Ewha Womans University Innovates in Convergence Research through Global Collaborations
Ewha Womans University has reported the selection of seven research teams for the Mid-Career Researcher Support Program (Type 1 – Global Cooperation), an initiative funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). This program aims to promote innovative basic research and foster the development of leading researchers, contributing to Korea’s advancement in science and technology.
Selected Research Teams and Their Projects
The research teams represent a range of disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, and nursing, and their projects are designed to facilitate convergence research through partnerships with international universities and research institutions.
1. Digital Mood Management Solution
Among the selected projects, Professor Soontae An from the Division of Communication & Media is collaborating with the University of Strathclyde in the UK, Queensland University of Technology in Australia, and the International University of Japan. This initiative focuses on creating a digital mood management solution that leverages positive self-talk and aims to develop preventive mental health care tools utilizing AI chatbots.
2. Mobile Game Addiction Research
Professor Hye Eun Lee, also from the Division of Communication & Media, is working with the Media Neuroscience Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to explore the mechanisms of mobile game addiction. This project seeks to develop predictive models informed by brain imaging technology and deep learning methodologies.
3. Algebraic Geometry and Number Theory
In the field of mathematics, Professor Won Joonyeong is engaged in a collaborative study of algebraic geometry and number theory with Saitama University, Kyushu University in Japan, and the University of Edinburgh in the UK. The research will investigate K-stability in Fano hypersurfaces and weighted hypersurfaces.
4. Control of Macrophage Inflammatory Diseases
Professor Hyun-seok Kim from the Department of Life Sciences is exploring the potential control of macrophage inflammatory diseases with partners at Ghent University in Belgium, focusing on the regulatory impact of protein N-terminal acetylation.
5. Epigenetic Chromatin Modulators
In another initiative, Professor Roh Tae-Young is working with Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands to identify epigenetic chromatin modulators, aiming to contribute to the development of personalized precision medicine technologies through multi-omics analysis of breast cancer cells.
6. Endogenous Viral Elements in Protists
Professor Eunsoo Kim from the Division of EcoScience is conducting research on the genomic and ecological characteristics of endogenous viral elements in protists, partnering with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in the US, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany, and Kyoto University in Japan.
7. Age-Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
Lastly, Professor Dukyoo Jung from the Division of Nursing is collaborating with Duke University and Johns Hopkins University in the US to investigate the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline. This research aims to inform the development of nursing intervention programs for hearing loss and dementia prevention.
Ewha Womans University’s Vision
Ewha Womans University emphasizes its vision of promoting “inclusive innovation” to enhance global research capabilities and foster an environment conducive to education and research. The institution plans to continue expanding its partnerships with global counterparts across various fields, reinforcing its position as a research-focused institution.
(Source: Ewha Womans University)
