Two UNIST faculty members have been selected for the 2026 Hanwoomul-Phagi Basic Research program, a nationally competitive initiative designed to support long-term, investigator-driven research. 

Professor Junghoon Kim in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Professor Hyeon Jeong Lee in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, were among approximately 30 researchers selected nationwide. Each will receive up to KRW 2 billion in funding over a 10-year period to pursue sustained research on fundamental scientific questions. 

Administered by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the program supports early-career researchers within 15 years of earning their doctoral degree. It is designed to enable long-term exploration of challenging problems without the constraints of short-term performance metrics, with the aim of advancing foundational knowledge and fostering innovation. 

Professor Kim’s research focuses on developing a quantum-compatible framework for structuring and analyzing graph data. The project aims to bridge graft mining and quantum computing by reconfiguring complex graph structures into forms suited for hybrid quantum-classical analysis. Central to this work is a shift away from approaches that simplify or partition graph structures. Instead, the research treats graph topology itself as a computational resource, establishing a new paradigm for structure-based analysis. The project is expected to expand the scope of graph analytics and contribute to next-generation data processing techniques. 

Professor Kim received his Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and joined UNIST in 2022. His research focuses on large-scale graph analysis and structure-based network mining, with an emphasis on developing efficient algorithms for complex data environments. 

“This research aims to move beyond existing data mining methodologies by redefining graph structures and integrating them with quantum computing,” Professor Kim said. “Over the long term, we seek to extend the boundaries of graph analysis and establish a foundation for future analytical technologies.” 

Professor Lee’s research focuses on developing next-generation solid electrolytes by introducing a dynamics-based mechanism for lithium-ion transport. Conventional approaches have emphasized crystal structure design, defect control, and compositional tuning to improve ionic conductivity, but these methods face limitations in fundamentally altering ion transport behavior. 

Her work examines dynamic processes—such as the rotational motion of cluster anions—that may reduce energy barriers for lithium-ion movement. By clarifying these mechanisms, her research aims to establish new design principles for solid electrolytes and advance the development of superionic conductors. 

Professor Lee conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford before joining UNIST in 2023. Since 2024, she has led a national early-career research project in advanced battery materials and characterization. Her selection for the program reflects both her prior research achievements and her potential for long-term scientific contribution. 

“Through this work, we aim to develop superionic conductors based on new ion transport mechanisms and to propose new directions for solid electrolyte design,” Lee said. “With sustained support, we hope to advance fundamental understanding and contribute meaningful scientific progress.”