Dr. Park Su-jin (Class of 2011, Construction Systems Engineering), an alumna of our university, has been selected for the “2026 Sejong Science Fellowship: Return and Recruitment Track,” supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
 
The Sejong Science Fellowship is a flagship national basic research program designed to support outstanding young researchers in their development into independent researchers. In particular, the Return and Recruitment Track is designed to support outstanding researchers who have developed their research capabilities overseas in settling in Korea and conducting research activities. Selected researchers receive annual research funding of approximately 130 million won for up to five years. Through this program, researchers can conduct original research in a stable environment and contribute to securing core future technologies.
 
Dr. Park Su-jin graduated from the Department of Construction Systems Engineering at Kookmin University in 2015 and earned her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. During her doctoral studies, she participated in a research project under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), conducting research on groundwater contamination remediation technologies, numerical modeling, and AI-based prediction technologies. Through various research achievements—including publications in international academic journals, presentations at international conferences, and U.S. patent applications—she is currently serving as a researcher at Seoul National University, where she is conducting research on eco-friendly methods for remediating soil contamination using groundwater.
 
The research project selected this time is titled “Control of Reactive Migration of CAC and AI Lifespan Assessment Based on Physical Information through the Elucidation of Ion-Sensitive Smart Dispersants and Locking Mechanisms.” It aims to develop next-generation environmental remediation technologies capable of predicting and controlling the migration of groundwater contaminants by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies.
  
In particular, by establishing new active remediation technologies and a long-term performance prediction platform to more effectively block the spread of contaminants within the ground, the project plans to overcome the limitations of existing remediation technologies and propose safer and more efficient groundwater management solutions.
 
Dr. Park Su-jin shared her thoughts, stating, “The engineering fundamentals and problem-solving skills I learned at Kookmin University served as a crucial foundation for my growth as a researcher,” adding, “The creative thinking and practical problem-solving skills that my professors emphasized during my undergraduate years were also of great help during my studies and research in the United States.”
 
She continued, “I consider my selection for the Sejong Science Fellowship Return Track a very meaningful opportunity to contribute the research experience I gained overseas back to the domestic research community and to grow as an independent researcher.” She added, “Through research that integrates geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and artificial intelligence, I hope to contribute to solving climate change and environmental pollution issues and to produce research outcomes that ensure public safety and a sustainable future.”