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Health Convergence Professor Publishes Article in JAMA

Ahn Song Vogue, a professor of Health Convergence published an article in the world-renowned medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). In a joint research with researchers from Gachon University College of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, Professor Ahn analyzed the incidence of thyroid cancer, the number and types of thyroid cancer surgeries and the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in Korea between 2007 and 2016, based on the big data from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHISS) which is operated by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) of Korea. Thyroid cancer had been increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer since 2000 in both Korea and worldwide. Compared with the incidence of thyroid cancer by country in 2012, South Korea showed four times higher incidence of thyroid cancer in men and five times in women than the United States, which is known to be related to high rate of medical screenings. Since 2013, with much heightened awareness of situations like this, new guidelines have been enacted and implemented to encourage more selective thyroid ultrasonography at the time of examining for thyroid cancer, and to revise the criteria for a thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology with suspicious nodules larger than 1 cm in diameter. The research found that the incidence and the rate of surgeries of thyroid cancer began to decline after peaking in 2013, and that the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism reduced at the same time. Professor Ahn, the first author of the article, said, "This research is meaningful in that it may influence the national health policy by grasping the status and prospect of the national health level and the medical conduct based on the NHISS big data in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution trend.
- No.56
- Writer
- Date2020.02.10
- Views793
55
Professor Kim Wankyu Succeeded in Attracting Five-Billion-Won-Investment in His Big Data-AI-Based Drug Discovery Venture

Professor Kim Wankyu of Life Science attracted Series A investment worth 5 billion won for KaiPharm, an AI-Data driven drug discovery venture. Professor Kim raised series A investment funding just in 14 months after he set up the venture firm, and plans to build a globally unique reference database for drug-induced gene expression profiles. Kaipharm, which was founded by a research team led by Professor Kim Wankyu in 2018, develops the next generation platform for new medicines through unique bioinformatics analysis, big data mining and virtual search technology. Kim said that, with this technology, we can treat cells with drugs to analyze the expression patterns of approximately 20,000 human genes, and thereby produce a wealth of information on the mechanism of action of the drugs. In addition, the technology can be utilized to find a new indication by investigating whether a change in transcriptome patterns of a developing drug is similar to the action of an existing drug, or by comparing that with the pattern in the state of a particular disease. With this investment, KaiPharm and Institut Pasteur Korea decided to jointly generate an NGS-driven drug-induced transcriptome database (KMAP project). Based on this project, KaiPharm plans to develop new drugs in collaboration with research institutes, universities and pharmaceutical companies at home and abroad and provide analysis services. Previously, KaiPharm was selected as a recipient of Tech Incubator Program for startup Korea (TIPS) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and received seed investment. With the Series A investment funding that the firm raised from KB Investment and other six entities, now KaiPharm secures a total of 7 billion won. KaiPharm was established through a startup support program for faculty which includes “Ewha labs venture certification” and provision of a startup space within the laboratory. The firm has actively engaged in student employment and startup for students and recruited three undergraduates as interns during this winter session alone, contributing to nurturing talents. Kim said, “It has been ten years since I joined Ewha. During the first five years, I conducted research on genomics, bioinformatics and systems biology, which are my major field of study. Over the last five or six years, I focused on combining my previous research with development of new drugs, which led to the establishment of a venture firm.” "I want to contribute to bringing innovation to drug development through the convergence of data science and biomedical science," he added. Over the last couple of years, the Department of Life Science saw excellent members of the faculty launching a startup company, including Kang Sang Won (Vastera, inflammatory regulation), Bae Yun Soo (Celros Biotech, vascular disease treatment), and Shim Hyunbo (Curocell, Anticancer immunotherapy).
- No.54
- Writer
- Date2020.02.10
- Views572
53
Students from the College of Pharmacy Published Theses in Renowned International Journals in Succession

