Sokhee P. Jung

Introduction 

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Seoul and earned both my Master’s and Ph.D. in the same field from The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. My undergraduate thesis focused on modeling air curtain systems for subway tunnels, with the results contributing to public policy in Seoul.

At Penn State—one of the world’s leading institutions for microbial electrochemical systems—I conducted research at the intersection of microbiology and electrochemistry. Upon completing my doctoral studies, I joined Samsung SDS as a senior consultant, where I specialized in environmental energy business development for the Samsung Group.

Following this, I pursued postdoctoral research on natural and constructed wetlands at the Ecological Engineering Laboratory of Yonsei University. In 2014, I was appointed as a tenure-track faculty member at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, where I founded the Environmental Fusion Energy Technology Lab (EFET). In 2024, I was promoted to full professor, and EFET evolved into the EFET Center—expanding its mission to advance research and innovation at the nexus of environment, energy, and technology.

Research Interests 

We develop innovative technologies at the water–energy nexus, grounded in rigorous scientific principles and engineered for real-world deployment. Our core research focuses on energy-producing wastewater treatment, microbial-electrochemical wetland remediation, and sustainable green hydrogen production. These objectives are advanced through the following research themes:

• Microbial Electrochemical Systems (MES) for Energy and Resource Recovery

• Applied Electrochemistry in Environmental and Energy Systems

• Microbiome Engineering and Systems Biology

• Nature-based Solutions for Environmental Remediation

• Circular Economy & Resource Recovery Systems

Education

2011  Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 

Dissertation: Microbial Community and Electrochemistry of Bioelectrochemical Systems

2007  M.S. in Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 

Thesis: Reproducibility of Microbial Fuel Cell Performance and Anode Bacterial Community 

• Passed the doctoral candidacy in 2006

• Fellowship from the Korean government (2004-05)

2004  B.Eng. in Environmental Engineering, The University of Seoul

Thesis: A study of air curtains to reduce suspended particle inflow from subway tunnels 

• Distinguished  Alumni Award in Graduation Ceremony

• The Highest Distinction in Early Decision (Top SAT score)

Experience

2025 - Present  Director, Gwangju Green Environment Center (GJGEC)

2024 - Present  Chair, M.E.S. Research Group, Korean Society of Water and Wastewater

2023 - Present  Head, Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju

2023 - Present  Director, EFET Center

2023 - Present  Professor, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 

2023 - 2025       Review Board, National Research Foundation

2023 - 2025   Trustee of the 42nd Faculty Meeting, Chonnam National University

2023 - 2025   Member of the 20th Faculty Council, Chonnam National University

2018 - 2023       Associate Professor, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 

2019 - 2022        Research Cooperation Chief, Gwangju Green Environment Center (GJGEC) 

2014 - 2018        Assistant Professor, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 

2012 - 2014        Researcher, Institute of Integrated Engineering Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul

2011 - 2012        Senior Consultant, Sustainability Consulting Group, Samsung SDS 

2005 - 2010        Research Assistant / Teaching Assistant, Penn State 

1999 - 2001        Staff Sergeant, Republic of Korea Air Force 

Honors & Awards

2024      Outstanding Faculty Award for Service and Contribution, Chonnam National University

2024      World's Top 2% Scientists in Environmental Science 

2024      Excellence in Service Award, Chonnam National University

2023      Best paper Presentation Award, Korea Society of Water & Wastewater

2023      The 33th Excellent Paper Award in Science and Technology, KOFST 

2023      World's Top 2% Scientists in Environmental Science 

2022      Excellent Paper Presentation Award, Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

2022      Citation Award, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2021      Best paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (2021-11) 

2021      Best paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (2021-3) 

2020      Paper Award, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2020      Best paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (2020-3)

2020      Best Paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association (2020-2)

2019      Award for Excellent Paper, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2019      Best Paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association

2018      Award for Excellent Paper in IEEC 2017, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2018      Best Paper Presentation Award, Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association

2016      Best Paper Award, Korean Society of Urban Environment

2016      Academic Award for Excellent Research, Korean Society of Urban Environment

2016      Best Poster Presentation Award, Asia Biohydrogen and Biogas Symposium 2016

2016      Best Presentation Award, AP-ISMET 2016

2016      Excellent Paper Award, Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

2015      Best Teaching Professor, Chonnam National University

2013      Excellent Paper Award, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers Conference

2012      Process Biochemistry Best Poster Award, International Biotechnology Symposium

2011      Scholarship from Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association

2010      Award for Most Cited Articles 2007 to 2010, Bioresource Technology, ELSEVIER

2005      Fellowship from National Research Foundation

2004      Fellowship from Korea Science and Engineering Foundation

2004     Distinguished  Alumni Award in Graduation Ceremony, University of Seoul

1997      The Highest Distinction in Early Decision, University of Seoul

Editorial Service

2024 - 2025     Chief Guest Editor, Chemical Engineering Journal

2024 - Present Editorial Board, Discover Applied Sciences

2024 - Present Editorial Board, Discover Environment

2023 - Present Editorial Board, Frontiers in Environmental Science

2022 - Present Associate Editor, Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry

2022 - Present Editorial Board, Frontiers in Energy Research

2020 - Present Topical Editor, Environmental Engineering Research

2020 - Present Editorial Board, Journal of Korean Society of Waste Management

2020 - 2022    Editorial Board, Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry

2019 - Present Reviewer Board / Topic Board, Applied Sciences

2018 - Present Editorial Board, Applied Biological Chemistry

2018 - Present Associate Editor, Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2019 - 2020    Guest Editor, Applied Sciences 1, Applied Sciences 2, Applied Sciences 3

2015 - 2017    Editorial Board, Journal of the Korean Society of Urban Environment

2014 - 2017    Editorial Board, Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers

2013 - 2015    Managing Editor, Journal of the Korean Society of Urban Environment 

Review Awards 

2021       Academy Mentor, Publons Academy Practical Review Training Course

2019       Excellent Reviewer, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering

2018       Outstanding reviewer, Bioresource Technology

2018       Outstanding reviewer, Journal of Environmental Management

2017       Outstanding reviewer, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy