The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has appointed two new directors, CHOI Young Ki from Chungbuk University, and SHIN Eui-Cheol from KAIST to lead the first research centers within the newly established Korea Virus Research Institute. It is hoped that the new institute will lead to new progress in the research of viral diseases, which would help improve national security against potential future pandemics. Professor Choi will serve as the first head of the institute, and the opening ceremony will be held on July 6 (Tuesday) at the IBS Science and Culture Center.

Director Choi graduated from Chungnam National University's Department of Veterinary Medicine and received a doctorate in virology from the University of Minnesota, USA. He has served as a professor at Chungbuk National University’s College of Medicine, where he conducted research on the mechanisms by which viruses infect hosts as well as developing vaccines. From July 1st, he will lead the Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses to identify the pathogenesis of new variants of zoonotic viruses and develop new diagnostic and treatment technologies.

The Center for Viral Immunology, led by Professor Shin, will be launched in October. Director Shin received a doctorate in medicine from Yonsei University College of Medicine and has pursued a career in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA. He is now a professor at the KAIST Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering. For the past 20 years, his research has been devoted to the study of the immune response to the hepatitis virus. The Center for Viral Immunology plans to study the body’s immune response against viruses and immunopathology mechanisms, in order to improve our knowledge base to respond to new viruses.

IBS President NOH Do Young said, “The Korea Virus Research Institute will become a base for conducting world-class basic science research in the field of virology. We will augment the nation's ability to respond to infectious diseases by utilizing the strengths of the existing IBS Research Centers, such as their excellent teams of researchers and open-ended group research environment."

Director CHOI Young Ki of the Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses	Director SHIN Eui-Cheol of the Center for Viral Immunology

IBS Communications Team
William I. Suh