Seven IBS Scientists Named World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers

Accounting for 13.1% of Korea’s scientists on the list

Seven researchers of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) made to the 2019 list of scientists who produced the most influential research papers. Clarivate Analytics, a global leader in providing citation data, released the 2019 Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) list on November 20. According to the list, 41 scientists affiliated with Korean institutions received this honor with their names listed 45 times. Of those, seven are from IBS with two names appearing in more than one field. Among domestic institutions, IBS has the second highest concentration of HCRs, following closely behind Seoul National University with nine names.

Clarivate Analytics recognizes researchers “who produced multiple papers ranking in the top 1% by citations for their field and year of publication, demonstrating significant research influence among their peers,” according to Web of Science group, a Clarivate Analytics company. This year, the six-year old list honored 6,216 researchers from nearly 60 countries in 22 fields.

Director Rodney S. Ruoff of the Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials and Director Hyeon Taeghwan of the Center for Nanoparticle Research were included in both chemistry and materials science. Both scholars have annually appeared in multiple categories since the inception of the list. Director Chang Sukbok of the Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations has been selected in the field of chemistry five years in a row.

Director Kim Jin-Soo of the Center for Genome Engineering (biology and biochemistry), Director Lee Young Hee of the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (cross-field), Director Axel Timmermann of the Center for Climate Physics (cross-field), Associate Director Kim Dae-Hyeong of the Center for Nanoparticle Research (materials science) were selected as well.

So far, IBS has produced 11 researchers, accounting for 13.1% of the 84 listed scientists who are affiliated with Korean institutions. Acting President Kim Yeongduk said, “It demonstrates that IBS researchers have been internationally recognized for their influential research. IBS will continue to support our outstanding researchers in carrying out world-leading research.”

▲ The 2019 HCR list by Clarivate Analytics has seven IBS researchers. So far, 11 IBS researchers have been named to the list.