The Ministry of Science and ICT has announced the appointment of Jang Seok-bok as the new director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), marking the fourth director in the institute's history. Jang, who also serves as the head of the Molecular Activation Catalysis Research Group at IBS and a distinguished professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), will begin his five-year term immediately.
Born in 1962, Jang graduated from Korea University with a degree in chemistry in 1985. He earned his master's degree in chemistry from KAIST in 1987 and completed his Ph.D. at Harvard University in 1996.
Jang has made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry and catalytic reactions, being recognized as one of the top 1% researchers globally for eight consecutive years. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), a leading journal in the field of chemistry.
Since the establishment of the IBS research group in 2012, Jang has led the Molecular Activation Catalysis Research Group. His appointment marks the first time an IBS research group leader has been elevated to the position of director.
The Ministry of Science and ICT expressed optimism about Jang's appointment, stating, "With a scholar who possesses both academic authority and practical experience in research, we expect IBS to advance as a leading global research institution and contribute to the development of the domestic basic science research ecosystem."
IBS was established in November 2011 to conduct world-class basic science research, with its headquarters located in Daejeon. The institute collaborates with major science and technology universities in South Korea, including KAIST, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), to foster cooperative research initiatives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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