The Opening Ceremony of Sogang Biocore Facility for Biological Interfaces

- The birth of an Integration Center with 33 state-of-the-art pieces of equipment related to Chemistry and Life Science,

 ‘Chung-Lee Lounge’ also opens for graduate students with funds raised by the Alumni Association of the Department of Chemistry -

 ▲(From left) Chairman Im Sung-il of Department of Chemistry Alumni Association, Head Lee Hyun-soo of the Department of Chemistry, Director Shin Kwan-woo of the Sogang Biocore Facility, Emeritus Professor Lee Hoo-sung, President Sim Jong-hyeok, and Dean Lee Jeong-kug of the School of Natural Sciences

The opening ceremony of the Sogang Biocore Facility for Biological Interfaces (Sogang Biocore Facility) was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 11 at Ricci Hall Annex. The event was attended by President Sim Jong-hyeok, Director Shin Kwan-woo of Sogang Biocore Facility, Emeritus Professor Lee Hoo-sung, Dean Lee Jeong-kug of the School of Natural Sciences and Chairman Im Sung-il of the Department of Chemistry Alumni Association, as well as researchers and research professors belonging to the facility and graduate students who will be the main users of the Facility. The following sequence of events was the order in which the ceremony was conducted: opening ceremony and introduction of guests, a progress report and video viewing of the Facility, commemorative speeches and congratulatory speeches, a tape cutting ceremony, and a naming ceremony for the ‘Chung-Lee lounge.’

The recently founded Sogang Biocore Facility was established with the support fund of approximately KRW 4 billion from the Ministry of Education as the Sogang School of Natural Sciences was designated as a Core-Facility Support Project in 2020. The facility is situated on the 2nd floor of Ricci Hall Annex which has the easiest accessibility on the campus. It comprises of a total of five specialized laboratories, one operation room that manages equipment and the Bioimaging Center at Room 209 of Kim Daegon Hall. A total number of 33 pieces of apparatus, including a 30-nanometer-scale optical microscope with the world's highest resolution has integrated the highest possible standard. Every piece of equipment is available to all students attending Sogang and is not only limited to the Department of Natural Sciences. 

The facility also houses the 'Chung-Lee Lounge' which was prepared with fundraising from the Department of Chemistry Alumni Association, it is a space to commemorate the achievements of Emeritus Professors Chung Koo-soon and Lee Hoo-sung. These professors have not only been recognized as important scholars in Analytical Chemistry but also have worked hard to nurture graduate students and scholars in the field of Analytical Chemistry. This space will be used as a lounge for students to relax while listening to music.

▲(Above) Entrance to the Analysis Center and M Hall of the Comprehensive Analysis Room

(Bottom) Bioimaging Center and Chung-Lee Lounge

Director Shin Kwan-woo said, “I have always wanted to create a bright and clean environment where graduate students can study at ease. I am pleased to announce this opportunity with an active involvement of the Institute of Biological Interface to complete a facility where the students can utilize integrated equipment related to Chemistry and Life Sciences all in one place.” The director continued by saying, “I hope students will now use one of the top research facilities in Korea to realize their dreams and that it will produce many scientists who go on to make Sogang proud.” 

President Sim Jong-hyeok gave his best wishes and expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the establishment of the Sogang Biocore Facility, including Director Shin Kwan-woo and Dean Lee Jeong-kug of the School of Natural Sciences. He said, “At the time of taking office as president this year, I asked that the headquarters and departmental the research institutes collaborate in order to ‘strengthen research capabilities,’ which is paramount for Sogang in taking a renewed strides forward. The best example is the Sogang Biocore Facility.” And he promised, “No effort shall be spared to provide our best support for the Facility as a representative institution of Sogang University to become an infrastructure that can dramatically increase Sogang’s research capabilities.” 

* Users on and off campus can check the information on the use and utilization of equipment through the website below.

- Further information on facility use: www.biocore.re.kr

- Facility User Support Office: RA Hall 201-E (02-3274-4830)