Dr. Choul-Gyun Lee is a distinguished professor and leading authority in marine biotechnology whose pioneering work has significantly advanced sustainable energy solutions and environmental applications. He currently serves as Professor and Principal Investigator in the Department of Biological Engineering at Inha University in Incheon, South Korea, where he has established a world-class research program spanning over two and a half decades. After receiving his B.S. from Seoul National University in 1985, he built his academic foundation before joining Inha University, where he has held a professorship since 1994. His leadership extends beyond the laboratory, as evidenced by his appointment as President of a professional organization in 2021, reflecting his growing influence in the field of marine biotechnology and biological engineering.
Dr. Lee's groundbreaking research on marine microalgae has revolutionized approaches to renewable energy production and environmental remediation, with his work on metabolic reconstruction of microalgae providing fundamental insights into optimizing algal strains for biofuel applications. His laboratory's development of microalgae with enhanced phosphate uptake capabilities has delivered practical solutions for wastewater treatment and nutrient cycling, addressing critical environmental challenges through biotechnological innovation. The mass cultivation techniques pioneered by his team have significantly improved the scalability and economic viability of microalgal biofuel production systems, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial implementation. His research contributions have been documented in numerous peer-reviewed publications that collectively demonstrate how marine biotechnology can provide sustainable solutions for energy security and environmental protection.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Lee has been instrumental in training the next generation of scientists through his mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at Inha University, where his laboratory continues to attract talent from across the scientific community. As Principal Investigator of his research group, he leads interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate biological engineering with environmental science to address pressing global challenges in sustainable energy and water resources. His leadership position since 2021 has enabled him to shape research priorities and foster international cooperation in marine biotechnology, extending his influence beyond the laboratory to policy and industry applications. Dr. Lee's current research focuses on advancing next-generation microalgal systems that promise to deliver more efficient biofuel production platforms while simultaneously addressing environmental pollution challenges through innovative biological solutions.
