The research team led by Professor Se Young Chun of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University has been selected for the NVIDIA Academic Grant Program. The NVIDIA Academic Grant Program is an initiative that supports AI researchers at accredited academic institutions worldwide, particularly full-time faculty at research-focused universities, including those in PhD programs. Selected teams undergo a rigorous evaluation process and are provided with computational resources for AI research at no cost. Through this program, Professor Chun’s team will receive 32,000 GPU-hours on NVIDIA A100 GPUs, delivered via the cloud-based high-performance computing platform Brev. In collaboration with Professor Hoon Kim’s research at Sungkyunkwan University, the team will utilize these resources to develop a megabase-scale DNA foundation model. The model will be specifically optimized for analyzing extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), which is closely associated with rapid cancer progression, treatment resistance, and high intratumoral heterogeneity. Existing analysis methods often require several days, creating a major bottleneck in research. The team aims to dramatically reduce analysis time from days to a significantly shorter duration through this foundation model. Leveraging large-scale GPU resources, this research is expected to overcome current limitations in cancer genomics analysis and contribute to the acceleration of both fundamental research and clinical applications in the field. Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57624 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

(From left) Professors Taewhan Kim, Hyungbo Shim, and Jerald Yoo of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University On January 28, Seoul National University’s College of Engineering announced that Professors Taewhan Kim, Hyungbo Shim, and Jerald Yoo of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have been selected as Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association in electrical and electronics engineering. Headquartered in New York, United States, IEEE has more than 400,000 members across over 160 countries and plays a leading role in developing international standards and advancing academic research in the field of electrical and electronic engineering. Among members of IEEE, the IEEE Fellow grade is the highest level awarded only to individuals within the top 0.1% of the organization’s total membership who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and technological achievements. Candidates must first be nominated by existing IEEE Fellows and then pass a rigorous evaluation by the selection committee. Prof. Taewhan Kim was elected as an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to dynamic voltage scaling theory and automated standard-cell generation. His research established a computational framework that determines the optimal voltage level in real time according to changing performance requirements inside semiconductor circuits, enabling chips to operate with minimal power consumption. In addition, his work provided the theoretical foundation for power-management algorithms widely used in low-power semiconductor chip design. Prof. Kim commented, “It was not easy to foresee the future impact of the research I was conducting at the time. I am pleased that the work I pursued with curiosity and passion 20 years ago has now become a foundation for the next generation of researchers and has also contributed to semiconductor chip design in industry.” Prof. Hyungbo Shim was elected an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to control theory for multi-agent systems and disturbance observers. Prof. Shim has conducted extensive research on control methodologies that enable multiple robots to cooperate in a coordinated manner, as well as on disturbance observer technologies that accurately estimate and compensate for unpredictable external disturbances in dynamic systems. These techniques are crucial for ensuring the stability and synchronization of complex robotic systems, such as humanoid group dance performances and large-scale drone light shows. Regarding the recognition, Professor Shim said, “Control theory sometimes receives great attention and at other times less interest, but it is a fundamental discipline that forms the foundation of engineering and will never disappear. It was not easy to continue working in this field during periods when it was less popular, but I am pleased that this recognition feels like a reward for those efforts. I am also deeply grateful to my students who worked alongside me and shared that journey.” Prof. Jerald Yoo was elected an IEEE Fellow in recognition of his contributions to semiconductor circuit design for biomedical and body-area networks. Prof. Yoo is a leading researcher who has pioneered ultra-miniaturized circuits for healthcare devices that are worn on or implanted in the human body, as well as body-area network technologies that enable communication and power delivery within the human body. His work has significantly contributed to performance innovations in next-generation wearable and digital healthcare devices. Prof. Yoo stated, “Compared to many senior professors, I feel humbled to receive such recognition at a relatively early stage of my career. In the rapidly evolving fields of semiconductors and healthcare, I will continue striving to develop innovative semiconductor circuits that improve human health and quality of life without becoming complacent.” Source: https://biz.chosun.com/science-chosun/science/2026/01/28/KYMPGRNSCJGXROJO4MD5O2JW2Q/ Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

