SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - South Korea has produced its first fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) with the induction of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology's Distinguished Professor Lee Sang-yup. The prominent research institute said Friday that Lee was officially elected to the academy on March 19, making him the first researcher from an Asian institution to join the prestigious body.
The EAM serves as the leadership tier of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), a network representing 30,000 scientists across 38 nations. Founded in 2009, the academy acts as a primary advisory body for European science policy and international research cooperation. Membership is restricted to scholars who have demonstrated significant impact on the field of microbiology through high-level research and academic leadership.
Selection for the fellowship is a closed process where candidates are nominated and vetted by existing members without their knowledge. In the 2026 cohort of 95 new fellows, the vast majority were based in Europe. Outside of the continent, the academy selected 16 researchers from the United States and three from Australia, with Lee standing as the sole representative from Asia.
Professor Lee is widely regarded as a pioneer in the fields of systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. His work focuses on re-engineering microorganisms to serve as microscopic factories. These microbes are programmed to convert renewable biomass into useful chemicals, fuels, and materials, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based manufacturing.
"I find this election to the European Academy of Microbiology very meaningful," Lee Sang-yup said. "I will continue to contribute to solving environmental and energy challenges facing humanity through microbial-based sustainable production technologies, while actively participating in international research and academic exchange."
His research at KAIST over the last 31 years has led to several industrial breakthroughs, including the development of biodegradable polymers, high-efficiency succinic acid production, and spider silk that is stronger than steel. To date, he has published 796 journal papers and registered or applied for more than 860 patents.
Lee's career has been defined by a series of international firsts. He remains the only scientist in the world to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the Royal Society, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He has also been named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate for nine consecutive years, placing him in the top 1 percent of his field globally.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.