 neurotoxicity. The hippocampus—a region vital for memory and learning—was particularly susceptible. Given its key role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, these findings provide a scientific basis for understanding how environmental pollutants may contribute to long-term cognitive decline. This research offers a comprehensive view of how PM2.5 exposure can trigger a cascade of effects, starting with cerebrovascular impairment and extending to broader changes in the brain environment. Professor Kyemyung Park of UNIST remarked, "We identified how PM2.5 impairs energy metabolism in vascular cells, leading to systemic changes in brain function. This provides a foundational link between environmental pollution and neurodegenerative processes." Dr. Do-Geun Kim from KBRI, co-corresponding author, stated, "This study demonstrates that PM2.5 can influence brain health by disrupting cerebrovascular function, revealing a potential pathway through which environmental pollutants impact cognition." Dr. Kyuhong Lee from KIT, another co-corresponding author, added, "By accurately simulating the toxicological properties of Korean ambient PM, our findings closely reflect real-world exposure risks, offering valuable insights for environmental health policies and future research." The findings of this research have been published online in the Journal of Hazardous Materials on January 27, 2026. This study has been supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), the Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), and initiatives, including the Bio-Medical Technology Development Program and Early-Career Research Project. Journal Reference Kyu-Sung Kim, Dong Im Kim, Sungsu Hwang, et al., "PM2.5 impairs gliovascular coupling via endothelial AHR–mitochondrial signaling in mice," J. Hazard. Mater., (2026).

News 2026년 02월 09일 월요일

UNIST and COMWEL Partner to Build Integrated Healthcare–Industry–Engineering Model

On February 9, UNIST has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (COMWEL) to establish a collaborative model integrating healthcare, industry, and engineering, centered on the COMWEL Ulsan Hospital (name tentative). The agreement marks the first step toward developing a public healthcare innovation ecosystem tailored to Ulsan by combining medical services with advanced research and industrial expertise. The hospital, currently under construction and scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, will serve as the core platform for this initiative. Under the agreement, the two institutions will cooperate in key areas, including ▲ Exchange & Support of Medical Professionals and Medical Scientists, ▲ Demonstration Research for the Improved Industrial Accident Medical Fee Systems & Application of Rehabilitation Technologies, ▲ Joint Research based on Medical AI & Biomedical Engineering, and ▲ Establishment of Co-growth Model Linking Healthcare, Industry, and engineering. Drawing on its strengths in science and engineering, UNIST will support the hospital in developing into a distinctive public medical institution that integrates clinical services with research and innovation. The two organizations will form a working-level committee to define and implement collaborative projects in stages. UNIST President Chong Rae Park said, "This agreement marks the starting point of cooperation where healthcare, research, and industry can grow together around the COMWEL Ulsan Hospital. We will work closely with COMWEL to ensure that UNIST's research outcomes are applied in real clinical settings and ultimately contribute to improving citizens' quality of life." COMWEL President Jongkil Park added, "The convergence of UNIST's medical, industrial, and engineering capabilities with COMWEL Ulsan Hospital is both timely and essential. We hope this partnership will become a benchmark for public healthcare innovation not only in Ulsan, but across Korea." The two institutions further plan to expand demonstration research in rehabilitation medicine using advanced technologies, such as medical AI and biosensors, aiming to develop Ulsan into a leading hub for public healthcare collaboration where industrial accident treatment and cutting-edge research converge.

News 2026년 01월 27일 화요일

UNIST and DIRAMS Hold First Joint Symposium on Space Medicine

UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology (HST) and the Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) jointly hosted the '1st UNIST-DIRAMS Space Medicine Symposium' at the University–Industry Cooperation Building on January 26, 2026. The event brought together leading space medicine experts nationwide, marking a new step in domestic collaboration. The symposium served as the first formal platform for cooperation between the two institutions in the field of space medicine. About 80 researchers and officials attended, including representatives from UNIST, DIRAMS, and the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS). UNIST President Chong Rae Park is delivering a welcome remark at the symposium on January 26, 2026. The event was organized to share recent research findings and strengthen collaboration on understanding how space environments affect human health. Participants exchanged views on medical risks associated with spaceflight and explored ways to translate research outcomes into future missions. The program opened with welcome remarks from UNIST President Chong Rae Park and DIRAMS President Chang-hun Rhee, who highlighted the growing importance of space medicine as a key research field for future space activities. Professor Haig Aintablian, Director of the UCLA Space Medicine Center, delivered a keynote under the theme "Our Pursuit of the Final Frontier." The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Haig Aintablian, Director of the UCLA Space Medicine Center, under the theme "Our Pursuit of the Final Frontier." He outlined key physiological changes experienced in space and emphasized the need for continued medical research to support human activity beyond Earth. Dr. Manwoo Lee of DIRAMS followed with a presentation on regional accelerator-based research infrastructure and its potential role in advancing space medicine studies. The '1st UNIST-DIRAMS Space Medicine Symposium' at the University–Industry Cooperation Building on January 26, 2026. The afternoon sessions focused on two major themes. The first focused on the effects of microgravity on the human body, including changes in mitochondrial function, immune response, and muscle loss during spaceflight. Researchers also introduced emerging technologies aimed at mitigating these risks. The second session addressed space radiation and its impact on human health. Presentations covered radiation exposure assessment, dosimetry research, and the development of detection systems for use in low-Earth orbit and future lunar missions. DIRAMS President Rhee Chang-hun delivered a welcome remark at the symposium. Seungjae Baek, Head of UNIST Graduate School of HST, said that research in space medicine is essential for safe and sustainable space exploration. "Astronauts operate in extreme environments," he noted. "Scientific preparation is critical if they are to carry out missions safely and effectively." President Rhee of DIRAMS emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the field. "Space medicine requires close cooperation across medicine, engineering, and radiation science," he said. "By combining our strengths with UNIST, we aim to build a distinctive research platform focused on protecting astronaut health." Through the symposium, UNIST and DIRAMS agreed to expand joint research efforts and continue building a long-term partnership in space medicine and radiation science.

