□ Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST, President Lee Kunwoo) announced the implementation of Distinguished Researcher Program to recognize and honor outstanding researchers who have made exceptional research achievements and to further strengthen the institute’s overall research competitiveness.
□ The newly introduced Distinguished Researcher Program combines the existing Distinguished Professor Program, which has been in effect since September 2024, with the newly established Distinguished Member of Research Staff (DMRS) Program. By preparing the ground to select research staff members with exceptional capabilities as DMRS, DGIST has established an integrated and systematic support program that includes both outstanding faculty and research staff members. Based on this, DGIST aims to secure research manpower in a stable manner and boost their morale.
□ Principal Researcher Lee Myung-jae at the Division of Nanotechnology was honored as the first recipient of the newly established DMRS designation. He is a world-renowned authority in the field of low-power, high-density neuromorphic memory computing technology for developing memristor-based artificial intelligence devices. He has consistently published outstanding papers in world-class journals such as Nature Communications and Advanced Science, and has achieved exceptional research results, including the publication of 120 SCI-indexed academic papers and a total of approximately 17,800 citations (h-index of 59).
□ In particular, he was selected as one of the “World’s Top 2% Scientists in 2025” by the global academic information analysis firm Elsevier, earning worldwide recognition for his research competitiveness. In addition, he has registered 96 domestic and international patents and received the Prime Minister’s Commendation (2019) and the Minister of Science and ICT’s Commendation (2022) for his contributions to the development of proprietary semiconductor technologies. Furthermore, he successfully led the Semiconductor Infrastructure Construction Project, a large KRW 25 billion government-funded project, being instrumental in advancing DGIST’s core research infrastructure. Furthermore, he significantly contributes to university-industry collaboration by resolving technical challenges for industrial companies and providing expert consultation.
□ “Thanks to the generous support from AjinPNP Co. Ltd., we were able to successfully establish the DMRS Program, which allows outstanding researcher staff members to devote themselves entirely to their research,” stated Lee Kunwoo, President of DGIST. “Going forward, we will actively utilize this program to create an optimal environment where outstanding faculty and research staff members can focus on academic achievements, and we will spare no effort in providing multifaceted support to ensure that DGIST continues to produce world-class results.”
□ Based on the implementation of the Distinguished Researcher Program as a springboard, DGIST aims to accelerate the recruitment and development of exceptional research talent. This is expected to maximize the unique convergence synergy of DGIST, where academic and research divisions coexist, and further solidify its status as a global, research-oriented university leading national science and technology innovation.