At the 30th National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK) Awards Ceremony, Professor Jangwoo Kim of Seoul National University received the inaugural New Frontier Award. The New Frontier Award, newly established this year, was presented to Prof. Jangwoo Kim (CEO of MangoBoost) for developing high-speed interconnection technology for AI accelerators that maximizes the efficiency of large-scale AI data centers and for achieving world-leading performance in the MLPerf benchmark. Source: https://www.dnews.co.kr/uhtml/view.jsp?idxno=202603091056007180359 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

A research team led by Professors Namkyoo Park, Sunkyu Yu, and Jongho Lee (B) has proposed a new technology that addresses the longstanding challenges of image inhomogeneity and tissue heating in ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) operating at 7 tesla or higher. The researchers developed a metasurface design algorithm based on electromagnetic scattering theory, successfully achieving a uniform magnetic field distribution across the entire brain. MRI is a widely used non-invasive medical imaging technology that enables observation of internal anatomical structures and physiological changes. Higher static magnetic field strength (B0) improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spatial resolution, allowing more precise diagnosis of complex neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Although the recent development of ultra-high-field MRI has significantly enhanced brain imaging precision, it has also introduced new physical challenges. The primary issue arises from the wavelength of the RF magnetic field (B1+). As magnetic field strength increases, the RF frequency rises and the wavelength inside human tissue becomes shorter. When this wavelength becomes comparable to the size of the human head, complex electromagnetic interference occurs. As a result, the B1⁺ field—responsible for generating MRI signals—tends to concentrate at the center of the brain while weakening at the periphery, leading to non-uniform images. In addition, localized concentration of electromagnetic energy can increase the specific absorption rate (SAR), causing unwanted tissue heating. Conventional solutions have relied on two main approaches. One involves passive methods, such as using high-permittivity pads or metallic structures to locally adjust RF fields. The other is parallel transmission (pTx), which employs multiple RF transmit coils to control phase and amplitude. However, passive methods struggle to achieve uniformity across the entire brain, while pTx systems require complex hardware and control mechanisms and pose additional safety management challenges. To overcome these limitations, the research team proposed a new approach using a phase-controlled metasurface. A metasurface consists of arrays of artificial subwavelength structures that can precisely manipulate the phase and wavefront of electromagnetic waves. By applying an optimization algorithm based on scattering theory, the researchers designed a metasurface that rearranges RF waves with a minimal number of elements, enabling the formation of a uniform B1+ field throughout the brain. One notable advantage of this technology is that it can be implemented without modifying the hardware of existing MRI systems. The team validated its performance using commercial electromagnetic simulation software with multiple human brain models, including male, female, and pediatric anatomies. The results showed that applying the metasurface improved B1+ field uniformity by approximately twofold. The coefficient of variation (CV), a metric for field uniformity, decreased from 0.32 to 0.16 on average. At the same time, the SAR value decreased by about 23%, indicating improved safety. The researchers explained that the study applies the concept of “constant intensity waves,” previously explored in optics, to the problem of electromagnetic field control in MRI. This approach is expected to enable more uniform and safer brain imaging in ultra-high-field MRI, ultimately improving the diagnostic accuracy for neurological disorders. Volumetric B1+ field homogenization in 7 Tesla brain MRI using metasurface scattering. Gyoungsub Yoon, Sunkyu Yu*, Jongho Lee & Namkyoo Park* ACS Photonics, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.5c02781, February 2026 Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57568 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

Professor Jongmo Seo of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was featured in “Hyuk-soo Kwun’s KHIDI Newsroom,” a program by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), where his research experience and work in the K-Biohealth field were introduced. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcGjmPTyRdE&t=67s Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

On February 25, 2026, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering held its 80th Commencement Ceremony for 2025 Academic Year (Spring Semester). At the event, the following students received awards for Outstanding Graduate Thesis and Summa Cum Laude. < Outstanding Graduate Thesis Awards > Semiconductor Field Kahyun Kim (Advisor: Prof. Woo-Seok Choi) Jae Seung Woo (Advisor: Prof. Woo Young Choi) Electric Energy Field Yongseung Lee (Advisor: Prof. Yong-Kweon Kim) Electric Energy Field Juwon Lee (Advisor: Prof. Jung-Ik Ha) Computer Field Jooyoung Choi (Advisor: Prof. Sungroh Yoon) Communications Field Jihoon Moon (Advisor: Prof. Byonghyo Shim) Taehyun Cho (Advisor: Prof. Jungwoo Lee) < Summa Cum Laude> Seoyong Lee (Representative Awardee) Congratulations to all graduates and award recipients. Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57551 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

