KIMS researcher Yoon Hee-sook elected fellow of World Academy of Ceramics

Yoon Hee-sook, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) Biomedical and Health Materials Research Division, has been elected a fellow of the World Academy of Ceramics (WAC).

WAC fellowship is an honorary distinction awarded to experts recognized for outstanding research achievements and significant industrial and international contributions to the global ceramics field. The election formally acknowledges both the excellence of the ceramic additive manufacturing technology Yoon has led and KIMS's global research competitiveness, as recognized by the international ceramics community.

Founded in 1987, the WAC is a globally authoritative international academy in the ceramics field, operating as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ceramics science, technology, industry, history and art, and to promoting international cooperation.

WAC fellows are not selected through individual applications but through nominations by at least three existing fellows, followed by a rigorous review process lasting roughly a year. The selection differs from ordinary academic membership in that it comprehensively evaluates a researcher's scholarly originality, technological and industrial impact, and international cooperation and global leadership. Yoon was added to the list of new fellows through the 21st election cycle.

Since joining KIMS in 2006, Yoon has conducted research in ceramic additive manufacturing, tissue engineering, biomaterials and porous materials. She has received numerous accolades, including the Li Xun Award in 2025, the Ministry of Science and ICT's Women Scientist and Engineer of the Year award in 2024, a ministerial commendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2024, and recognition among the top 100 national research and development achievements in 2019.

She was particularly recognized for developing, using domestically original technology, the world's first photopolymerization-based multi-ceramic 3D printing material, component and equipment technology, as well as sintering-free ceramic 3D printing technology — work that has generated numerous patents and technology transfers.

"This WAC fellowship is deeply meaningful not just as a personal honor, but because it represents the international ceramics community's recognition of KIMS's ceramic additive manufacturing technology," Yoon said. "I will continue to build on our strong technological capabilities to strengthen global leadership in advanced ceramic materials and processes, and to contribute to the development of future industries such as biotech and health, and to improving the quality of human life."