SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - Lee Sang-yeop, a distinguished professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and vice president of research at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology was awarded the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Translational Research Award in Brisbane, Australia, on February 3, the South Korean institute said in a statement on Monday.
The Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Medal is a prestigious global recognition reserved for scientists who bridge the gap between academic discovery and industrial application. Unlike traditional academic honors that prioritize citation volume, this award evaluates a researcher’s impact on technology dissemination, international cooperation, and social value. Sue Harrison, the University of Queensland’s deputy vice-chancellor of research, personally delivered the medal to Professor Lee.
Professor Lee has spent more than three decades at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) leading the development of systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. His career includes the publication of 798 academic papers and the filing of 868 patents. Beyond his individual research, AIBN credited Professor Lee with playing a foundational role in shaping the institute’s research strategy during its formative years between 2006 and 2007.
The collaboration between Professor Lee and Australian researchers began with sugar-based bio-manufacturing and evolved into high-impact projects involving sustainable aviation fuel and waste gas fermentation. This partnership eventually expanded into a global network including the University of California, Berkeley, and industry leaders such as Amyris, LanzaTech, and SkyNRG. These efforts helped establish the University of Queensland as a premier research hub for bio-manufacturing in Australia.
Professor Lee currently holds international memberships in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society in the United Kingdom, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He also previously served as co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biotechnology.
"This AIBN Medal is more than a personal achievement; it is the culmination of long-standing cooperation between KAIST, the University of Queensland, and researchers across South Korea and Australia," Professor Lee said. "It proves that systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can provide tangible solutions for sustainable industry and global social issues."
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung noted that the award reflects the university’s commitment to research that moves beyond the laboratory. He stated that the institution will continue to prioritize global partnerships that translate biotechnological breakthroughs into real-world value.
Although Professor Lee was named the inaugural recipient of the AIBN Medal in 2016, the formal ceremony was delayed by nearly a decade due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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