Jinkyu Lim | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Jinkyu Lim | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Hanbat National University, South Korea 

Dr. Jinkyu Lim is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Hanbat National University, South Korea, with a distinguished background in electrocatalysis, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy systems. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from KAIST, where he conducted pioneering research on shape-controlled electrocatalysts for CO₂ and water electrolysis. His academic journey includes prestigious fellowships and scholarships from the Korean government and a B.S. from Yonsei University with high honors. Dr. Lim has held research appointments at world-renowned institutions such as Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he advanced novel X-ray spectroscopy techniques. With over 25 publications in leading journals like Energy & Environmental Science, Green Chemistry, and ACS Catalysis, his interdisciplinary work bridges chemical engineering, materials science, and energy technologies. His expertise in electrochemical system design, biohybrid systems, and nanostructure synthesis positions him as a rising leader in the field of sustainable chemical engineering.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has pursued an outstanding academic path in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) in 2021, where he conducted groundbreaking research on shape-controlled electrocatalysts for gas diffusion electrodes in water and CO₂ electrolysis, supported by the prestigious Global Ph.D. Fellowship and a KAIST scholarship. Prior to that, he completed his M.S. at KAIST in 2017 with a perfect GPA of 4.00/4.30, focusing on minimizing iridium usage through bimetallic nanoparticle design. Dr. Lim began his academic journey with a B.S. from Yonsei University in 2015, graduating with High Honors (top 3% of his class) and earning the National Science and Technology Scholarship for academic excellence. His education reflects a consistent record of excellence, innovation, and full scholarship recognition at South Korea’s most elite institutions.

💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has built an impressive professional career marked by international research excellence and academic leadership. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Hanbat National University, South Korea (2025–Present). Before this, he held the same position in the Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering at The Catholic University of Korea (2023–2025), contributing to advancements in sustainable energy technologies. From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Lim worked as a Research Associate at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Stanford University), where he developed cutting-edge X-ray absorption spectrometers for analyzing extremely dilute samples. He also briefly served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at KAIST in 2021, working on biohybrid electrolysis systems. Earlier in his academic career, he was a Visiting Graduate Student Research Assistant at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2017–2018), where he explored inverse opal photonic crystals for CO₂ electrolysis. Dr. Lim’s diverse experience across prestigious institutions highlights his expertise in catalysis, spectroscopy, and electrochemical system design, positioning him as a globally active and innovative researcher.

🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim’s research is centered on advancing sustainable electrochemical technologies through innovative materials and system design. His primary interests lie in electrocatalysis for CO₂ reduction and water splitting, with a strong focus on developing nanostructured catalysts and gas diffusion electrode systems to improve efficiency and selectivity. He is also deeply engaged in the synthesis and characterization of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, exploring their shape-controlled functionalities for energy applications. Another major area of his research involves biohybrid electrolysis systems, integrating living bacteria with electrocatalytic platforms to enable green chemical production. In addition, Dr. Lim specializes in advanced X-ray spectroscopy techniques, including operando studies using synchrotron and XFEL sources, to probe catalytic mechanisms at the atomic level. His interdisciplinary approach connects chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental sustainability, aiming to contribute scalable solutions to global energy and climate challenges.

🏅 Awards and Honors of Dr. Jinkyu Lim

Dr. Jinkyu Lim has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his academic and research career, reflecting his excellence and promise in the field of chemical engineering. He was a recipient of the highly competitive Global Ph.D. Fellowship from the Korean government, which fully funded his doctoral studies at KAIST, one of Asia’s top research institutions. He also earned the KAIST Scholarship and the National Scholarship during his master’s program for academic distinction. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Lim was awarded the National Science and Technology Scholarship based on his exceptional performance in the Korean SAT and sustained academic excellence, graduating in the top 3% of his class at Yonsei University. Additionally, he was supported by the BK21 PLUS Fellowship during his international research stint at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These accolades not only highlight his academic merit but also his consistent dedication to impactful, high-quality research at both national and global levels.

📝 Conclusion

Dr. Jinkyu Lim is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award in recognition of His impactful, cross-disciplinary, and future-forward research in electrocatalysis, CO₂ conversion, and green energy technologies. His international collaborations, methodological innovations, and contributions to high-impact publications.

📚Publications Top Noted

  1. Title: The Liquid Jet Endstation for Hard X-ray Scattering and Spectroscopy at the Linac Coherent Light Source
    Authors: Cali Antolini; Victor Sosa Alfaro; Marco Reinhard; Gourab Chatterjee; Ryan Ribson; Dimosthenis Sokaras; Leland Gee; Takahiro Sato; Patrick Kramer; Sumana L. Raj et al.
    Year: 2024-05

  2. Title: Amorphous Ir atomic clusters anchored on crystalline IrO₂ nanoneedles for proton exchange membrane water oxidation
    Authors: Lim, J.; Kang, G.; Lee, J.W.; Jeon, S.S.; Jeon, H.; Kang, P.W.; Lee, H.
    Year: 2022

  3. Title: Atomically ordered Pt₃Mn intermetallic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells
    Authors: Lim, J.; Jung, C.; Hong, D.; Bak, J.; Shin, J.; Kim, M.; Song, D.; Lee, C.; Lim, J.; Lee, H. et al.
    Year: 2022

  4. Title: Electrodeposited Sn-Cu@Sn dendrites for selective electrochemical CO₂ reduction to formic acid
    Authors: Lim, J.; Garcia-Esparza, A.T.; Lee, J.W.; Kang, G.; Shin, S.; Jeon, S.S.; Lee, H.
    Year: 2022

