KSEA Honors
1. Honorary Membership
Finalist: Dr. Ester Yang, retired from Abbott Diagnostics
Dr. Esther Yang earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, her Ph.D. in Bio-Physical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
With over thirty-five years of experience in the diagnostics industry, Dr. Yang has led teams in the US, Germany, Japan, and China. At Abbott Park, she developed an immunoassay menu for cardiac, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. In Dallas, she launched two diagnostic systems with Toshiba and over 100 assay applications, growing Abbott’s Clinical Chemistry business from $50 million to over $500 million annually. She also established a new R&D Center in Shanghai in 2014.
Dr. Yang has held various leadership roles, including Sr. Director of Global Diagnostics Research at Abbott Diagnostics, where she managed research teams across multiple continents, and R&D Director at Beckman-Sanofi and DuPont. Her work led to the development and commercialization of significant diagnostic technologies and products.
Since retiring in 2016, Dr. Yang has been active in community service and mentoring. She has served on the board of several organizations, including the Korean Women’s International Network and the Korean American Scientists and Engineers Association. Dr. Yang’s career is marked by significant advancements and innovation in diagnostics, reflecting her commitment to improving healthcare through cutting-edge technology.
KSEA Awards
1. Outstanding Contribution to KSEA Award (presented by KSEA and MSIP)
Finalist: Dr. Myung Jong Lee, Professor, City College of New York
Dr. Myung Jong Lee is a professor at the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the City College of New York (CUNY) and the Computer Science at Graduate Center of CUNY. He has served as a technical editor for IEEE Communication Magazine and guest editors for ad hoc sensor network and special issue of International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Seoul National University in 1976 and 1978, respectively, and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University in 1990.
Dr. Lee is an internationally recognized expert in AI/machine learning approaches for 5G/6G communications, wireless communications, mobile edge cloud computing, secure V2X communication, and stochastic computing. Dr. Lee published more than 200 journal and conference papers and book chapters and holds more than 25 US and international patents. He has received more than $10 M grant (co-recipient) from NSF, DoD (Army Research Lab, Army Research Office), and leading industries (Telcordia, Northrop Grumman, Samsung, ETRI, etc.) mostly for telecommunication networks research.
Dr. Lee has made significant contributions to KSEA and various communities and organizations. Under his leadership as the president for the 42nd administration of KSEA, the number of voting members surpassed 6,300 for the first time and four new chapters and four APSs were created. He has served as a chairman of the Board of Elmhurst Community Service (ELCOS) and the principal of the Hanbit Korean School. Dr Lee founded Korean-American Innovative Technology Engineers and Entrepreneurs (KITEE). His efforts have been recognized through several awards, including Research Achievement Award, Performance Excellence Award and Distinguished Service Award from CUNY and Contribution Appreciation Awards from IEEE Computer Society.
2. Scientist of the Year Award (presented jointly by KSEA and KOFST)
Finalist: Dr. Young-sup Yoon, Professor, Emory University
Dr. Young-sup Yoon is a Bruce R. Logue Professor (since ’18) of the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University. He received his M.D. in Medicine (’89) from Yonsei University and earned his Ph.D. in Cardiovascular Biology, Yonsei University (’98). Before joining Emory University, Dr. Yoon served as an Assistant and Associate Professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine (’03-’08).
Dr. Yoon’s pioneering research focuses on innovative regenerative therapies for cardiovascular disease. Dedicated to advancing regenerative therapy for both cardiac and vascular conditions, he employs a multifaceted approach involving stem cells, directly reprogrammed cells, and tissue engineering techniques to generate cardiac and vascular cell types. Additionally, his work involves the development of cutting-edge biomaterials and tissue engineering methodologies. Extensively investigating the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of these tissue engineering interventions, Dr. Yoon utilizes a range of cardiovascular disease models in the pursuit of improved treatment strategies.
Dr. Yoon is widely acknowledged as a highly prolific and esteemed researcher and educator. With a remarkable track record, he has authored over 131 research articles and contributed to 9 book chapters. Beyond his scholarly achievements, Dr. Yoon exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities and a genuine commitment to mentoring. His mentorship extends to training over 100 undergraduate students, guiding 15 Ph.D. candidates, and nurturing 39 post-doctoral fellows, among whom are 19 faculty members across different universities. In addition to his impactful contributions, Dr. Yoon is honored as a Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA) and holds a charter membership in the NIH study section. He also serves as an associate editor for various esteemed journals and acts as an editorial consultant for prestigious publications such as Nature and Science.
