Achievements in Information, Life Sciences, and Convergence Fields Highlight Korea’s Research Competitiveness

(From left) Prof. Heui-Seok Lim (School of Computer Science), Prof. Kyungmi Lee (Department of Biomedical Sciences), Prof. Sung-Kyu Seo (Department of Electronic and Information Engineering)

Korea University (President Dongwon Kim) announced that three of its research achievements have been selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “2025 Top 100 Excellent National R&D Outcomes” on December 23, 2025. The selected researchers are Prof. Heui-Seok Lim (School of Computer Science), Prof. Kyungmi Lee (Department of Biomedical Sciences), and Prof. Sung-Kyu Seo (Department of Electronic and Information Engineering).

The Top 100 Excellent National R&D Outcomes program has been implemented annually since 2006 to discover and promote outstanding research accomplishments generated through national R&D programs. This year, 100 finalists were selected following expert evaluations and public verification from among 970 nominees recommended by ministries and government agencies.

Korea University’s selections span the fields of information & electronics, life sciences & marine science, and convergence research, demonstrating the university’s strong capabilities from fundamental science to advanced technology and commercialization-driven convergence research.

Prof. Heui-Seok Lim was selected in the information & electronics category for developing a Korean language-optimized generative and retrieval AI model. His research significantly enhanced the accuracy and applicability of Korean-language AI technologies by overcoming limitations of conventional general-purpose models.

Prof. Kyungmi Lee was selected in the life sciences & marine category for identifying the role of CD244—an immune regulatory factor in tumor-associated macrophages—in refractory recurrent cancers and presenting new therapeutic potential based on this mechanism. Her work provides a novel immuno-oncology approach by elucidating immune regulation within the tumor microenvironment and overcoming limitations of existing treatment modalities.

Prof. Sung-Kyu Seo was selected in the convergence field for the development and commercialization of a digital inline holography-based personalized immune diagnostics system, in collaboration with faculty startup MetaImmuneTech Inc. The research integrates AI and biophotonics technologies into in vitro diagnostic devices, demonstrating the feasibility of personalized immune function monitoring.

Selected research outcomes receive an official certificate and plaque from the Minister of Science and ICT, and are eligible for follow-up support including assistance for advancing technology readiness levels, commercialization, and subsequent research.

Link : https://www.korea.ac.kr/ko/552/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGa3VzdG9yeSUyRmtvJTJGYXJ0Y2xWaWV3LmRvJTNGYXJ0Y2xTZXElM0QyODIwOCUyNnNpdGVJZCUzRGtvJTI2cGFnZSUzRDElMjZmaW5kVHlwZSUzRCUyNmZpbmRXb3JkJTNEJTI2ZmluZENsU2VxJTNEJTI2cmdzQmduZGVTdHIlM0QlMjZyZ3NFbmRkZVN0ciUzRCUyNg%3D%3D