News 2025년 11월 27일 목요일

UNIST–Ulsan City Roundtable Explores Global Trends and Growth Strategies in Biohealth

UNIST, in partnership with the Ulsan Metropolitan City, hosted a roundtable meeting on Ulsan Biohealth Industry on November 27, 2025. Took place at the Industry–University Cooperation Building of UNIST, the meeting brought together representatives from academia, industry, research institutes, and government. Attendees included UNIST Vice President Sung Chul Bae for Academic Affairs, Dean Seung Jae Baek of UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, Vice Mayor Hyo Dae An for Economic Affairs of Ulsan Metropolitan City, and leaders from regional biohealth companies. Key agenda included trends in the global biohealth industry, an overview of Ulsan’s international expansion support programs, and case studies from companies that have benefited from these initiatives. Recent achievements and global expansion strategies were shared at the Ulsan Biohealth Industry Roundtable. During the session, participating companies presented tangible outcomes from Ulsan City's overseas expansion support program—operated by UNIST—including examples of global network building, tailored business development support, and participation in international exhibitions and conferences. These cases highlighted both emerging collaboration opportunities and strategies for entering global markets. Ulsan City also gathered feedback from companies regarding on-site challenges and policy needs, which will inform future support initiatives and the development of new programs for the region's biohealth sector. Vice President Sung Chul Bae of UNIST shares insights at the Ulsan Biohealth Industry Roundtable. "The innovation and determination of regional biohealth companies will shape the future of Ulsan's biohealth industry," said Vice President Sung Chul Bae of UNIST. "UNIST will continue to strengthen practical, field-driven collaboration so that our research outcomes can translate into real impact for industry." "The biohealth sector is experiencing rapid technological change and market growth," added Vice Mayor Hyo Dae An. "To stay competitive, it is essential that we identify market trends early and respond proactively. Ulsan City will work closely with academia, industry, and research partners to reinforce a strong collaborative framework." With continued support from Ulsan Metropolitan City, UNIST plans to expand its overseas market support programs for biohealth and digital health companies next year, further accelerating the region’s growth as a hub for future biohealth innovation.

News 2025년 11월 13일 목요일

Successful Completion of 2025 Digital Healthcare Hackathon, Fostering Cross-Disciplinary Innovation in Medical Technology

The 2025 Digital Healthcare Hackathon concluded successfully, bringing together students from medical, engineering, and nursing disciplines to collaboratively develop innovative solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. Held over two days at the Industry-Academic Cooperation Center of UNIST from October 8 to 9, the event saw 69 students from UNIST, University of Ulsan (U of U) College of Medicine, and Yonsei University College of Nursing (YUCON) form cross-disciplinary teams to address real-world medical issues through creative technological approaches. This hackathon is part of the K-BIO STAR Project, a national R&D initiative by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), which is designed to explore new solutions at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The program aims to cultivate next-generation professionals with expertise in medical science and bio-convergence, through the joint UNIST-Ulsan University Health Science and Technology (UU-HST) Program. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on topics such as medical imaging diagnostics, patient monitoring, telemedicine, emergency care, and drug selection. Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data, teams proposed solutions that push beyond existing healthcare service limitations. A student is presenting a solution to medical problems with a creative idea at the hackathon. The Grand Prize was awarded to TEAM BROCCOLi for their innovative AI-based personalized diet and skin diagnosis app tailored for children with atopic dermatitis. While the Excellence Prize was awarded to TEAM Sixth Sense and Team D.U.B.A.I and Team K-dementia_hunters for showcasing a range of cutting-edge ideas—from sensor-fusion smart mobility aids for visually impaired individuals to AI reminders supporting patients with dementia. Winning teams will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions on a global stage, including participation in WHX Dubai (Formerly Arab Health) in February 2026 and the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Program, to further develop their ideas internationally. The judging panel comprised Co-Founder Kihong Bae of Strong Ventures LLC, Professor Anna Lee of Yonsei University College of Nursing, Seungjae Baek, Head of UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, and Professor Sungchan Park of Ulsan University College of Medicine. Kihong Bae remarked, "Analyzing healthcare challenges and developing business plans over just two days was an exhilarating experience. The synergy among teams composed of engineering, medical, and nursing students was remarkable and truly demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration." Seungjae Baek, Head of UNIST Graduate School of HST, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "Bringing together students from diverse disciplines to define medical problems and craft solutions was incredibly meaningful. It provided a valuable firsthand experience of the transformative potential of digital healthcare. UNIST remains committed to fostering convergent talents at the nexus of healthcare and science and technology." Dean Hyeon Kyeong Lee of YUCON expressed her appreciation, saying, "It was inspiring to see students respect each other’s ideas and collaborate across disciplines. I hope this hackathon becomes a catalyst for nurturing talent capable of driving meaningful change in healthcare." This event was organized jointly by the UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, the UNIST Smart Healthcare Research Center, and the Ulsan University College of Medicine, with support from the UNIST Startup Support Team.

