On October 28 th , Korea University’s College of Medicine (Dean Pyun Sung-Bom) and Yale University hosted a joint forum with the topic of 'Basic and Clinical Neuroscience' at lecture room 320, main building.
This joint forum was a part of the 120 th anniversary celebration of Korea University. Following the last year’s theme of medical informatics, this year’s theme was neuroscience. The purpose of this forum was to realize the direction of joint research between the two universities and further enhancing their global cooperation system.
The event was participated by Yale University deans and leading researchers including Nancy J. Brown, Yale University Dean; Anthony Koleske, Deputy Dean for Research; Stephen M. Strittmatter, Director of Kavli Institute for Neuroscience; Emily J. Gilmore, Clinical Chief of Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology; Nenad Sestan, Executive Director of Genome Editing Center; Janghoo Lim, Co-director of Graduate Studies, Genetics. As from Korea University, Key officials and faculty members including President Kim Dong-Won; President Yoon Eul-Sik; Dean Pyun Sung-Bom; Professor Hwang Sun-Wook; Professor Roh Ji-Hoon of Physiology; Professor Kim Jung-Bin of Neurology; Professor Han Ki-Hoon of Neuroscience; and Professor Sun Woong of Anatomy.
The event consisted of three sessions to cover a wide range of the latest research trends and cooperation methods for training in the field of neuroscience. The opening ceremony was proceeded by Professor Park Hyun-mi of Medical Education, followed by President Kim Dong-won’s congratulatory remarks, President Yoon Eul-Sik’s welcoming remarks, and Dean Nancy J. Brown’s opening remarks.
In session 1, Dean Brown said in her keynote speech that, “Medical education is not about just delivering knowledge. It is about establishing an environment where students themselves can ask questions and explore. Yale and Korea University’s clinical and research practice as well as training program to nurture physician scientists will be a great foundation for the future physician scientists to grow.”
In session 2, Professor Kang Sung-Hoon (Department of Neurology, Guro Hospital), Director Stephen M. Strittmatter (Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience), Professor Roh Ji-hoon (Department of Physiology), Clinical Chief Emily J. Gilmore (Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery), and Professor Kim Jung-Bin (Department of Neurology) shared major research results in the field of clinical neuroscience, focusing on degenerative brain diseases and epilepsy.
In session 3, Deputy Dean Anthony Koleske (Ensign Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and of Neuroscience), Professor Han Ki-hoon (Department of Neuroscience), Executive Director Nenad Sestan (Professor of Neuroscience), Professor Sun Woong (Department of Anatomy), and Co-director Janghoo Lim (Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience) shared basic neuroscience research results and had in-depth discussion, including synaptic circuits, key molecules in brain diseases, and brain organoids.
During the working-level meeting held prior to the forum, the two universities agreed to annualize the joint forum and discussed how to expand the research topics that will be covered at the 2028 forum commemorating the 100 th anniversary of Korea University’s College of Medicine. In addition, the two universities decided that a Yale University professor in charge of the Physician Scientist Training Program is to visit Korea University at the event year and provide advice on the physician scientist training system.
During the scientific short talks, Professor Park Jin-Woo (Department of Neurology, Anam Hospital), Professor Kim Chi-Kyung (Department of Neurology, Guro Hospital), Professor Baek Seol-Hee (Department of Neurology, Ansan Hospital), and Professor Kim Eun-Ha (Department of Neuroscience) made presentations which promoted joint research with Yale University’s School of Medicine based on the latest advancements in neuroscience.
Dean Pyun Sung-Bom said, “Neuroscience connects the basics and clinical aspects. This is one of the key areas for the future precision medicine. Through Korea University-Yale University Joint Forum, we will enhance our global research and education network by deepening our research and expanding exchanges.”