Prof. Dr. Young Whan Choi | Bioscience | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Department of Horticultural Bioscience, College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Pusan National University, South Korea

Dr. Young-Whan Choi 🌿 is a Professor in the Department of Horticultural Bioscience at Pusan National University 🇰🇷. With a Ph.D. in Horticulture 🎓, his expertise lies in isolating and analyzing natural bioactive compounds from medicinal herbs 🌱. He has led numerous studies on the biological activities of plant-based extracts and holds over 70 patents 🔍. A former visiting professor at the University of Mississippi 🇺🇸, he has also served as Dean and Director at Pusan National University 🏫. Dr. Choi has earned multiple awards 🏆 for excellence in research, teaching, and industry-academia cooperation.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

✅ Summary of Suitability

Prof. Young-Whan Choi is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to his distinguished academic track record, prolific contributions to natural products research, and leadership in horticultural bioscience. His decades-long career demonstrates not only consistent scientific output but also innovation at the intersection of natural bioactive compounds, nanotechnology, and metabolic health.

🎓 Education & Experience

🎓 Education

📘 Ph.D. in Horticulture – Gyeongsang National University, Chinju (1992)
📗 M.S. in Horticulture – Gyeongsang National University, Chinju (1986)
📙 B.S. in Horticulture – Gyeongsang National University, Chinju (1984)

👨‍🏫 Professional Experience

🧪 Professor, Pusan National University (2006–Present)
📚 Professor to Lecturer, Miryang National University (1993–2006)
🌎 Visiting Professor, University of Mississippi, USA (2003–2005)
🧬 Agricultural Researcher, NIHHS, Korea (1993)

🌱 Professional Development

Dr. Choi has made significant contributions to the field of plant biosciences through professional leadership roles and editorial activities 📖. He served as Dean 👨‍💼 of the College of Bio-Resources and Life Science and as Director 🏢 of the Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute at Pusan National University. He held the role of Vice President 🤝 of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science and was an editor ✍️ for leading journals including HEB and HST. His active involvement in both academic and industrial collaborations 🤝 has helped bridge research with real-world applications, enhancing Korea’s standing in horticultural biotechnology 🌏.

🏁 Conclusion

Prof. Young-Whan Choi stands out as a visionary leader and accomplished scientist in the field of horticultural bioscience and natural therapeutics. His research spans bench-to-product applications, blending traditional botany with modern pharmacological and nanotechnological methods. His consistent scientific output, leadership roles, innovation, and societal contributions make him an excellent and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Top Notes:

1. **Induction of Browning in White Adipocytes: Fucoidan Characterization and Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis from Undaria pinnatifida Sporophyll Extract**

Authors: Park, Sun-young; Park, Kangmin; Kang, Hye-mi; Choi, Young Whan; Park, Geuntae
Journal: Marine Drugs, 2023
Citations: 2
Access: Open access
Summary: This study investigates the bioactivity of fucoidan extracted from Undaria pinnatifida sporophylls and its role in inducing browning of white adipocytes. It also covers the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the extract, indicating potential anti-obesity applications.

2. OGD/R-induced ferroptosis and pyroptosis in retinal pigment epithelium cells: Role of PLD1 and PLD2 modulation

Authors: Park, Sun-young; Kang, Hemi; Park, Geuntae; Oh, Jinwoo; Choi, Young Whan
Journal: Cell Biochemistry and Function, 2023
Citations: 6
Summary: The paper explores mechanisms of cell death—ferroptosis and pyroptosis—under oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in retinal pigment epithelial cells, highlighting phospholipase D isoforms as regulatory targets.

3. **Adiposity Reduction by Cucumis melo var. gaettongchamoe Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice**

Authors: Park, Sun-young; Kim, Jieun; Kang, Hemi; Hwang, Dae-youn; Choi, Young Whan
Journal: Nutrients, 2023
Citations: 2
Access: Open access
Summary: This research demonstrates the anti-obesity effects of Cucumis melo extract, emphasizing its role in body weight control and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

4. **Anti‑tumor Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Ecklonia cava in BALB/cKorl Syngeneic Mice Using Colon Carcinoma CT26 Cells**

Authors: Gong, Jeong-eun; Kim, Jieun; Park, Sohae; Hong, Jin-tae; Hwang, Dae-youn
Journal: Oncology Reports, 2023
Citations: 6
Access: Open access
Summary: This study evaluates the anti-cancer activity of Ecklonia cava extract in vivo using colon carcinoma models, demonstrating promising tumor-suppressing effects.