  5. Title: Photo-assisted electrochemical CO₂ reduction using a translucent thin film electrode
    Authors: Kang, P.W.; Lim, J.; Haaring, R.; Lee, H.
    Year: 2022

  6. Title: Design Principles of NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Anode Catalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
    Authors: Jeon, S.S.; Lim, J.; Kang, P.W.; Lee, J.W.; Kang, G.; Lee, H.
    Year: 2021

Xiang Li | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Xiang Li | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Fudan University, China

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li is a leading expert in environmental science and engineering at Fudan University, renowned for his groundbreaking research on the use of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in non-invasive disease diagnostics, particularly for cancer. His work integrates advanced analytical chemistry, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence to develop individualized breath “fingerprints” for early disease detection. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leadership in more than 20 funded research projects totaling over 15 million CNY, Prof. Li has significantly contributed to the understanding of air pollution exposure, environmental carbon cycling, and emerging pollutants. He has developed novel breath analysis systems and VOC detection platforms that hold strong potential for large-scale clinical application. His collaborations with international institutions and interdisciplinary approach exemplify a strong commitment to advancing both scientific knowledge and public health outcomes.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education of Prof. Dr. Xiang Li

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li received his foundational training and advanced education in environmental science and analytical chemistry, culminating in a Ph.D. that laid the groundwork for his pioneering research in atmospheric pollutants and breathomics. While the exact institutions for his undergraduate and doctoral studies are not explicitly mentioned, his academic journey includes postdoctoral training at the University of Waterloo in Canada, under the mentorship of renowned scientist Prof. Janusz Pawliszyn, a global leader in microextraction technologies. This international academic exposure enriched his expertise in cutting-edge analytical techniques and positioned him for a distinguished career blending environmental monitoring, analytical chemistry, and public health diagnostics.

💼 Professional Experience of Prof. Dr. Xiang Li

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li has built a distinguished academic and research career at Fudan University, where he currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering. His professional journey began in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, followed by promotions to Associate Professor in 2011 and Full Professor in 2016, reflecting his sustained contributions to environmental research and academic leadership. He further enhanced his global research perspective through a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Waterloo, Canada, and a visiting scholar position at TROPOS in Germany, collaborating with leading atmospheric chemist Prof. Hartmut Herrmann. Over the years, Prof. Li has led numerous high-impact national and international research projects, contributing significantly to the fields of environmental monitoring, air pollution, and disease diagnostics through breath analysis.

🔬 Research Interests of Prof. Dr. Xiang Li

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li’s research interests lie at the intersection of environmental science, analytical chemistry, and biomedical diagnostics. His primary focus is on the analysis of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to develop non-invasive diagnostic tools for major diseases, especially cancers such as colorectal, gastric, and brain cancer. By combining high-fidelity breath sampling systems with advanced VOC detection platforms and artificial intelligence, he aims to decode individual metabolic signatures and establish breath-based disease classification models. Beyond breathomics, his interests also encompass environmental carbon cycling, extreme climate events, air organic pollution exposure, emerging pollutants, and environmental analytical chemistry. Prof. Li’s interdisciplinary approach bridges environmental monitoring with human health, contributing significantly to both scientific innovation and public health solutions.

🏅 Awards and Honors of Prof. Dr. Xiang Li

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li has earned widespread recognition for his impactful contributions to environmental science and public health, though specific named awards or honors are not explicitly listed in the available profile. His academic distinction is reflected in his steady progression to Full Professorship at Fudan University and his role as principal investigator in numerous prestigious, competitively funded research projects, including several grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and international collaborations such as the Sino-German joint research initiatives. Additionally, his postdoctoral fellowship under Prof. Janusz Pawliszyn and visiting scholar position at TROPOS with Prof. Hartmut Herrmann underscore his international standing and recognition in the scientific community. His innovations in breathomics and environmental diagnostics have positioned him as a leading researcher in his field. Further details on formal awards may enhance the documentation of his professional accolades.

🧾 Conclusion 

Prof. Dr. Xiang Li is an exceptionally strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research exemplifies innovation, societal relevance, and technical depth. He is a pioneer in integrating breathomics, environmental exposure analysis, and artificial intelligence to address critical challenges in public health and diagnostics. His prolific publication record, leadership in major national and international projects, and clear trajectory of scientific advancement make him highly suitable for recognition at this level.

📝 Publications

  1. Title: Integrated smart mass spectrometry platform enables volatilomics based breath biopsy
    Authors: Shangzhewen Li, Zhiheng Yu, Zhengnan Cen, Xiang Li
    Year: 2025
    DOI: 10.1016/j.greeac.2025.100284
    Citations: N/A

       2. Title: Advancing Breathomics through Accurate Discrimination of Endogenous from Exogenous Volatiles in Breath
           Authors: Zhengnan Cen, Yuerun Huang, Shangzhewen Li, Shanshan Dong, Wenshan Wang, Xiang Li
           Year: 2024
           DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04575
           Citations: N/A

       3. Title: Nitrate pollution deterioration in winter driven by surface ozone increase
           Authors: Zekun Zhang, Bingqing Lu, Chao Liu, Xue Meng, Jiakui Jiang, Hartmut Herrmann, Jianmin Chen, Xiang Li
           Year: 2024
           DOI: 10.1038/s41612-024-00667-5
           Citations: N/A

       4.Title: Exhaled volatolomics profiling facilitates personalized screening for gastric cancer
          Authors: Jian Chen, Yongyan Ji, Yongqian Liu, Zhengnan Cen, Yuanwen Chen, Yixuan Zhang, Xiaowen Li, Xiang Li
          Year: 2024
          DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216881
          Citations: N/A