Professor Kim Jae Bum has revealed that 'subcutaneous adipose tissue' and 'visceral adipose tissue,' which have been considered similar in appearance and function, have differences despite their morphological similarities.
In particular, he was the first to identify that specific stem cells in both white adipose tissues mediate different functions in people with obesity.
Specific stem cells in visceral adipose tissue induce an increase in adipose tissue and promote an 'inflammatory' response in obese individuals, revealing the process by which visceral adipose tissue becomes so-called 'bad adipose tissue.' Characterizing these stem cells lays an essential foundation for developing therapies to overcome metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance and diabetes.
Professor Shin Syng-hwan
The Catholic University of Korea Department of Philosophy
Achievement Award for Humanities and Social Sciences
Achievement
With a vocation to lay a philosophical foundation for the defense of life, Professor Shin is developing a philosophy of life, a philosophical effort that seeks to interpret and understand life and culture uprightly.
Philosophy of life is a philosophical endeavor that seeks to structure concepts such as life's ontological meaning and transcendent nature. Professor Shin points out the problems of modern society, which instrumentalizes and objectifies human life by immersing itself in biological and natural scientific perspectives, on the one hand, and makes efforts to theorize the most important spiritual qualities of life in the framework of philosophy of life, on the other hand.
Joy Village (Joyplace Family Community for People with Developmental Disabilities and Autism)
Joy Village (Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu Social Welfare Corporation Caritas Daegun, Director: Mikyong Kim Lucia) is a residential community for adults with developmental disabilities and autism. It was founded in 1998 as a prayer group of Catholic parents of people with developmental disabilities. The community combines residential services, care, continuing education, and vocational training to allow people with severe developmental disabilities to live independently and with individualized support away from their parents.
For people with developmental disabilities, especially those with autism, it's important to have a personalized daily routine. Joy Village offers group day programs and individual activity support, as well as rehabilitation programs tailored to the characteristics and abilities of people with developmental disabilities in stages, and a Kiwoom & Joy School, which aims to help them live as members of the community. It also provides training for baristas, bakers, etc. that is suited to their individual levels and inclinations.
Catholic Diocese of Jeju Migrant Pastoral (Naomi) Center
Catholic Diocese of Jeju Migrant Pastoral (Naomi) Center began as the Migrant Pastoral Foundation in 2004 and changed to its current name in 2015. It is an organization that provides practical support and assistance to migrants, refugees, and undocumented foreigners living on Jeju Island.
In 2018, the center played a significant role in changing society's attitude toward refugees by welcoming stranded Yemeni refugees in Jeju and providing humanitarian assistance amidst negative public opinion on refugee acceptance due to the arrival of Yemeni refugees. In 2021, the organization supported COVID-19 vaccinations for undocumented foreigners. In August of the same year, it discovered the confiscation of passports of foreign fishing crews. It requested the Korean National Human Rights Commission to resolve the issue, which was resolved in 2022. In addition, the organization focuses on housing, legal, and support activities to help refugees stably settle in Korea.
