Dr. Soo-hyun Lee, from the Department of Nano-Bio Convergence at the Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT won the grand prize in the category of best training performance and practices at the 2023 Government-funded Research Institute Postdoctoral Researcher Training Achievement Contest hosted by the National Research Council of Science & Technology(NST). NST held an awards ceremony at their main auditorium in Sejong City on Thursday, September 21 and presented awards to the winners.

The purpose of this contest is to showcase creative and challenging ideas and examples of the best training performance and practices that can aid postdoctoral researchers in their growth as early-career researchers by improving their R&D planning ability and establishing a network. NST began accepting applications at the end of July, and after the first document and second presentation evaluations in August, they announced the results and presented awards. 

The topic submitted and presented by Dr. Soo-hyun Lee is ‘Development of a highly sensitive Raman detection platform through a 3D nanoplasmonic hotspot structure’. Dr. Lee's research plan includes manufacturing and evaluating an internal plasmonic hotspot with high sensitivity and high density using an electrochemical method, securing the theoretical interpretation and detection mechanism of the signal amplification effect, and developing label-free diagnostic technology for diseases and hazardous substances. As a result, he developed a highly sensitive pathogen detection technology based on hybridized DNA with complementary characteristics, detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus through biolysate-based 3D internal hotspot, and obtained results in detecting plastic plasticizers using highly sensitive Au-Ag heterogeneous plasmonic nanostructures.

Dr. Soo-hyun Lee, a senior researcher who won the grand prize said "Under the leadership of Dr. Sung-gyu Park, we achieved numerous milestones, including the publication of 11 SCI(E)-level international papers during the training period, along with on going discussions on research cooperation and the establishment of a network with academia and industry,” “We will continue to work diligently to produce research results that are practically beneficial in addressing societal challenges, without resting on our laurels.”

Dr. Jung-hwan Lee, the president of KIMS expressed,“We welcome the training performance contest and its results, which can inspire the training performance of postdoctoral researchers and promote their growth as early-career researchers.” “We will spare no effort in supporting active communication and research with postdoctoral researchers, enabling them to consistently produce outstanding research results.”