Ph.D Graduates


Dr. Hyungjoo Kim

  • 1996 B.S. Medical School, SoonChunHyang University
  • 2010 Ph.D. Grad. School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST
    Mechanical property characterization of prostate cancer using a minimally invasive motorized indenter in an Ex-vivo indentation Experiment

Current Position: CTO and Head of Surgical Robot R&D Center, Meerecompany Inc.
Email: hjuro.kim at samsung dot com [LindkedIn]

Dr. Changmok Choi

  • 2005 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Inha University
  • 2011 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Surface electromyography interface study with neuromechanical models

Current Position: Principal Research, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Email: choi.changmok at gmail dot com [Google Scholar]

Dr. Bummo Ahn

  • 2005 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Pusan University
  • 2007 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Characterization of viscoelastic properties of intra-abdominal organs from in vitro indentation experiments and inverse finite element parameter optimization
  • 2011 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Inclusion detection with robotic palpation and mechanical property characterization for prostate abnormal tissue detection

Current Position: Principal Researcher, KITECH
Email: bummoahn at gmail dot com [Google Scholar]

Dr. Hyonyoung Han

  • 2005 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2007 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Motion artifact reduction with active noise cancellation and accelerometer for wearable Photoplethysmography
  • 2012 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Mechanical sensing of skeletal muscle contraction and fatigue for physical human-robot interaction 

Current Position: Senior Researcher, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)
Email: hyonyoung.han at etri dot re dot kr

Dr. Jungsik Kim

  • 2006 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Inha University
  • 2008 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of haptic rendering algorithm based-on vision-based force estimation for cell injection system
  • 2012 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    A study of oocyte/embryo manipulation using microfluidics and robotics

Current Position: Professional, LG Electronics Inc.
Email: jungsik.kim80 at gmail dot com [LinkedIn]

Dr. Yeongjin Kim

  • 2006 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2008 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Mechanical characterization of adherent cells with atomic force microscopy
  • 2012 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Tissue abnormality localization based on the internal structure analysis and inhomogeneous modeling

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Incheon National University
Email: ykim at inu dot ac dot kr [Google Scholar]

Dr. Suncheol Kwon

  • 2007 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
  • 2009 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    A physical human-machine interaction using surface electromyography of the upper limb
  • 2013 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Power assistance using surface electromyography and its influence on human movement stability

Current Position: Senior Research Officer, National Rehabilitation Center
Email: nrc.suncheol.kwon at gmail dot com [Google Scholar]

Dr. Pilwon Heo

  • 2004 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University
  • 2009 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University
  • 2015 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Glove-type assistive hand Exoskeleton with open fingerpad

Current Position: Co-Founder, i2A Systems Co., Ltd.
Email: pwheo at kaist dot ac dot kr

Dr. Gwangmin Gu

  • 2008 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2016 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Measurement and compensation of ankle stiffness using sensor-integrated pneumatic ankle foot orthosis

Current Position: Co-Founder, i2A Systems Co., Ltd.
Email: friendgoos at kaist dot ac dot kr [LinkedIn]

Dr. Seongtae Kim

  • 2000 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University
  • 2002 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2016 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Long-distance MR-compatible actuation method using cable-driven transmission

Current Position: i2A Systems Co., Ltd.
Email: st777.kim at samsung dot com

Dr. Youngjin Na

  • 2009 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2011 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Needle-based navigation system for sacral nerve stimulation using electromagnetic tracking and virtual images
  • 2016 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Surface electromyography-based force estimation considering muscle fatigue effect

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Sookmyung Women’s University
Email: yjna at sookmyung dot ac dot kr [Google Scholar]

Dr. Hyosang Lee

  • 2010 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
  • 2012 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Mechanical model for needle steering to dual-layered tissue
  • 2017 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Soft and stretchable tactile sensor using MWCNT-elastomer nanocomposite and anisotropic electrical impedance tomography

Current Position: Cyber Valley Research Group Leader, University of Stuttgart
Email: hyosang.lee at iis dot uni-stuttgart dot de [Google Scholar]

Dr. Hongchul Kim

  • 2003 B.S. Mechanical Engineerimng, Yeungnam Univ.
  • 2005 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, POSTECH
  • 2017 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Locomotion control for hydraulic lower extremity exoskeleton for stable walking on level and non-level ground

Current Position: Researcher, Agency for Defense Development
Email: kimhc at add dot re dot kr

Dr. Janghan Bae

  • 2007 B.S Biomechatronics Engineering, Sungkyunkwan university
  • 2009 M.S Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan university
  • 2019 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Soft computing approach for pulse pattern classification system to objectification of Korean medicine diagnosis

Current Position: Researcher, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
Email: fcbest11 at kiom dot re dot kr

Dr. Handdeut Chang

  • 2011 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Osaka University
  • 2013 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Osaka University
  • 2019 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of self-stabilizing variable stiffness actuation system with variable radius gear and high torque motor

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Incheon National University
Email: onemean at inu dot ac dot kr

