The 2025 Southeastern Regional Conference (SERC), one of the largest annual gatherings of Korean-American scientists and engineers in the Southeastern U.S., was successfully held on May 14–15, 2025, at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. Co-hosted by the KSEA (Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association) headquarters and its six Southeastern regional chapters—Alabama, Georgia, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, and Central Florida—the event brought together a vibrant community of scholars and professionals from a broad range of scientific and technological disciplines.
The conference opened on May 14 with SERC YG Night, organized by the Gainesville Chapter and dedicated to Young Generation (YG) members. The event provided a dynamic platform for early-career researchers and students to connect, share their work, and discuss future career paths. The evening was marked by active engagement between YG participants and the KSEA leadership, including President Tom Oh, Finance Director Dr. Jin Ho Park, and presidential candidates Prof. Yong-Kyu Yoon (University of Florida) and Prof. Sam Chung (City University of Seattle). The gathering fostered meaningful conversations across generations, emphasizing mentorship and long-term collaboration.
The main conference on May 15 featured keynote lectures, student and researcher presentations, technical sessions, and structured networking opportunities. Topics spanned a wide array of disciplines, reflecting the diversity of KSEA’s regional membership. Of particular note was the active participation of the two KSEA presidential candidates, who each shared their vision for the future of the organization, emphasizing growth, global collaboration, and support for the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The event also welcomed high-level participation from Korean government agencies. Mr. Hwanil Yoo, Director of the U.S. Office of the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and Mr. Jonghyeuk Lee, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Science and ICT, delivered presentations on the latest trends in science and technology policy and shared opportunities for international cooperation with the Korean-American research community.
The success of the conference was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the organizing team-Dr. Jin Ho Park, Dr. Sangung Park, Dr. Jinhee Kim, Sebin Oh, and Woohyun Eum-with overall logistics and planning led by Dr. Hyun Dong Kim, Secretary of the SERC 2025 Organizing Committee.
Co-chairs Dr. Gloria Kim, a faculty member at the University of Florida, and Dr. Jae Um, President of the KSEA Orlando Chapter, played a pivotal role in shaping the vision and direction of this year’s conference. They emphasized that the theme, “Beyond Boundaries: The Next Era of Scientific and Technological Advancements,” was chosen to foster not only academic exchange but also meaningful collaboration across sectors and disciplines. Both expressed their hope that the SERC Conference will continue to serve as a vital platform for connecting Korean-American STEM professionals throughout the region.
Overall, KSEA SERC 2025 proved to be more than a conference—it was a platform for building sustainable networks, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, and empowering the next generation of innovators. Based on the strong turnout and positive feedback, organizers plan to continue strengthening this regional tradition in the years ahead.
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