Director CHEON Jinwoo of the Center for Nanomedicine within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Underwood Distinguished Professor at Yonsei University, has been awarded the "Humboldt Research Award." The Humboldt Research Award is presented annually by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany to scholars who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. Among the scholars supported by the Humboldt Foundation to date, 59 have been Nobel Laureates.

The Humboldt Foundation introduced Director Cheon as one of the pioneers in nanomedicine research. He was highly praised for his contributions to establishing the field of precision nanomedicine through innovative and impactful research, particularly by integrating nanoscience into medicine.

Director Cheon described nanomedicine as "a field with limitless potential, capable of realizing futuristic scenarios seen in movies." Over the past 20 years, he has pioneered the field and presented numerous original and influential research findings. Notably, he developed Nano MagnetoGenetics (MG), a technology that uses magnetic fields to wirelessly control neurons in the brain. This technology has garnered attention as a game-changing tool for elucidating complex brain science, such as brain circuitry, and holds promise for the treatment of various brain and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease. Additionally, he was the first to develop a new form of contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using nanoparticles, leading to successful ultra-precise biomedical diagnostics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Director Cheon developed the "Nano PCR" technology, which dramatically reduces the time and cost required for conventional PCR diagnostics. This research achievement was recognized as a successful case of contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and was selected as a success story in the UN's Academic Impact. Director Cheon's contributions to the field of nanomedicine have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the Incheon Award, Cheongam Award, Hoam Award, and the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois.

Furthermore, Director Cheon has led the Center for Nanomedicine by actively engaging in collaborative research with prestigious universities and research institutions worldwide, contributing to the globalization of Korean science. In May of last year, he signed a "Joint Research Hub (JRH)" agreement with the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, one of the world's top research institutions, to establish an international research collaboration platform. Building on this initiative, the research division plans to expand agreements with research institutions in Europe and the Americas and emerge as a global hub for nanomedicine research.

Director Cheon expressed gratitude, stating, "Meeting passionate students, researchers, and outstanding collaborative scientists has been a great fortune. I am grateful for the support from IBS and Yonsei University, and I consider receiving the Humboldt Research Award as an encouragement to further lead the field of nanomedicine internationally."

Recipients of the Humboldt Research Award receive support for collaborative research with research institutions in Germany. Director Cheon will continue to collaborate with various basic science research institutions within Germany, including the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research.