3. Engineer of the Year Award (presented by KSEA and KOFST)
Finalist: Dr. Luke P. Lee, Professor, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Luke P. Lee is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He received his B.A. in Biophysics (1996) from University of California (UC) Berkeley and his Ph.D. (2000) in Applied Physics and Bioengineering from the same institution. He joined the faculty at UC Berkeley in 1999 after more than a decade of industry experience. He was appointed as the Arnold and Barbara Silverman Distinguished Professor (2010-2019) and the Lester John and Lynne Dewar Lloyd Distinguished Professor (2005-2009) at UC Berkeley. He was the Chair Professor in Systems Nanobiology (2006-2007) at ETH Zürich. He also served as Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor and Associate President for International Research and Innovation at the National University of Singapore (2016-2018).
Dr. Lee’s contributions to scientific research have significantly impacted a global scale. His groundbreaking work in single-cell analysis, molecular diagnostic systems, ultrafast photonic polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantum biological electron transfer (QBET), and exosome detection via the ultrafast isolation system (EXODUS) has transformed the field. Dr. Lee’s dedication to advancing quantitative biology and systems nanomedicine and his ability to bring together experts from various fields, such as life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and medicine, have led to innovative solutions to global health problems. His recent development of advanced neurotechnology, the Mini-Brain Microphysiological Analysis Platforms (MAP), using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-based organoids, demonstrates his dedication to understanding and finding solutions to complicated health issues. These brain organoid MAPs will contribute to discovering better comprehension of neuropathogenesis and its potential treatments.
Dr. Lee is a well-known and highly respected researcher and educator who has earned an exceptional reputation in his field. He has authored over 350 research articles, contributed to four book chapters, and holds 60 international patents. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Lee is an outstanding mentor and leader, supervised and guided over 120 undergraduate students, 31 Ph.D. candidates, and 37 post-doctoral fellows. He has produced 35 faculty members in various universities and over 10 CEOs and CSOs of start-ups. Dr. Lee has been honored as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He has also received various awards, such as the IEEE William J. Morlock Award, NSF Career Award, Fulbright Scholar Award, and the HoAm Prize.
4. Entrepreneur of the Year Award (presented jointly by KSEA and Maeil Business Newspaper)
Finalist: Mr. Saeju Jeong, Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, Noom
Born in South Korea to a family of esteemed doctors, Saeju Jeong’s aspiration to help people and be an innovator was inherent from a young age. He began his entrepreneurial journey by founding South Korea’s first-ever heavy metal e-commerce business. However, it was the passing of his father, a renowned doctor, that redirected the course of his life and profoundly influenced Saeju’s entrepreneurial and personal direction. It was his father’s experience in healthcare and reflection in his last moments that inspired Saeju to transform sick care into preventative care and give back the gift of time to people’s lives.
In 2005, Saeju embarked on a pivotal journey to the United States. There, he met Artem Petakov, then working at Google, and together they shared a vision to promote healthier living, ultimately leading them to co-found Noom in 2008. Under Saeju’s leadership as CEO for 17 years, Saeju secured $657MM in investment from prominent firms including Sequoia Capital and Silver Lake and spearheaded the development of the leading behavior change platform in the consumer healthcare market, leading thousands of employees and impacting millions of lives globally. Today, Noom is a central destination for holistic health, with four programs to effectively treat weight management, obesity care management, diabetes, and stress management. The company’s success also extended to publishing, with “The Noom Mindset” becoming an overnight national bestseller, and “The Noom Kitchen” cookbook released on January 2, 2024.
Saeju’s leadership has been recognized through multiple prestigious accolades, including EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020, Harvard Business School’s Entrepreneurial Company of the Year in 2022, Goldman Sachs’ Builders and Innovators Award in 2022, Inc.’s 500 Great Entrepreneurs in 2019, and is a regular attendee at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos. Saeju has been featured in top-tier media including “How I Built This,” “Masters of Scale,” and an eight-page brand interview in Inc.
In July 2023, Saeju transitioned to his current role of Executive Chairman, continuing to shape Noom’s vision and strategy.
5. Outstanding Chapter and Chapter President Award
Finalist 1: North Texas Chapter and Dr. Wooram Park, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
Throughout the past year, the North Texas Chapter has shown exemplary commitment to promoting KSEA membership and fostering a strong sense of community among members in the region, and as the chapter president, Dr. Wooram Park has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing the goals of the organization.
The chapter has actively engaged with members from diverse backgrounds and interests, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking, and personal growth within the KSEA community. The chapter has consistently organized and hosted numerous activities aimed to bring members together and to promote scholarship and collaboration in the North Texas region. For instance, the chapter has hosted engaging fall seminars, consistently arrange more than 40 professionals each year and fostering valuable networking opportunities, and successful bio-medical seminars, with an average attendance of 25 researchers and students per session.