5. Sex-specific Responses to Juvenile Stress on the Dopaminergic System in an Animal Model of ADHD

Authors: Jung, Dahee; Lee, Hongju; Choi, Young Whan; Shin, Hwakyoung; Choi, Byungtae
Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2023
Citations: 1
Access: Open access
Summary: The article investigates the differing neurochemical and behavioral impacts of early-life stress on male and female rats, contributing to a better understanding of ADHD pathophysiology.

Prof. Kang-Nan Wang , Shandong University, China

Wang Kangnan is a professor and doctoral advisor at the State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University. A member of the Communist Party of China, he hails from Weifang, Shandong. His research focuses on subcellular organelle-targeted photofunctional materials for super-resolution tracking, pathological intervention, and synergistic diagnosis and therapy. He has published over 70 high-impact papers in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Adv. Mater., ACS Nano, and more. His work has been cited over 2,500 times and is supported by national and provincial funds. 📧

Professional Profile:

Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Prof. Wang Kangnan

Prof. Wang Kangnan is an outstanding researcher in the field of subcellular organelle-targeted photofunctional materials. His pioneering work in super-resolution tracking, pathological intervention, and photodynamic therapy has significantly advanced biomedical research, particularly in cancer diagnostics and treatment. With over 70 high-impact publications, multiple patents, and strong national and provincial research funding, his contributions demonstrate both innovation and real-world applicability. His expertise is further recognized by prestigious awards such as the Taishan Young Scholar and Qilu Young Scholar, and his role as an editorial boar

Education & Experience 🎓🔬

2009-2016: 📍 Jinan University – B.S./M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering (Mentor: Prof. Du-Xia Cao)

2016-2019: 📍 Sun Yat-sen University – Ph.D. in Chemical Biology (Mentor: Prof. Zongwan Mao)

2019-2022: 🌍 National University of Singapore – Postdoctoral Research (Mentor: Prof. Liu Bin)

2022-Present: 🏛️ Shandong University – Professor & Doctoral Advisor

Professional Development 📈🔬

Wang Kangnan has made significant contributions to the development of subcellular organelle-targeted photofunctional materials. His work spans three key areas: super-resolution tracking of organelle interactions, pathological intervention in disease states, and photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. His research is widely recognized, with over 70 publications and multiple patents, one of which has been successfully transferred. He serves as an editorial board member for several scientific journals and is an expert advisor for intellectual property and innovation in Shandong and Jinan. His contributions have been supported by national and provincial research funds.

Research Focus 🔬✨

Prof. Wang specializes in subcellular organelle-targeted photofunctional materials, with applications in:
1️⃣ Super-resolution tracking 🧬 – Visualizing key organelles’ functions and interactions
2️⃣ Pathological intervention 🏥 – Understanding organelle interactions under disease conditions
3️⃣ Photodynamic therapy 💡 – Light-activated synergistic cancer diagnosis and treatment
His work integrates fluorescence imaging, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and nanomedicine, driving innovation in biomedical research. His research is highly cited in Chem. Rev., JACS, and Chem. Soc. Rev., advancing precision medicine and theranostics.

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️

🌍 National Overseas Postdoctoral Recruitment Grant (China)

🏅 Taishan Young Scholar (Shandong Province)

🏆 Qilu Young Scholar (Shandong University)

🏅 Jinan City C-Class Leading Talent

🏆 National Natural Science Foundation of China (General & Youth Projects)

🏅 Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Youth Project)

🌍 Guangdong Outstanding Talent International Training Program

🏆 Shenzhen Natural Science Foundation (General Projects)

Publication Top Notes:

Synergistic photoinduction of ferroptosis and apoptosis by a mitochondria-targeted iridium complex for bladder cancer therapy (2025) – Cited by 15

A novel high signal-to-noise ratio fluorescent probe for real-time mitochondrial viscosity detection and imaging in vitro and in vivo (2024) – Cited by 20