Prof. Heung-Shik Lee | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Strengths for the Award:

1. Innovative Research Focus: Prof. Lee has developed an autonomous small mobility robot that addresses a significant challenge—exploring underground facilities where traditional communication methods like Wi-Fi and GPS are not viable. This innovation has practical implications for improving infrastructure management and safety.
2. Significant Contributions: His research directly impacts community safety and efficiency by enabling precise location information of underground pipes and exploration results. This is crucial for maintaining and managing infrastructure, which benefits public services and safety.
3. Professional Expertise: Prof. Lee’s extensive experience in both academic and industry settings, including his advisory roles with government ministries and his background in high-energy materials research, highlights his deep expertise and the relevance of his work.
4. Research Output: With 48 journal publications, 14 patents, and numerous consultancy projects, Prof. Lee demonstrates a high level of productivity and impact in his field. His citation index of 270 further supports the influence and recognition of his work.
5. Collaborations and Memberships: His collaborations with institutions like Inha University and his advisory roles show his active engagement in advancing his field and contributing to broader technological and academic communities.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Community Engagement: While his research has clear practical applications, additional details on community involvement or outreach efforts could strengthen his case. Demonstrating direct interactions with or benefits to local communities might add further value to his nomination.
2. Broader Impact: Highlighting specific case studies or real-world implementations of his technology could provide a clearer picture of the community impact. Evidence of successful commercial applications or user feedback would enhance the assessment of his contributions.
3. Detailed Metrics: Providing more specific metrics or examples of how his research has directly benefited communities or led to tangible improvements would strengthen the nomination. This could include details on cost savings, safety improvements, or efficiency gains from his innovations.