Dr. Jong-Gook Kim | Environmental Engineering  | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jong-Gook Kim at Korea Institute of Science and Technology Jeonbuk, South Korea

Dr. Jong-Gook Kim🇰🇷 is a dedicated environmental engineer specializing in soil and groundwater remediation, water/wastewater treatment, and sustainable environmental technologies 🌱💧. With a Ph.D. from Jeonbuk National University 🎓, he has gained hands-on experience in electrochemical processes, heavy metal removal, and carbon-based solutions ♻️⚗️. He has worked in leading research institutes including KIST and Northeastern University, contributing to critical global challenges like carbon dioxide removal 🌍🧪. Dr. Kim also holds patents in innovative environmental treatments and has served as a lecturer, researcher, and project leader across academia and industry 🧑‍🏫📊.

Professional Profile:

Scholar

🔸 Education & Experience 

📘 Education

• 🎓 B.Sc. Environmental Engineering, Jeonbuk National University (2011–2017)

• 📚 M.Sc. Environmental Engineering (2017–2019) – Focus on g-C₃N₄ Photocatalysis

• 🎓 Ph.D. Environmental Engineering (2019–2023) – Focus on Electrochemical Transformation & Pyrite Oxidation

💼 Experience

• 🧪 Postdoctoral Research Associate, KIST (2024–Present) – Biomass-based carbon & environmental applications

• 🌊 Postdoctoral Researcher, Northeastern University (2023–2024) – Groundwater remediation, CO₂ removal, battery recycling

• 🧼 Postdoc, Glocal Resource Recycling Research Group, JBNU (2023) – Advanced oxidation & adsorbent technologies

• 👨‍🏫 Lecturer, JBNU (2023) – Taught Soil and Groundwater Environment

💼 Experience

• 🏢 Import Trade Compliance Analyst – Honeywell Intl SRO, Prague (2023–Present)

• 📦 Import/Export Analyst (Short-Term) – Honeywell Spol SRO, Prague (2022–2023)

• 🚛 Import & Export Supervisor – ASELPLAST Ambalaj, Gaziantep (2020–2021)

• 🧪 Innovation & Process Specialist – SANAT HALI & KARTAL Carpet, Gaziantep (2018–2019)

• 📄 Customer Representative – SELÇUK İPLİK & KARA Holding, Gaziantep (2016–2017)

🌱 Professional Development 

Dr. Kim has consistently advanced his skills in multidisciplinary environmental engineering through international collaborations, field-based research, and project leadership 🌐📈. His postdoctoral experiences have sharpened his expertise in pilot-scale systems, carbon material applications, and novel wastewater treatment technologies 🧪🧼. Through managing diverse projects such as Ocean Iron Fertilization and CO₂ electrochemical reduction 🌊🔋, he demonstrates a strong integration of science, sustainability, and innovation. He actively publishes research papers, secures patents, and contributes to professional forums, showcasing his dedication to continuous learning, collaboration, and real-world impact 📑💡🌍.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Jong-Gook Kim’s research focuses on environmental remediation, particularly using advanced materials and electrochemical techniques for sustainable water and soil treatment 🌱🧪. His expertise includes the oxidation/reduction of pollutants, adsorption technologies, recycling of industrial waste, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through innovative methods like Ocean Iron Fertilization 🌊🌫️. He works with biomass-derived carbon, g-C₃N₄, pyrite, and metal sulfides to develop environmentally friendly technologies for tackling heavy metals, arsenic, and persistent organic pollutants 🧫⚛️. His multidisciplinary research bridges environmental chemistry, electrochemistry, and resource recycling ♻️🧠.

🏆 Awards and Honors 

• 🏆 Intellectual Property & Recognition

  • 🧬 Patent (KR): Hydroxyl Radical Generation Using Pyrite & Oxygen-Releasing Compounds

  • 🧪 Patent (KR): Livestock Landfill Leachate Treatment Composition

  • ⚡ Patent Application: Electrochemical ROS Generation Using Metal Sulfides

  • 🌱 Patent Application: Electrochemical Modification of Biochar

  • 📜 Copyright (KR): Efficiency in Electrochemical Oxidation

  • 💡 Copyright (KR): Arsenic Removal with Iron-Modified g-C₃N₄

Publication Top Notes:

1. Title: Occurrence and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and drinking water purification facilities: A review
   Cheng, Y.L., Kim, J.G., Kim, H.B., Choi, J.H., Tsang, Y.F., & Baek, K. (2021). Occurrence and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and drinking water purification facilities: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 410, 128381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.128381

2. Title: Interaction of biochar stability and abiotic aging: Influences of pyrolysis reaction medium and temperature
   Kim, H.B., Kim, J.G., Kim, T., Alessi, D.S., & Baek, K. (2021). Interaction of biochar stability and abiotic aging: Influences of pyrolysis reaction medium and temperature. Chemical Engineering Journal, 411, 128441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.128441

3. Title: Mobility of arsenic in soil amended with biochar derived from biomass with different lignin contents: Relationships between lignin content and dissolved organic matter leaching
   Kim, H.B., Kim, J.G., Kim, T., Alessi, D.S., & Baek, K. (2020). Mobility of arsenic in soil amended with biochar derived from biomass with different lignin contents: Relationships between lignin content and dissolved organic matter leaching. Chemical Engineering Journal, 393, 124687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.124687

4. Title: Simultaneous oxidation and adsorption of arsenic by one-step fabrication of alum sludge and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)
   Kim, J.G., Kim, H.B., Yoon, G.S., Kim, S.H., Min, S.J., Tsang, D.C.W., & Baek, K. (2020). Simultaneous oxidation and adsorption of arsenic by one-step fabrication of alum sludge and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 383, 121138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121138

5. Title: Removal of 1,2-dichloroethane in groundwater using Fenton oxidation
   Jeong, W.G., Kim, J.G., & Baek, K. (2022). Removal of 1,2-dichloroethane in groundwater using Fenton oxidation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 428, 128253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128253

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Jong-Gook Kim stands out as an innovative, impactful, and globally aware environmental engineer. His work effectively combines cutting-edge research with practical applications to address pollution, climate change, and water scarcity—core concerns of modern environmental science.

Given his extensive contributions, global engagement, innovative mindset, and dedication to sustainability, Dr. Kim is highly suitable and deserving of the Best Researcher Award. 🏆