News 2025년 11월 09일 일요일

UNIST and DIRAMS Expand Collaboration in Future Medicine through New Partnership

UNIST and Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) have renewed their partnership to jointly advance the frontiers of future medicine. The two institutions announced an expansion of their collaboration in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, aerospace medicine, radiopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. On November 6, the two organizations reaffirmed their commitment through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at the Main Administration Building of UNIST—five years after their initial agreement in 2019. This renewed partnership aims to deepen cooperation across key areas of future medical technology while fostering talent development through student internship programs and collaborative training initiatives. UNIST brings its strong research capabilities rooted in science and technology, while DIRAMS contributes extensive clinical expertise and medical technology. By combining these strengths, the partnership seeks to establish a national hub for innovative future medicine research. From left are DIRAMS President Chang-hun Rhee and UNIST President Chong Rae Park. President Park of UNIST stated, "When science and technology intersect with medicine, new industries are born," adding, "UNIST aims to lead this convergence through innovative research in AI and aerospace medicine, ultimately translating breakthroughs into tangible improvements in healthcare practice." The two institutions also plan to leverage their expertise in AI and radiopharmaceuticals to bolster the emerging space industry in the Southeastern region of Korea—Ulsan, Busan, and Gyeongnam—especially with the establishment of the Korea Space Agency. Their goal is to build a regional medical and industrial network centered on space medicine research, creating a sustainable future healthcare ecosystem. Expressing optimism, President Rhee of DIRAMS stated, "This collaboration is more than just a formal agreement; it will produce tangible results. We anticipate significant achievements in radiopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and AI-driven healthcare solutions." The MoU signing ceremony was attended by UNIST President Chong Rae Park, Vice President Sung Chul Bae for Academic Affairs, Director Seungjae Baek of the UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology, DIRAMS President Chang-hun Rhee, and Director SangYeon Hwang of DIRAMS Research Center. Moving forward, the two organizations plan to institutionalize joint research initiatives and develop concrete models for regional and national leadership in future medical innovation.

News 2025년 06월 24일 화요일

UNIST and U of U College of Medicine Forge Partnership to Enhance Student Mental Health and Development Support

On June 16, the UNIST Healthcare Center entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Ulsan College of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as 'U of U College of Medicine') aimed at advancing health promotion and fostering mutual collaboration. The agreement was formalized during a ceremony attended by Director Doyoung Jung of the UNIST Healthcare Center, Director Youngji Jeon from the U of U College of Medicine, along with other key representatives. Under this partnership, both institutions will collaborate across various domains, including health service support, education, program development, and joint research initiatives. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines plans to enhance health service linkage and support, foster the training of specialized personnel, develop mental health programs, and engage in joint research and educational activities related to health. This collaboration builds upon the foundation established by the "Academic Exchange Agreement for Physician–Scientist Training" signed in July 2022. It also leverages the achievements of the UNIST-U of U College of Medicine Health Sciences & Technology (HST) Program, thereby expanding the scope of joint efforts. As part of their efforts to realize an interdisciplinary model through the HST program, the two institutions will exchange student counseling practices and extend their collaboration to encompass student health management alongside education. Through this agreement, a preventive-oriented health promotion system integrating education, research, and on-site services will be established. Notably, joint planning and operation of health seminars and mental health enhancement programs targeting students and faculty will be implemented. Director Doyoung Jung of UNIST Healthcare Center stated, "UNIST and U of U College of Medicine share a common vision of future healthcare and scientific-technological convergence, and through this partnership, we aim to establish a practical support system for students' mental health and development." He further added, "We will deliver effective, prevention-focused mental health management and programs through the expertise and collaboration of both institutions."