About Hyunwoo (CV, Google Scholar)

I am scientist, engineer, and inventor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I currently work at the department of mechanical engineering. My research focuses on next-generation solutions for better human-machine interfacing enabled by advanced soft materials technologies.

Degree &
​Education
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering                                                                                                                                                                     Jun 2016 - Dec 2020
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
(Thesis title: Wet Adhesion and Bioadhesive Technology (defense slide & recording))

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering​                                                                                                                                                                        Sep 2014 - Jun 2016
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
(Thesis title: Tough Wet Adhesion of Hydrogel on Various Materials - Mechanism and Application)

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering​                                                                                                                                                                        Feb 2007 - Feb 2014
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
Graduation with Summa Cum Laude
(Note: military service during June 2011 to June 2013)

Awards &
Honors
  • Collegiate Inventors Competition Graduate Winner, National Inventors Hall of Fame, 2020
  • BMES Student Design and Research Award, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2019
  • ​de Florez Graduate Design Award - 1st Place, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, 2019
  • Wunsch - Outstanding Graduate Research Award, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, 2019
  • MRS Graduate Student Award - Gold, Materials Research Society, 2019
  • Peebles Award, The Adhesion Society, 2019​
  • Forbes 30 Under 30 2019: Science, Forbes, 2018
  • Face of the Year, Samsung Scholarship, 2018
  • MRS Graduate Student Award - Silver, Materials Research Society, 2018
  • Samsung Scholarship, Samsung Foundation of Culture, 2015
  • Summa Cum Laude, KAIST, 2014
  • Samsung Scholarship, Samsung Foundation of Culture, 2013
  • Outstanding Achievement Cum Laude Award,  Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, 2010
  • Outstanding Achievement Cum Laude Award,  Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, 2009
  • Korean Govermental Scholarship, 2007 - 2010

Professional Experience
Research Scientist                                                                                                                                                                                                      Jan 2021 - Present
Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                                                                                                             Sep 2014 - Dec 2020
Zhao Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, USA (PI: Prof. Xuanhe Zhao)
  • Hydrogel technologies for human-machine interfacing
  • Wet adhesion and bioadhesive technologies
  • Hydrogel bioelectronics
  • 3D printing of functional soft materials
  • Soft active materials and robots

Undergraduate Researcher                                                                                                                                                                                  Jun 2009 - Apr 2011
Neuro-Machine Augmented Intelligence Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea (PI: Prof. Sungho Jo)
Soft Biomechanics & Biomaterials Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea (PI: Prof. Jennifer H. Shin)
  • Development of C.elegans inspired small crawling robots

Undergraduate Research Program (URP)                                                                                                                                                  Dec 2009 - May 2010
Mechatronics, Systems and Control Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea (PI: Prof. Kyungsoo Kim)
  • Dynamic analysis and computational simulation on rotating mass control (RMC) for floating body stabilization amid at mobile harbor applications

Selected Media Coverage