“Building Bridges, Strengthening Community”
The 2025 KSEA Upstate New York (UNY) Symposium, held on April 12 at Rochester Institute of Technology, marked a major milestone for the Korean-American scientific community in Upstate New York. As the first KSEA event in the region in over 20 years, the symposium successfully brought together 55 participants from five major academic institutions and local industries. The event centered around the theme “Building Bridges, Strengthening Community,” a vision that resonated throughout the day in every session, keynote, and conversation.
The primary goals of the symposium were to reconnect Korean-American scientists and engineers across Upstate NY, foster mentorship and professional networking across generations, and initiate momentum for long-term collaboration. Based on attendance, engagement, and post-event feedback, the event exceeded expectations in all three areas.
Welcome and Keynotes:
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Matt Huenerfauth, Dean of RIT’s Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, who offered institutional support and emphasized the significance of regional collaboration. Dr. Tae (Tom) Oh, President of KSEA, followed with an address on the national mission of KSEA and the importance of establishing local networks to empower young scientists and engineers.
The keynote session featured two distinguished speakers. Dr. Sunghwan (Sunny) Jung, Professor at Cornell University, delivered a talk titled “Snail-Inspired Surface Robots for Microplastic Collection,” showcasing his group’s innovative work in bio-inspired design. Dr. Sungyoung Kim, Associate Professor at KAIST and RIT, followed with “Immersive Audio and AI,” highlighting intersections between machine learning, auditory science, and user experience. Both talks struck a strong balance between technical depth and societal relevance.
The keynotes were eye-opening. They showed that innovation can be inspired by nature or driven by technology—but always in service of society.
E.J., postdoc attendee from Cornell Career Development, Research, and Panel Discussion
Mid-day sessions shifted the focus to professional growth and cross-campus collaboration. Dr. Juhun Lee (University of Pittsburgh) spoke virtually about KSEA’s SEED program, offering encouragement and resources for early-career Korean-American scientists. Suzie Kim, an undergraduate from the University of Rochester, shared her experience attending KSEA’s KATALYST Undergraduate Conference, reinforcing the importance of undergraduate engagement within the broader KSEA ecosystem.
In a more interactive segment, Dr. Kwang Won Park led a “light research talk” where attendees—faculty, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students—briefly introduced their research and career interests. The format promoted spontaneous connections and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Building a Stronger Future Together,” moderated by Prof. Jung Hun Seo. Panelists included Dr. Sungha Hong (University of Rochester), Dr. Bryan Kim (Syracuse University), Dr. Ji Hwan Park (RIT), and Dr. Hyunuk Jung (University of Rochester Medical Center). The discussion covered critical topics: navigating academia vs. industry, U.S. vs. Korean career paths, international scholar challenges, and mentorship strategies.
Community Building and Feedback
The symposium concluded with a group photo and a seated networking dinner, which allowed participants to engage more deeply across institutions and disciplines. Attendees rotated tables to meet others outside their home campuses and discuss potential research collaborations or mentoring opportunities.
Feedback gathered informally and through post-event surveys indicated high levels of satisfaction. Participants praised the inclusive atmosphere, the depth and relevance of discussions, and the accessibility of senior professionals. Several attendees noted it was the most personal and engaging professional event they had attended in years.
Common suggestions for future events included adding a poster session, extending the research talk segment, and offering hybrid participation for those from more distant campuses.
Organizing Committee
The success of the symposium was made possible by a dedicated team:
- Kwang Won Park, Cornell University
- Jung Hun Seo, University at Buffalo
- Nayean Kim, University of Rochester
- Han-You Jeong, Pusan National University-RIT
- Katie Park, KSEA HQ-IT
- Jahae Yun, KSEA HQ-Publication
- Tae (Tom) Oh, Rochester Institute of Technology
The 2025 KSEA Upstate NY Symposium did more than meet its stated goals—it reawakened a sense of regional identity and community among Korean-American scientists and engineers. Plans are already underway for follow-up virtual meetups, mentorship programs, and the formal formation of a KSEA Upstate NY Chapter.
We’ve been scattered for too long—this event proved we’re stronger when we connect.
Prof. Hyun Jung Park, RIP
With momentum strong and interest high, organizers are confident this is just the beginning of sustained engagement and growth for the Korean-American STEM community in Upstate New York.
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