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WOS SciVal SCOPUS LOOP DBPIA PhD.Kim
NRI 11431200 ISNI 0000-0004-6437-0780
T +82-62-530-1857 F +82-62-530-1859
Introduction
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.
To translate research into real-world impact, I founded EFET Solutions, a university spin-off dedicated to advancing microbial electrochemical technologies for practical deployment in wastewater and energy applications. My work has been recognized internationally, including being listed in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists for three consecutive years.
Research Interests
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
- Microbial fuel cell (MFC), microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), etc.
Applied Electrochemistry in Environmental and Energy Systems
Microbiome Engineering and Systems Biology
Nature-based Solutions for Environmental Remediation
Circular Economy & Resource Recovery Systems
Education
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
2004 B.Eng. in Environmental Engineering, The University of Seoul
Thesis: A study of air curtains to reduce suspended particle inflow from subway tunnels
The Highest Distinction in Early Decision (Top SAT score)
Experience
Experience
2025 - Present CEO of EFET Solutions
2025 - Present Director, Gwangju Green Environment Center (GJGEC)
2024 - Present Chair, M.E.S. Research Group, Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
2023 - Present Director, EFET Center
2023 - Present Professor, Chonnam National University, Gwangju
2023 - 2025 Head, Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, 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
Honors & Awards
2026 Ministerial Commendation for Contributions to Environmental Conservation, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, Republic of Korea
2025 Engineering Award (Academic), Chonnam National University College of Engineering
2025 Award for Meritorious Contribution to Carbon Neutrality, Gwangju Metropolitan City
2025 World’s Top 2% Scientists in Environmental Science
2025 Korea Environmental Award (Environmental Education Division), Korea Environmental Awards Committee
2025 Paper Award, Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
2024 Outstanding Faculty Award for Service and Contribution, Chonnam National University
2024 Outstanding Paper Presentation Award, Korea Society of Waste Management
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
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
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
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