The 2025 Northwest Regional Conference (NWRC), one of the signature regional gatherings of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA), was successfully held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Li Ka Shing Center at Stanford University. Co-hosted by KSEA HQ, Anatomage, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, and co-organized by the KSEA Silicon Valley and Berkeley Chapters, the event brought together over 100 participants from academia, industry, and government, providing a vibrant forum for interdisciplinary exchange and networking.
From Space to Biotech: Connecting People and Knowledge
This year’s theme, “From Space to Biotech: Connecting People and Knowledge,” captured the wide scope of the conference, which featured sessions on astrophysics, national R&D policy, AI, and biotech entrepreneurship. Dr. Gwansuk Kang (Chapter President of KSEA Silicon Valley, Stanford University) opened the conference with welcoming remarks, followed by congratulatory speeches from Dr. Tom(Tae) Oh (KSEA President, Rochester Institute of Technology), who emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogue and community solidarity, and Santa Clara City Councilmember Kevin Park, who provided insightful reflections on the historical and civic role of the Korean-American community in the Bay Area.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Jeonghee Rho of the SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center, who spoke on “The Universe and Supernovae.” Her talk, which covered cosmic origins, element formation via supernovae, infrared spectroscopic observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), was met with enthusiastic response.
Showcasing Government-Academic-Industry Collaboration
One of the most impactful sessions was the Silicon Valley National Institutions Forum, moderated by Consul Changmook Kang from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco. Senior representatives from major Korean national research institutes presented strategies for international collaboration and joint research initiatives:
- Dr. Kwangjin Lee – Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH)
- Dr. Sungjun Jang – Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH)
- Dr. Han Kim – Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP)
- Dr. Kihwan Nam – Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT)
The Academic Career Development Session featured practical insights from Dr. Haekyum Kim (LBNL, UC Berkeley) and Dr. Sohyung Kim (Stanford Center for Innovation and Design Research), who shared their experiences in research strategy and academic entrepreneurship.
In the Industry & Startup Session, attendees heard inspiring stories from Dr. Jaechul Ko (Korea University College of Medicine), Dr. Sungwon Lim (CEO, ImpriMed Inc.), and Dr. Hyuncheol Lee (Vivere Oncotherapies), focusing on topics such as digital twins, precision medicine, and biotech commercialization. Mr. Jaekwon Son, CEO of The Miilk, delivered a compelling session on “AI Industrial Revolution and Silicon Valley,” exploring the socio-technological transformations driven by artificial intelligence.
Strong Engagement and Community Bonding
With a diverse mix of attendees—approximately 10% students, 50% researchers, 20% industry professionals, and 20% public sector representatives—NWRC2025 fostered a lively environment for knowledge exchange. Active Q&A sessions followed each presentation, and conversations continued well beyond the formal program, culminating in a community dinner that extended until 10 PM.
The closing session, hosted by Dr. Jaeyong Ryu (UKC2025 Chair and KSEA President-Elect), introduced the upcoming UKC2025 conference, while Dr. Jaeyong Lee (Chapter President of KSEA Berkeley, LBNL, UC Berkeley) led a prize drawing and group photo to conclude the day. Participants described the event as “an enriching opportunity to experience multiple disciplines in a short time” and expressed strong interest in attending future events.
Dedicated Leadership and Organization
The success of NWRC2025 was made possible by the efforts of a passionate organizing team:
- Conference Chair: Dr. Jaeyong Lee (KSEA Berkeley, LBNL, UC Berkeley)
- Co-Chair: Dr. Gwansuk Kang (KSEA Silicon Valley, Stanford University)
- IT/Web Director: Katie Park (KSEA HQ)
- Volunteers: Dr. Goonho Park, Dr. Kang Seo, Dr. Okgeun Lee, Dr. Yeonmi Hwang (Stanford), Dr. Yesol Kim, Dr. Yeonjae Lee, Ms. Yooni Song (UC Berkeley), Ms. Eunse Jang (Dongguk University), Mr. Seunghoon Han (Bear Robotics)
Support from Sponsors and Partners
The event was supported by the following sponsors:
- Co-Hosts: KSEA HQ, Anatomage, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco
- Co-Organizers: KSEA Silicon Valley Chapter, KSEA Berkeley Chapter
- Gold Sponsor: Stanford Center for Innovation and Design Research
- Silver Sponsors: KSEA Silicon Valley, Yosem Tour, KITECH
- General Sponsor: Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Santa Clara
The 2025 KSEA NWRC at Stanford stood as a testament to the power of cross-sector collaboration and the vitality of the Korean-American scientific community. Organizers look forward to building on this momentum to further strengthen regional ties and advance science and technology for the benefit of future generations.
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