On February 25, 2026, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering held its 80th Commencement Ceremony for the 2025 Academic Year (Spring Semester), conferring degrees upon 57 doctoral graduates, 37 master’s graduates, and 99 bachelor’s graduates. The ceremony featured degree conferrals for representative graduates, the presentation of Outstanding Graduate Thesis Awards, and the recognition of summa cum laude graduates. Professor Yong-Kweon Kim delivered a congratulatory address, offering words of encouragement and best wishes for the bright future of the graduating class. Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57550 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...

▲ Photo from the 32nd Samsung Humantech Paper Awards Ceremony Seoul National University’s College of Engineering announced that its Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Department Chair: Professor Yongtaek Hong) received multiple awards at the 32nd Samsung Humantech Paper Awards, including the Special Prize and Gold Prize in the university category. The Samsung Humantech Paper Awards is an event hosted by Samsung Electronics and jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT and JoongAng Ilbo. Established in 1994, the Samsung Humantech Paper Awards is a prestigious academic event designed to discover and foster outstanding talent—from high school through graduate school, both in Korea and abroad—poised to lead 21st-century science and technology. This year, a record-high 3,172 abstracts were submitted, and 120 teams were selected as final awardees. Continuing its strong track record, SNU ECE students received a total of seven awards this year, including two Gold Prizes. In particular, by earning the Special Prize awarded to the department with the most awards in the university division for the third consecutive year, the ECE Department once again demonstrated that it possesses research competitiveness at the highest national level and remains a leading force in Korea’s electrical and computer engineering fields. This achievement reflects not only the excellence of individual students but also the department’s collective research capacity. Securing the top departmental distinction for three consecutive years underscores the sustained and systematic cultivation of research excellence and talent development within the department. The Samsung Humantech Paper Awards consist of individual prizes for researchers and special prizes awarded to universities and academic advisors demonstrating exceptional research outcomes. This year, students from the laboratories of Professors Jinho Lee, Saewoong Bahk, Woo-Seok Choi, Kyunghan Lee, and Jaehyouk Choi delivered particularly outstanding results. Among the five divisions related to electrical and computer engineering, the department secured Gold Prizes in ‘Communication & Networks’ and ‘Signal Processing’, as well as Silver Prizes in ‘Circuit Design’ and ‘Computer Science & Engineering’. These achievements highlight not only the breadth of research output across the discipline but also its top-tier qualitative excellence, underscoring the department’s leading competitiveness in the field of electrical and computer engineering. Kanghyun Choi (Advisor: Prof. Jinho Lee) received the Gold Prize in the Signal Processing division for proposing FALQON, a novel framework that eliminates the overhead incurred during LoRA fine-tuning with FP8 quantization, achieving up to a threefold improvement in training speed. Goodsol Lee (Advisors: Prof. Saewoong Bahk and Prof. Kyunghan Lee) was awarded the Gold Prize in the Communication & Networks division for developing QCON, a RAN scheduling technique that maximizes Quality of Experience (QoE) for real-time video streaming by leveraging the multi-connectivity feature of existing commercial 5G networks at no additional cost. The approach was experimentally validated on an Open-RAN testbed. In addition, Kahyun Kim (Advisor: Prof. Woo-Seok Choi) and Hongsun Jang (Advisor: Prof. Jinho Lee) received Silver Prizes; Chanjeong Park (Advisor: Prof. Kyunghan Lee) received a Bronze Prize; and Junseok Lee (Advisor: Prof. Jaehyouk Choi) and Gibum Park (Advisor: Prof. Kyunghan Lee) were awarded Encouragement Awards. Professor Yongtaek Hong, Chair of the ECE Department, stated, “Being selected as the department with the most awards in the university category for three consecutive years is the result of our students’ exceptional research capabilities, the dedicated mentorship of our faculty, and the department’s robust research support system. We will continue to encourage creative and ambitious research while fostering world-class research talent.” Detailed award information is as follows. Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57524 Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr...