Dr Byoungkwan Kim obtained his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology in August 2024. During his doctoral studies, he developed alkali-activated geopolymers and phosphate-based geopolymers for the effective disposal of radioactive borate waste, one of the representative low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes in South Korea. His research also encompassed the immobilisation of acidic liquid waste, organic spent ion-exchange resins, and various radioactive sludges using geopolymer and cement-based materials.

Currently, his research focuses on developing geopolymer wasteforms capable of effectively immobilising radioactive anions such as I, Se, and Tc. He employs advanced solid-state MAS NMR techniques to investigate the immobilisation mechanisms and interactions between radionuclides and wasteforms. Additionally, he is working on the development of porous inorganic geopolymer-based adsorbents for the removal of radionuclides from liquid waste, as well as advanced backfill materials for high-level radioactive waste disposal.