Under Dr. Park’s leadership, the chapter established an art competition for K-12 students, which has grown to a national level with 100 participants, serving as an inspiring platform for young minds in STEM. This art contest is an exemplary case that shows how a KSEA chapter can make a significant contribution at the regional and national level. Also, the chapter has been instrumental in organizing the National Math and Science competition (NMSC), which annually draws over 60 students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The chapter notably served the host site of UKC 2023 and exhibited remarkable dedication under Dr. Park’s leadership, significantly contributing to the event’s resounding success through their local arrangements and volunteer efforts. Furthermore, the chapter coordinated pivotal tours, which include the University of Texas Southwestern tour of the KOFST President, and University of Texas at Dallas tour of Korean students participating in the International Science and Engineering Fair 2023.
These endeavors at the North Texas Chapter have consistently surpassed expectations, and their significant support and involvement in UKC 2023 highlight their dedication to serving the broader KSEA community and contributing to the success of major events. Dr. Park’s exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication have been instrumental not only in the growth and prosperity of the North Texas Chapter, but also furthering KSEA’s mission on a national level.
Finalist 2: Silicon Valley Chapter and Dr. Gwansuk Kang, Stanford University, California
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Silicon Valley Chapter has been successfully revitalized by promoting KSEA membership and fostering a strong sense of community among chapter members, and the chapter has achieved remarkable achievements as the chapter president, Dr. Gwansuk Kang has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to reinitiating and further developing the chapter.
The Silicon Valley Chapter could be revitalized and began to mature through Dr. Kang’s active membership drive. The chapter has provided various networking and collaboration opportunities and enriching environment for its members. For instance, the chapter hosted a series of research seminars and offered networking opportunities between chapter members and visiting Korean researchers. Their efforts have consistently contributed to the growth and vibrancy of the chapter.
The chapter has consistently organized and executed a series of impactful initiatives that have made a significant difference within our organization and the broader community. Notable highlights include co-hosting the President Joe Biden Volunteer Service Award Ceremony in the San Francisco Bay Area, facilitating events for students from Soongsil University and Gyeongsang National University. More notably, the chapter has been actively promoting collaborations with Korea, as exemplified by their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city of Suwon regarding the city’s bio-industry.
In 2023 and 2024, Dr. Kang’s leadership as the chapter president has been outstanding. Dr. Kang’s innovative and inclusive leadership has been pivotal in the revitalization and quality growth of the Silicon Valley Chapter. He has shown dedication to advancing science and engineering for societal benefit and engaging the community through impactful events. His leadership and efforts in reinitiating the chapter and unwavering commitment to spearheading various initiatives serve as an inspiration within the KSEA community, motivating others to strive for excellence and impact in their endeavors, and deserve recognition.
6. Outstanding Community Service Award
Not Applicable
7. Young Generation Leadership Award
Finalist: Mr. Jonathan Young Kim, Lead Software Engineer at Capital One
Mr. Jonathan Young Kim obtained his MS in analytics from Georgia Institute of Technology and BS in computer science from University of Virginia and has 8+ years of industry experience as a software developer. Mr. Kim is currently working as a lead software engineer in enterprise data and machine learning at Capital One, where he is the tech lead of a development team of 4-5 engineers, organizing and distributing tasks ranging from cloud infrastructure, database administration, and full stack development.
At KSEA, Mr. Kim has provided an outstanding Young Generation (YG) leadership and very active voluntary services for KSEA admins for the last 10+ years through various positions such as YG Representative (52nd admin-Present), YG Committee Chair (51st-Present), YG Committee member (48th-Present), FIRE Symposium Advisor (48th-Present), Next Generation Director (51st), UKC Program Co-Chair (51st), US-Regional YGF/YPF/Alumni Forum in Hawaii Organizer (50th), the 50th History Book Lead Copy Editor (50th), Publication Director (47th-50th), UKC YG/PF Chair (48th), Ygnite (YGTLC) Organizer (43rd-46th), Ygnite Co-Chair (45th), UKC YG/PF Organizer (45th), Virginia Regional Conference Organizer (41st-43rd), UVA YG Group Executive Committee (40th-43rd), and UVA YG Group President (43rd). Especially, in 2023, Mr. Kim was elected to be Young Generation Representative to represent all the student and early-career membership of KSEA and has managed an annual budget of $20K to support YG events. He has also served as Young Generation Committee Chair since August 2022, leading a team of 12 KSEA members to support the students and early-career membership of KSEA in various national-level endeavors.
Mr. Kim has a wealth of experience in YG, committing much of his time to KSEA, including UKC and editing the 50th anniversary book, and contributed to the development of KSEA YG as a YG leader for many years. His leadership for KSEA YG activities and his contribution to KSEA admins are highly recognized.
8. Distinguished Sponsor Membership
Finalist: Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT)
The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) has made exceptional contributions to the financial well-being of UKC and KSEA since 2009. Its total contribution amount is one of the highest among the recent corporate sponsors. KIAT’s sponsorship with great enthusiasm is highly recognized.
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