EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY | Research

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Ewha Researchers Selected for Major Merit Research Program

Ewha Researchers Selected for Major Merit Research Program Researchers at Ewha Womans University have been awarded funding for a large-scale Merit Research Program under the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Basic Research Program, underscoring the university’s world-class research capabilities in basic science. Professor Seungwoo Hong, Professor Chirlmin Joo A research team led by Professor Hong Seungwoo of the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience was selected for the 2026 Hanwoomul-Phagi Basic Research program and will receive approximately KRW 1.97 billion in research funding over the next 10 years. The team plans to develop biomimetic anticancer agents capable of precisely regulating reactive oxygen species and establish a multidimensional screening-based preclinical validation platform aimed at advancing next-generation personalized cancer therapies. In particular, treatment strategies that selectively target cancer cells are expected to increase the potential for clinical application. A team led by Distinguished Professor Chirlmin Joo of the Departments of Physics and Life Science has also been selected for the Merit Research Program (type 2) and will carry out a three-year research project supported by KRW 1.05 billion in funding. The research team will develop next-generation single-molecule analysis techniques capable of simultaneously analyzing individual proteins to determine their size, charge, structure, dynamics, and other characteristics. These techniques are expected to enable the precise detection of disease-related biomarkers, contributing to early diagnosis and advancing precision medicine. These awards are seen as demonstrating that Ewha’s basic research capabilities are expanding beyond short-term projects into long-term, large-scale research.
- No.185
- Writer
- Date2026.04.24
- Views8068
184
Ewha College of Pharmacy Selected for Global Regulatory Science Leadership Program

Ewha College of Pharmacy Selected for Global Regulatory Science Leadership Program The College of Pharmacy at Ewha Womans University was selected as a participating institution in the Global Regulatory Science Leadership Program, supported by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). Through the program, Ewha will cultivate key professionals who will contribute to the global biohealth industry, laying a foundation for becoming a global hub for regulatory science. The Global Regulatory Science Leadership Program is a major national initiative designed to train regulatory scientists in evaluating the quality, safety, and efficacy of advanced biohealth products throughout the development and commercialization process. As the institution responsible for the part of the program focusing on food and drug product policy, Ewha will receive approximately KRW 3.3 billion in government funding through 2030 for training more than 220 regulatory scientists. The program curricula are run through collaboration between Ewha faculty members across multiple disciplinesmainly the College of Pharmacy and the Department of Nutritional Science & Food Management, as well as the Graduate School of International Studies; the School of Law; the Colleges of Engineering, Business Administration, and Medicine; and the Department of Public Administrationand experts from the pharma and food industries and related government agencies. The main curricula are Global Regulatory Harmonization and Policy Assessment, Cutting-Edge Safety & Efficacy Regulatory Application Based on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and International Standards Verification, and Reasonable Regulatory Track with Advanced Convergence-Driven & AI-Driven Technologies. These hands-on curricula involve multidisciplinary education, research projects with other universities and corporations in Korea and around the world, and university-industry collaborative internships, representing Ewha’s efforts to cultivate professionals in regulatory science who will lead the global pharmaceutical industry.
- No.183
- Writer
- Date2026.04.13
- Views8822
182
Ewha Posts Gains in Three Broad Subject Areas in QS World University Rankings, Strengthening Global Competitiveness

Ewha Posts Gains in Three Broad Subject Areas in QS World University Rankings, Strengthening Global Competitiveness Ewha Womans University reported a significant improvement in three of five broad subject areas compared to the previous year in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, evidencing an overall improvement in its academic competitiveness. Global higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) announced the rankings on March 25 in five broad subject areas—Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences & Management—as well as 55 individual subject areas. Ewha recorded year-on-year gains in three broad subject areas—Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Social Sciences & Management—indicating not only strong performance in individual disciplines but also greater competitiveness across these fields as a whole. The university achieved global rankings in 21 subject areas, reflecting its academic excellence across a wide range of fields. Among these, Ewha entered the rankings in Performing Arts for the first time this year, while its rankings in Psychology and Social Policy & Administration improved from the previous year. Ewha placed within the global top 200 in eight subject areas: Art & Design, English Language & Literature, Modern Languages, Performing Arts, Communication & Media Studies, Education, Social Policy & Administration, and Nursing. Among these, the university placed in the 50–100 range in Education, Nursing, and Social Policy & Administration, demonstrating a high degree of global competitiveness in these fields. In addition, Ewha entered the global top 200 in the Arts & Humanities broad subject area, reaffirming its solid academic standing. This achievement reflects the results of sustained investment in discipline-specific competitiveness and research capacity, underscoring Ewha’s rising global standing. Notably, the gains at the broad subject level point to balanced growth across the university’s academic portfolio. Building on this momentum, Ewha plans to further enhance its world-class research environment and expand international joint research projects and academic collaboration, improving its global reputation across both academia and industry.
- No.181
- Writer
- Date2026.03.26
- Views12616
180
Ewha Selected for “Seoul-type BRIDGE” Project, Opening Era of KRW 10 Billion in Technical Royalties

