POSTECH Mathematics Ph.D. Student Jinyoung Kim Receives Outstanding Poster Award at KSMCB 2025

 Jinyoung Kim, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mathematics at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) under the supervision of Professor Jinsu Kim, has received the Outstanding Poster Award at the 2025 International Conference of the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB 2025).

 The KSMCB conference, held from September 29 to October 2, 2025, at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC Jeju), is the largest life sciences conference in Korea. This year’s event attracted over 3,000 researchers from Korea and abroad, with more than 1,000 posters presented across fields such as molecular biology, cell biology, and biophysics.

 At the conference, Kim presented a mathematical analysis of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) phenomena within cells. His research combined the Mean First Passage Time (MFPT) theory, incorporating spatial dimensions, with stochastic chemical reaction networks (CRNs) to quantitatively explain the stability and nucleation mechanisms of phase separation. In particular, the study mathematically demonstrated that the dimensionality of the compartment—2D membranes versus 3D cytoplasm—fundamentally alters the behavior of LLPS.

 This interdisciplinary approach, which applies probabilistic theory and reaction network modeling to explain complex biological phenomena, was highly praised by the judging panel. The research was also selected for the Emerging Investigators Special Collection of the Journal of Chemical Physics in 2024, a prestigious feature that highlights outstanding work by early-career researchers.

 Reflecting on the award, Kim stated, “This award reaffirmed that mathematical approaches can meaningfully contribute to understanding biological processes and offer practical insights for life scientists. It was a valuable experience to discuss new research directions with researchers from diverse backgrounds.” He added, “I hope to continue exploring biological phenomena through mathematical modeling in close collaboration with life scientists.”

 Professor Jinsu Kim commented, “Jinyoung Kim’s research exemplifies the power of mathematical modeling in explaining LLPS phenomena in cellular environments with different spatial dimensions. He made significant efforts to visually present complex content in an accessible way, and beyond presenting theoretical results, he proposed future research directions and thought-provoking questions that engaged biologists." As part of the award, Kim received a certificate and a cash prize.

 POSTECH’s Department of Mathematics plans to continue fostering creative and interdisciplinary research by supporting the development of researchers capable of tackling complex scientific challenges.