Professor Kim Wan-Uk has researched the causes of autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis for the past 20 years, publishing his findings in top immunology and medical science journals since 2012. In 2015, he was selected as the only clinician to head the National Research Foundation of Korea Creative Research Initiative Center.
Professor Kim Wan-Uk was the first in the world to discover the mechanism by which the placental growth factor causes rheumatoid arthritis. Placental growth factor is responsible for the formation of blood vessels in the placenta, tightening the trophoblast and promoting growth. This is a promising step toward developing placental growth factor-modulating therapies for intractable immune diseases, which may also lead to a key strategy for treating intractable immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Founded in 2005, Korea Hope Foundation started building houses for underprivileged people in India and Bangladesh in 2006. As of 2020, it conducts international cooperation projects with 24 local partner organizations in 14 countries. Instead of establishing overseas branches, the Korea Hope Foundation is characterized by working with local organizations that are familiar with local conditions to help local people build a foundation for self-reliance. Through support projects for local development such as drinking water and agriculture, educational support, and human rights advocacy, the foundation aims to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development for the underprivileged overseas.
Professor Kim Jin Woo's research extends the principles he discovered in retinal development to retinal regeneration, using 'homeodomain' transcription factors to regenerate the retina, and has garnered attention for his novel discovery that these transcription factors move freely from cell to cell. This overturns the conventional theory that transcription factor proteins only work within the cell in which they are made. Kim's discovery is considered a significant contribution to understanding the principles of visual development and retinal nerve regeneration in animals.
Dr.Choi Jin-Il
The Catholic University of Korea Graduate School for Life Ph.D
Encouragement Award for Humanities and Social Sciences
Achievement
Dr. Choi Jin-Il is a lay apostolate female bioethicist who provides in-depth analysis of various issues in the field of bioethics and clearly presents the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Dr. Choi has consistently analyzed ethical issues related to the beginning of life, such as the right to life of human embryos and fetuses, family, conjugal unity, and childbirth, as well as genetic diagnosis, genome editing, emergency contraception, women's dignity, and the meaning of family from an ontological personalism based on Catholic bioethics.
Myeongrangchon, which means “Village of People who Love Life,” was started in 2012 by residents who participated in the “Love of Life Project,” including suicide prevention education at Sungsan Community Welfare Center, in response to a series of suicides in the community. It started with six activists in 2012 and now has 20 members. It continues to carry out life-loving and suicide prevention activities in the local community and has made a positive impact.
Residents voluntarily create a culture of love and respect for life in the community to prevent suicide, and continue to conduct education and campaigns.
