Dr. Eunyu Kim, assistant professor of biology at Duke Kunshan University, received the prestigious Award for Overseas Scientists of the Year with a presidential commendation at the 12th Asia-Korea Conference (AKC 2024).
Hosted by the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in China (KSEACH), the event, held Nov. 13-16, drew more than 250 participants from China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore under the theme, “Beyond Borders: Shaping the Innovative Future Together.”
The award recognizes exceptional contributions across multiple scientific disciplines. Kim was one of three recipients, honored for her groundbreaking research in plant molecular biology, along with Woo-Keun Lee, a professor at Tsinghua University recognized for advancements in the semiconductor field, and Yong-Sam Jeong, a professor at Nanjing Agricultural University known for his work in advanced biotechnology.
“This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts and support I’ve received throughout my journey in plant molecular biology,” Kim said. “It motivates me to continue advancing our understanding of plant resilience and adaptability in response to global environmental challenges.”
Kim’s academic achievements include 40 publications in high-impact journals, such as Nature Plants, and 23 domestic and international patents. She has received awards and grants from Kunshan, Suzhou, and the National Natural Science Fund of China (NSFC). She also serves as vice president of KSEACH and co-organized AKC 2024, where she chaired the student presentation sessions, mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Two Duke Kunshan University students, Shaban Muhammad and Yangzhang Zhu, were honored with the Best Poster Award at the conference. Muhammad’s research aimed to create a system to study the role of a gene linked to cancer, while Zhu focused on improving methods for correcting errors in quantum computing.
Other DKU faculty members also contributed prominently to the conference. Feng Tian, chair of the Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, served as the AI session chair, and professors Dongmian Zou and Myung-Joong Hwang were invited speakers.