Ewha Selected for “Seoul-type BRIDGE” Project, Opening Era of KRW 10 Billion in Technical Royalties Ewha Womans University was selected for the “Seoul-type BRIDGE” project under the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE) program and will establish a university-industry collaboration platform in western Seoul. Thanks to its selection, Ewha will receive a total of KRW 2.6 billion in project funding over the next four years. The Seoul-type BRIDGE project links university research outcomes with Seoul’s strategic industries and public policies, enabling the commercialization of technology and the creation of social value. The Technology Licensing and Commercialization Center at the Ewha University-Industry Collaboration Foundation (EUICF) will launch the “Arise Ewha, Impact Bridge project team” to promote the project with a focus on Seoul’s creative industries and strategic industries including AI, biotechnology, healthcare, robotics, and fintech. Based on the research capabilities of the Sinchon Campus and the research and medical infrastructure of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital and Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha plans to collaborate with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and industrial hubs to build a platform demonstrating university-industry cooperation centered on western Seoul, including the districts of Seodaemun, Yangcheon, and Gangseo. Through specialized programs such as EV-Care and IMPACT-Finder, Ewha will support the full cycle of technology commercialization including corporate IP consulting, proof of concept, technology transfer, development of standard essential patents, and global investment linkages with the aim of attracting KRW 30 billion in investment. In addition, Ewha will expand cooperation with overseas universities, companies, and investment institutions by leveraging its existing global university-industry collaboration consortium and will also support the overseas expansion of Seoul-based companies through international technology transfer and joint research. By strengthening its global patent strategy, reinvesting technology royalties, and expanding its global networks of venture capital, Ewha aims to build a sustainable ecosystem for technology commercialization.
- No.179
- Writer
- Date2026.03.17
- Views12956
178
Ewha Selected for Next Phase of TeX-Corps Women-Focused Lab-to-Startup Innovation Group

Ewha Selected for Next Phase of TeX-Corps Women-Focused Lab-to-Startup Innovation Group Ewha Womans University has been selected for the third cohort of the “Women-Focused Lab-to-Startup Innovation Group” under the 2026 Public Technology-Based Market-Linked Startup Exploration Support program (called Tech eXploration-Corps, or TeX-Corps, for short) hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Through this selection, the university will receive approximately KRW 1.5 billion annually (KRW 7.5 billion over five years), driving its emergence as a national hub for technology startups led by women in STEM fields. The TeX-Corps program is a startup exploration initiative benchmarked on the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program under the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote public technology-based entrepreneurship. It supports research teams seeking to validate market demand and explore commercialization potential through customer interviews. Participating institutions include leading STEM-oriented universities such as Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), as well as major universities including Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University. As a hub for women-led startups, Ewha plans to identify female entrepreneurs in cutting-edge fields such as AI, biotechnology, climate technology, and healthcare and wellness technologies and to establish a full-cycle startup support system encompassing education, mentoring, prototype development, and links to investment. During the second cohort of the program (2021–2025), Ewha supported 77 startup exploration teams, with some teams demonstrating their global expansion potential by participating in CES 2026. Going forward, the university plans to offer overseas startup education in collaboration with institutions such as the George Washington University and UC Berkeley and to further enhance its LIFT-based startup support model (LIFT is an integrated platform supporting the full growth cycle for female tech entrepreneurs) to drive the creation of startups based on public technologies.
- No.177
- Writer
- Date2026.03.12
- Views12765
176
National Research Laboratory 2.0 Research Team Identifies Reaction Mechanism for Solar-Powered Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