Students from the College of Pharmacy of Ewha Womans University continue to publish theses in prestigious international journals. Undergraduates are producing prominent research results through the curriculum of practice with professors and graduate students, breaking the stereotype that “only graduates can write outstanding papers” and promoting the research capacity and academic excellence of “Ewha pharmacy” at home and abroad. Park Soo-min, who is in the sixth year of the College of Pharmacy, and Lee Na-ri on a master's degree program (academic adviser: Gwak Hye-sun) published “Association between glutathione-S-transferase gene polymorphisms and responses to TKI treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis” as co-first authors and their paper was posted on the website of Targeted Oncology. In this study, the team of the College of Pharmacy proved the correlation between genetic polymorphisms (mutation) of glutathione-S-transferase enzymes, which are amino acids produced by our body itself, and therapeutic responses of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI), an anticancer drug. The findings of this study are significant as the analysis of the relationship between gene mutations of an individual patient as a genetic disorder and the treatment responses of an anticancer drug has emerged as an important task for cancer research. Another paper titled “PGC-1α, a potential therapeutic target against kidney aging” was also published in the October issue of Aging Cell, one of the top international journals in the related field. The paper was written by Kim Yoo-jeong, Ko Min-ji, and Yu In-young (academic adviser: Ha Hun-joo), all of whom attained a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy in February 2019, and the authors conducted the study as part of an in-depth research practice. While various research is being conducted on “healthy aging” strategies as the aging of population becomes a global trend, the research team of Ewha drew attention with their research showing that activating PGC-1α, a key regulator of energy metabolism, could be an effective strategy to inhibit the aging of kidney. Ewha’s College of Pharmacy, established in 1945 as the first four-year pharmaceutical college in Korea, will continue to take the lead in nurturing integrated professionals in pharmacy with global capabilities.
- No.52
- Writer
- Date2020.02.10
- Views836
51
Center for Entrepreneurship Hosted Diverse Events Promoting Entrepreneurship and Startup Culture

Ewha’s Center for Entrepreneurship (Director: Bahn Hyokyung) held diverse events for students to promote entrepreneurship and career development during the winter break. It hosted an entrepreneurship film festival titled “Entrepreneurial Spirit in Cinema” at the Art House MOMO located in the ECC on January 15. Supported by the Program of National University for Innovation and Transformation, the event was planned to help make entrepreneurship, a rather difficult subject, more accessible to students through the medium of more familiar content, film. Films about feminism, corporate system and AI were shown while a lecture and talk concert titled “Star Your Startup Brain: Startup and Training on Creative Thinking,” hosted by Yoo Seung-Chul, professor at the Department of Communications and Media, prompted exchange of diverse opinions on films, startup, challenging sprit, etc. The Center for Entrepreneurship also held “Ewha Startup Forum” on December 20 to enhance startup mindset among students and encourage networks between entrepreneur graduates and current students. Titled “In Style with Technology,” the forum, which took place at the ECC theater, specifically looked into style-tech which refers to fashion and beauty industry incorporated with Information and Communication Technologies. The program of the event included special lectures and talk sessions examining current industry trends and display booths by a number of style-tech companies. Established on September 2015, Ewha’s Center for Entrepreneurship has promoted education for future entrepreneurs by opening interdisciplinary major programs related to entrepreneurship. It has also supported students to launch a startup and encouraged entrepreneur spirt through diverse programs including Entrepreneurship Mileage, Startup Club (ORDA), Ewha Entrepreneurship & VC Club (EVCC), various startup competitions and Startup Reporters. With these endeavors, the center has earned A level in the BI Performance Assessment in May 2017 and the highest S level in the assessment for the 2019 Center for Entrepreneurship Support Project in April 2019.
- No.50
- Writer홍보실
- Date2020.01.20
- Views455
49
Jar Housed in Ewha Museum Designated as National Treasure

The Jar with Plum, Bird and Bamboo Design in Underglaze Blue, housed in Ewha Womans University Museum (Director: Jang Namwon) was designated as National Treasure No. 2058 on January 6, 2020. This welcoming news came after the Jar with the Inscription “the 4th Year of Sunwha” was designated as National Treasure in May last year, which makes Ewha Womans University Museum house two pieces of National Treasure and eleven pieces of Treasure. Manufactured between the 15th and 16th century during the early Joseon Dynasty, this jar has plum blossom in the entire body, which creates a splendid image, with birds of various postures infusing vitality into the scene. The tone of blue pigment demonstrates natural shades like those of an ink-and-wash painting. A high level of techniques and painting expression suggests that this jar is white porcelain of the royal kiln of Joseon, made by artists who worked at Joseon’s Royal Academy of Painting. Blue and white porcelain is scarce as it was used by a limited number of people and produced in limited quantity. And this jar has been well preserved in its original shape, and reflects the change of the times when Joseon was about to produce its original blue and white porcelain out of China’s influence. Director Jang Namwon said, “Ewha’s collection has been regarded as significant in terms of the national history and art history and aesthetically valuable, and is finally designated as cultural property. This shows Ewha’s high level of cultural awareness. Ewha has continued to preserve and enjoy our art and culture even in the Japanese colonial era and the Korean War.”
- No.48
- Writer홍보실
- Date2020.01.09
- Views594
47
Ewha Spreads Value of Knowledge Sharing through K-MOOC Lectures