Dr. Sangjoon J. Kim

  • 2012 B.S. Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2014 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of an MR-compatible hand exoskeleton for neuroscience studies and to monitor rehabilitation procedures of the hand grasping motion
  • 2019 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Untethered pneumatic ankle foot orthosis powered by a portable piston-crank compressor 

Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago)
Email: sangjoon.j.kim at gmail dot com [Google Scholar]

Dr. Junghoon Park

  • 2015 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2017 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of a wearable shear and normal ground reaction force measuring system for running and jumping
  • 2021 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Design of a fast response inflatable soft pneumatic bending actuator for wearable robots

Current Position: Staff Engineer, Samsung Research R&D Center
Email: junghoon0523 at gmail dot com

Dr. Yunjoo Kim

  • 2011 B.S. Bio & Brain Engineering, KAIST
  • 2014 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Quantitative analysis of passive wrist tremor suppression method to minimize voluntary motion deterioration
  • 2021 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of multimodal sensing system and interactive potential field technique for safe and natural robot teaching

Email: yunjooya at kaist dot ac dot kr [Google Scholar]

Dr. Kyungseo Park

  • 2016 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2018 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Durable and large-scale soft tactile sensor using CNT-coated porous elastomer and interference reduction Structure
  • 2022 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Biomimetic whole-body robotic skin for physical human-robot interaction

Current Position: Postdoctoral researcher, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Email: kyungseo at illinois dot edu [Website] [Google Scholar]

M.S. Graduates


Yunjoo Lee

  • 2007 B.S. Mechanical and Control Engineering, Handong University
  • 2009 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Design of a reflective-type photoplethysmographic sensor with motion artifact reduction

Email: rosela at kaist dot ac dot kr

Wonil Park

  • 2007 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
  • 2009 M.S. Robotics Program, KAIST
    Real-Time Finger Force Estimation from Surface Electromyography (sEMG) and a Musculoskeletal Model

Current Position: Founder/CEO, TimeBlocks Inc.
Email: wonil. park at timeblocks dot com

Dr. Wonkeun Youn

  • 2008 B.S. Mechanical and Control Engineering, Handong University
  • 2010 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Estimation of muscle force from mechanomyography (MMG) for physical human-robot interaction

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Chungnam National University
Email: wonkeunyoun at gmail dot com [Google Scholar]

Dr. Kihan Park

  • 2009 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2011 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Mirror image motion system with surface electromyography for shoulder rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients

Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Email: kihan.park at umassd dot edu [Google Scholar]

Dongjune Chang

  • 2010 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2012 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Design of a physiological hand tremor canceling mechanism for microsurgical applications

Current Position: PhD Candidate, Arizona State University
Email: jdj7890 at unm dot edu [Google Scholar] [LinkedIn]

Jina Son

  • 2011 B.S. Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University
  • 2013 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of sole instrumentation system for estimating ground reaction force in biomechanics

Current Position: Researcher, Hyundai Motor Co.
Email: jinas8804 at gmail dot com

Yongkyun Shin

  • 2010 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto
  • 2013 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Orientation control of single cells in microfluidic channel

Current Position: Lead Test Engineer, General Motors
Email: yongkyuns at gmail dot com [LinkedIn]

Dongju Lee

  • 2011 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2013 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Quantitative assessment of human sensitivity of scanning in lump detection

Current Position: Research Software Engineer, NAVER Corporation
Email: greyowl at kaist dot ac dot kr [LinkedIn]

Haedo Cho

  • 2014 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Inha University
  • 2016 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Design of a flexible tactile sensor for measuring fingertip force and contact recognition

Current Position: PhD Candidate, Harvard University
Email: hcho at seas dot harvard dot edu [Google Scholar]

Hyein Lee

  • 2015 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Inha university
  • 2017 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Development of an optical type torque sensor and application to impedance control

Current Position: Researcher, LG Electronics Inc.
Email: hyein.lee14 at gmail dot ac dot kr

Natasha Jung

  • 2014 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
  • 2018 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
    M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST (Dual Degree program)
    A heuristic approach for a puzzle-based system providing material dynamically

Current Position: Solution Area Lead, HOMAG Group
Email: natasha.jung at durr dot com [LinkedIn]

Lukas Rossel

  • 2015 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
  • 2018 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
    M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST (Dual Degree program)
    Investigation on the reuse of recycled carbon fibers in various non-wovens for HP-RTM and WCM processes

Email: rossel at kaist dot ac dot kr

Isacco Zappa

  • 2018 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
  • 2021 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
    M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST (Dual Degree program)
    Simulated solution for the heterogeneous pallet loading problem and application with a robotic manipulator

Email: Isacco.zappa at polimi dot it

Chaeree Park

  • 2021 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
  • 2023 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Unsupervised sim-real adaptation of the proprioceptive soft robot

Email: cofl0530 at kaist dot ac dot kr

Sanghoon Yang

  • 2021 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
  • 2023 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, KAIST
    Classification and pose estimation of in-hand object through contact information

Email: ysh2146 at kaist dot ac dot kr