IEEE EMBS University Lecture Series: Prof. Yongmin Kim, President of POSTECH University, Korea

Joys and Tribulations in Translational Research: How to Successfully Commercialize Research Results

Speaker: Prof. Yongmin Kim Date: Monday, September 29, 2014 Time: 19:00 Location: Auditorium C, Klinikum rechts der Isar

Bio

Dr. Yongmin Kim received his BS degree in electronics engineering from Seoul National University in 1975, and MS and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from University of Wisconsin in 1979 and 1982, respectively. From 1982 to 2011, he was Professor of Bioengineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering, and Adjunct Professor of Radiology and Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. From 1999 to 2007, he was Chair of Bioengineering. From 2004 to 2007, he was the Hunter and Dorothy Simpson Endowed Chair in Bioengineering. In 2011, he came back to Korea to become the President of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).

His research interests include imaging and computing, ultrasound systems, distributed diagnosis and home healthcare, and computer architecture. He has supervised many graduate students, leading to ~40 Ph.D. and ~100 Masters degrees. Dr. Kim and his research group have made 85 inventions that have led to ~75 patents, transferred the invented technologies to industry with 28 licenses, and helped commercialization of these technologies. He has more than 450 research publications. He received the 2003 Ho-Am Prize in Engineering and the Distinguished Achievement Award from University of Wisconsin in 2005. He received the Early Career Achievement Award, the Distinguished Service Award and the William J. Morlock Award from IEEE/EMBS in 1988, 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2012, he received the Inventor of the Year Award from the University of Washington. He was President of IEEE/EMBS in 2005 and 2006. Dr. Kim is a Fellow of IEEE, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and International Academy for Medical and Biological Engineering.

Abstract

Research-oriented universities play a key role in vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems. In addition to producing future global leaders in our students, universities develop novel innovations, remarkable discoveries and breakthrough technologies by working on high-risk research and making what people believe impossible possible. Although many pioneering discoveries are being made and new exciting technologies are being developed in academia, even the most promising technologies face numerous obstacles in technology commercialization. They typically languish and die in the valley of death, frustrating the researchers and angel investors/venture capitalists alike.

Translational research from lab bench to the marketplace where products and services are provided and consumed is far more difficult and time-consuming than many people estimate or are willing to tolerate. In spite of these challenges, successfully commercializing our research results is the most rewarding experience as an engineer and researcher. In this presentation, he will share his experiences and opinions on the obstacles and formula of success (or failure) in academic research and technology commercialization.