Ewha Spreads Value of Knowledge Sharing through K-MOOC Lectures The Center for Innovation in Education of Ewha Woman’s University is offering the university’s distinguished educational content through Korean Massive Open Online Course, or K-MOOC, and leading the way to global knowledge-sharing. K-MOOC, administrated by the National Institute for Lifelong Education, provides free online lectures in higher and vocational education. Starting in October 2015, it enrolled a cumulative total of 350,000 members in just three years (as of Dec. 2018) and exceeded 580,000 in number of course registrations. Ewha participated in K-MOOC starting from October 2015, offering four lectures. The number of lectures has reached 14 as of the second semester of this year and they have been acclaimed for excellency in content. “Modern Physics and Transformation of Human Thinking” by professor Kim Chanju of the Department of Physics, in particular, was voted for the most satisfying lecture in 2015 and 2018 by the participants. “Principles and Application of Big Data” by professor Shin Kyung-shik of Business Administration set a record in 2018 as the most-registered class. The Ministry of Education of Korea has announced a plan to invite more renowned university lectures in such subjects as humanities, social studies and engineering as well as to develop diverse contents including the Fourth Industrial Revolution and vocational education by 2022 with the aim of opening more than 1,200 K-MOOC lectures. Based on K-MOOC service, Ewha Woman’s University is preparing to put forward an innovative university model through the “value of sharing” and to open and spread its outstanding lectures for all participants’ creative and proactive learning. [Fall 2019 K-MOOC Courses]
- No.46
- Writer홍보실
- Date2019.11.18
- Views2364
45
An Undergraduate of the Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Published Research Results in an SCI-level International Journal

An Undergraduate of the Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Published Research Results in an SCI-level International Journal Jaeyeon Wee, a student in the incoming class of 2017 for the Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at the ELTEC College of Engineering, published a paper in an SCI-level international journal, for which she led the research as the first author under the guidance of Professor Taeyong Lee. Wee is receiving attention for her feat, which is remarkable given that she is still an undergraduate student. Wee’s paper, titled “Biomechanical effects of variable stiffness shoes in normal walking after 60-minute adaptation,” was recently released in the online edition of International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing. Arthritis is so common these days that more than half of the population aged 75 and older suffer from the disease. Therefore, new approaches that will be effective without surgery are required. In the study led by Jaeyeon Wee, movements and an electromyogram (EMG) were analyzed by using the variable stiffness shoes (VSS), in which the stiffness rate of the inside and outside of the shoes’ midsoles were set differently. Then, the biomechanic effects of VSS immediately upon usage and after 60 min of adaptation were compared. The results proved that VSS not only slowed the onset of arthritis, but also helped relieve pain after the development of arthritis. In addition, the study showed the potential of the shoes that can be developed into medical devices in the future beyond the conventional role of protecting the feet. Wee said, “I decided to study in the Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, because I had taken an interest in medical devices when I saw my grandmother suffering from an illness had difficulties moving around. Since my first year at Ewha, I have continued research on shoes with medical functions by participating in the research activities during my undergraduate studies and in Undergraduate Research Program (URP) funded by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity.” Professor Taeyong Lee, the corresponding author, emphasized that the study is significant in that it serves as a good example of “Bench to Market,” making results of the laboratory reflected in an actual product. Professor Lee added, “This is in line with the vitalization of education linked with industries, the development goal of the Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, and we will continue to conduct research in cooperation with industries in the future.” Black Yak Co., global outdoor apparel brand, is discussing the research cooperation with Ewha Woman’s University based on the results of this study in order to utilize the long-term prevention effect of VSS.
- No.44
- Writer홍보실
- Date2019.11.18
- Views874
43
A Joint Research Team in Chemistry & Nanoscience Published a Research Paper In Nature Communications

A Joint Research Team in Chemistry & Nanoscience Published a Research Paper In Nature Communications A joint research team led by professor Kim Dong Ha and Hyun Jerome Kartham in Chemistry & Nanoscience of the College of Natural Sciences achieved the world’s highest resolution by realizing highly saturated structural colors, and published this research outcome in the prestigious academic journal Nature Communications. Structural colors, which are produced by interference of light due to structured surfaces, have recently drawn drastic attention thanks to its eco-friendly and harmless attributes. In particular, the structure of structural colors, though smaller than the wavelength of light, has the ability to display colors and thus can become tens of thousands of times smaller in size than commercial display pixels. While the existing method of miniaturizing pixels resulted in desaturation of colors, the joint research team led by professor Kim Dong Ha and Hyun Jerome Kartham succeeded in miniaturizing pixels of structural colors based on a new mechanism of reduced scattering of metals, rather than on the metal absorption, leading to the realization of ultrahigh resolution and color saturation. These features are well suited for snapshot hyperspectral imaging camera that requires ultrahigh resolution. Also, this research can be applied to cryptography and advanced display thanks to dramatically increased data storage space. Published in Nature Communications on October 21, the paper titled “Ultrahigh Resolution and Color Gamut with Scattering-Reducing Transmissive Pixels” was written by two lead authors including researcher Lee June Sang and Park Ji Yeon in her master’s program, and two corresponding authors including professor Kim Dong Ha and Hyun Jerome Kartham.
- No.42
- Writer홍보실
- Date2019.11.08
- Views1131
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Center for Quantum Nanoscience held dedication ceremony to mark the move into Research Cooperation Building

Center for Quantum Nanoscience held dedication ceremony to mark the move into Research Cooperation Building The Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) at Ewha Womans University held a dedication ceremony marking the move into the new home at the Research Cooperation Building on September 26. Launched in 2017, QNS has conducted leading research in quantum properties of atoms in nanostructures. Its pioneering studies include the world’s smallest single atom memory and magnetic resonance imaging of single atoms. Ewha President Kim Heisook said, “The Center for Quantum Nanoscience has been making excellent progress as three out of the five outstanding articles published by universities in Korea are produced by QNS” and added, “QNS is expected to make a huge contribution to Ewha paving the way for new future as a leader in science and technology.” During the ceremony Dr. Don Eigler, a laureate of Kavli Prize, a set of awards that boast authorities comparable to those of Nobel Prize, gave a lecture, titled, “Sufficient Space in the Smallest World: Taking an Unexplored Road.” Dr. Eigler shared his insights on a researcher’s mindset comparing it with an explorer starting off on a journey to an unknown world, saying, “Leave for Terra Incongnita - a place never been visited.” Launched in January 2017 under the agreement with the Institute for Basic Science, the Center for Quantum Nanoscience has been conducting research with a target to be ranked as a top institution in the field of controlling atomic-scale quantum effects on surface and inter-surface. Newly located in the Research Cooperation Building, a world-class research infrastructure, QNS is expected to lay foundation for future technology, leading the basic research in quantum physics.
- No.40
- Writer홍보실
- Date2019.10.30
- Views521
39
Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis Reselected for Follow-up Project as Science Research Center

The Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis was reselected for the follow-up project as the Science Research Center sponsored by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Established with an aim to understand “cellular homeostasis”, which is the basic control mechanism of biological phenomena, and to identify the causes of related diseases, Ewha’s Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis was selected in 2012 as the Science Research Center, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and NRF, and has received a total of 9.1 billion-won grant for seven years until this year to generate outstanding research results and lead the field of life science research. As selected for this follow-up project, scheduled from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022, the Center will receive 3.9 billion-won grant for the next three years to continue its study on control mechanism and pathogenesis of tissue homeostasis through the interaction among cell, tissue, and microenvironment, using approaches of biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology. In addition, the Center plans to become a global research center in the field of basic research on cellular homeostasis by conducting the comprehensive study on the control mechanism of cellular homeostasis through connection and cooperation with Ewha Research Center for Laboratory Animal Genome and Fluorescence Core Imaging Analysis Center.
- No.38
- Writer홍보실
- Date2019.09.27
- Views534

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