National Research Laboratory 2.0 Research Team Identifies Reaction Mechanism for Solar-Powered Lithium-Oxygen Batteries An Ewha Womans University research team under the Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems (IMMS), part of a National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program headed by Professor Dong Ha Kim of the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience, succeeded in systematically identifying how solar energy governs the internal reactions of lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries through real-time analysis. This study, carried out under the NRL 2.0 funding program with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education, demonstrated that light can regulate chemical reaction pathways inside batteries through plasmonic nanostructures (a nanomaterial technology in which nanoparticles of metals such as gold absorb light to amplify energy and promote chemical reactions). The research findings were published online on January 29 in Advanced Energy Materials, one of the world’s leading academic journals in the field. The research team developed a new plasmonic cathode structure (Au@UiO-66-NH₂) by combining gold (Au) nanoparticles inside the UiO-66-NH₂ metal-organic framework (MOF) designed by IMMS Director Professor Hoi Ri Moon. This structure was designed to enable solar energy to be effectively utilized in battery reactions by promoting light absorption and electron transport while maintaining the structural stability and porosity of the metal-organic framework. Experimental results showed that, unlike conventional batteries, Li-O₂ batteries formed thin-film discharge products (Li₂O₂) under solar irradiation, which decomposed during the charging process with less energy. The battery operated at a very low overpotential of 1.05 V in the first charge/discharge cycle and demonstrated outstanding durability by maintaining stable performance for more than 600 hours with only a small amount of gold. Significantly, this study represents the first time that IMMS published research findings in a world-class academic journal since it was launched late last year under the NRL 2.0 program. By combining plasmonic effects with MOF-based catalyst design, the study presents a new design strategy for high-efficiency and high-stability solar-powered Li-O₂ batteries, demonstrating the research capabilities and international competitiveness of the NRL 2.0 program. (from left) Prof. Dong Ha Kim, Prof. Hoi Ri Moon, Prof. Park, Jaehong This research was carried out with support from the Autonomous Priority Research Institute program at the National Research Foundation of Korea, the NRL 2.0 support program led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education, the BrainLink program, and the Basic Science Research Capacity Enhancement program at the Korea Basic Science Institute (National Research Facilities & Equipment Center).
- No.175
- Writer
- Date2026.02.11
- Views15072
174
Professor Dong Ha Kim’s Team Develops Polarization-Selective Photocatalysis Technology — Published in Advanced Materials

Professor Dong Ha Kim’s Team Develops Polarization-Selective Photocatalysis Technology — Published in Advanced Materials A research team led by Professor Dong Ha Kim with the Department of Chemistry & Nanoscience at Ewha Womans University has developed the world’s first polarization-selective photocatalysis technology that uses the chirality of light to increase hydrogen production efficiency by up to twofold. This achievement fundamentally improves the long-standing limitations of solar-driven hydrogen production; namely, inefficient light absorption and charge loss. The results were published on January 15 in the internationally renowned materials science journal Advanced Materials (impact factor: 26.8). Solar-driven hydrogen production has attracted attention as an eco-friendly energy technology; however, conventional photocatalysts have been limited by inefficient light absorption and charge recombination. Professor Kim’s research team introduced polarization, the directional property of light, into catalyst design and proposed a new principle for controlling charge-transfer pathways. The team synthesized chiral gold nanoparticles that selectively respond to right- and left-handed circular polarization (R-Au/C3N4 and L-Au/C3N4) through a light-induced growth method and confirmed a “chiral matching” effect in which hydrogen evolution significantly increases when the chirality of the catalyst matches the polarization of the incident light. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) analysis showed that electron–hole recombination was suppressed and electron lifetime increased, while extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis confirmed stronger Au–O bonding and the formation of active sites. This study experimentally demonstrated that the directional property of light can influence both charge transport and catalyst stability, marking a turning point for solar-driven hydrogen production technology. The paper reporting these findings, titled “Polarization-Selective Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reactions via Chiral Photocatalysis,” was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Autonomous Priority Research Institute program, the National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program, the BrainLink program, the Korea Basic Science Institute’s Basic Science Research Capacity Enhancement program (National Research Facilities and Equipment Center), and the global chemical company Syensqo.
- No.173
- Writer
- Date2026.01.30
- Views15315
172
Ewha Launches Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems as National Research Laboratory

Ewha Womans University held an opening ceremony for the Institute for Multiscale Matter and Systems (IMMS) on January 22 at Lee Sam-bong Hall in the Ewha Campus Complex. The occasion marked the official launch of the institute, which has been selected for the 2025 National Research Laboratory (NRL 2.0) program, a major government grant from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education. Through transdisciplinary convergence research spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, and artificial intelligence, Ewha IMMS aims to drive innovation in integrated multiscale research and technology development, from atomic- and molecular-level materials design to nano- and micro-scale structures and systems. Backed by a block grant of KRW 10 billion per year for the next decade, totaling KRW 100 billion, the institute plans to integrate experimental, theoretical, AI-driven, and data-driven approaches to conduct leading research in national strategic areas, including next-generation energy materials, functional advanced materials, and intelligent systems. To mark the occasion of the institute’s launch, the opening ceremony was attended by Ewha President Hyang-Sook Lee, Chairperson Eun Mee Kim of the Board of Trustees of Ewha Womans University and IMMS Director Hoi Ri Moon, along with key figures from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, the National Research Foundation of Korea, government-funded research institutes, and from across the industry. In her welcoming remarks, President Lee emphasized that the launch will serve as an important turning point in further expanding Ewha’s role as a research university and pledged the university’s full support in ensuring IMMS’s sustainable research outcomes and its contribution to addressing national challenges. Government officials and representatives from relevant organizations also expressed high expectations for the institute’s growth into a key research hub linking university-led research innovation with Korea’s national research strategies. In her introduction, IMMS Director Hoi Ri Moon announced “One Platform, Infinite Impact” as the institute’s vision and outlined three core goals: generating world-leading research outcomes, establishing a transdisciplinary research platform, and nurturing global talents in science. She also shared plans to develop AI-based precision materials design technologies and an AI-driven autonomous laboratory, aiming to contribute to addressing challenges in climate and energy as well as advanced semiconductor fields. With the opening of its new national research laboratory IMMS, Ewha plans to further strengthen its standing as a research university and to accelerate global collaborative research and talent development in advanced fields.
- No.171
- Writer
- Date2026.01.23
- Views19140
170
Ewha Makes Debut at CES 2026 with Innovative AI-driven Technologies

Ewha Womans University’s inaugural participation in the CES 2026, one of the world’s largest technology trade shows held each year in Las Vegas, Nebraska, showcased innovative new technologies from student and faculty startups, establishing a bridge to reach global consumers. Held from January 6 to 9, the event was visited by President Hyang-Sook Lee and university administrators in support of the entrepreneurs at Ewha’s booths in the Seoul Pavilion and to facilitate networking with global buyers. This year’s CES featured Ewha startups in key future industries including AI, healthcare, and security. Student startups Uniuni Corp. and EDM Gadget respectively presented AI-driven safety solutions for people with disabilities and energy optimization technology for data centers, while the faculty startup CoreTrustLink introduced its security technology for internal control automation, all three exhibitors drawing attention from international visitors. Uniuni Corp.’s restroom guard system Savvy was named winner of a CES Innovation Award for the second consecutive year with its high-tech safety solution for detecting falls and medical emergencies in public restrooms for people with disabilities, once again earning global recognition for its technological accomplishment. Ewha’s successful debut at CES demonstrates President Hyang-Sook Lee’s initiatives in university-industry collaboration and technology commercialization resulting in tangible achievements. President Lee’s presence at CES to support Ewha startups to expand their global consumer base serves as a testament to the university’s on-the-ground approach in entrepreneurship and university-industry collaboration policies. Ewha’s Startup Support Organization provided support for the exhibitors through the entire process of their participation, ranging from booth registration and promotion to buyer matching, as well as operating its Student Supporters program at CES to offer students an opportunity to gain field experience in global business. President Hyang-Sook Lee stated that Ewha’s inaugural participation at CES introduced the competitiveness of Ewha startups’ AI-driven technologies to the global stage and that Ewha will continue to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem to deliver global performance. This year’s participation at CES will serve as an opportunity for Ewha to boost university-industry collaboration and support for entrepreneurship on a global scale.
- No.169
- Writer
- Date2026.01.21
- Views18628
168
Ewha Global Excellence Program Launched to Strengthen Research Competitiveness

Ewha Global Excellence Program Launched to Strengthen Research Competitiveness Ewha Womans University has launched the Ewha Global Excellence Program (EGEP), its new large-scale research support initiative that aims at addressing the rapidly changing higher education environment and at further strengthening its position as a world-class research university. The program is a strategic initiative designed to explore convergence-driven research capabilities while expanding international collaborative research and securing mid- to large-scale research projects. Following an open call in August, a total of 31 research groups were selected through a vigorous evaluation and consultation process and officially commenced their projects on December 1. EGEP is a major new policy for Ewha, which aims at innovating the university’s research support system and strengthening international, collaborative, and convergence-driven research in order to advance its “New Era, New Ewha” vision. President Hyang-Sook Lee, the first among Ewha’s presidents from a science and technology discipline, has a clear agenda to establish a world-class research environment, focusing on international collaborative research as a key means of furthering Ewha’s achievements in natural sciences and engineering. To this end, EGEP focuses on strengthening the capabilities of research groups, expanding international collaborative research centered on distinguished scholars from abroad, and enhancing the convergence capacity of Ewha’s scholars through support for group-based research. To help researchers secure outside funding and effectively operate their projects, EGEP also offers increased administrative and institutional support. EGEP’s long-term goals include increased global competitiveness through international, collaborative, and convergence-driven research; increased participation in the fifth phase of the government’s Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Program and other mid- to large-scale research projects; the establishment of a robust large-scale group research framework; and Ewha’s contribution to solving national and societal challenges. EGEP categorizes research groups by type and track, each group receiving up to KRW 500 million per year according to budget and discipline. This initiative will provide comprehensive support across disciplines, from AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and climate, to the humanities, social sciences, and convergence research, to help Ewha push forward into a globally competitive research university.
- No.167
- Writer
- Date2025.12.09
- Views21239

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