Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has established a new system to appoint full-time faculty members with outstanding academic achievements and exemplary conduct as Distinguished Professors. Professor Do Young Rag, specialising in Nano&Materials Major (Department of Chemistry), has been selected as the inaugural Distinguished Professor.

The Distinguished Professor system was established to actively encourage the research achievements of outstanding faculty members and to secure the university's long-term research competitiveness at a world-class level. Candidates are full-time faculty members who possess outstanding achievements in key areas such as research, education, and industry-academia collaboration. Final selection is made through a comprehensive review combining quantitative evaluation (paper output, industry-academia achievements, etc.) and qualitative evaluation (academic influence, social contribution, etc.).

Professor Do Young Rag, specialising in Nano&Materials Major (Department of Chemistry), has achieved internationally recognised results over his approximately 22-year tenure, conducting research spanning nanochemistry, nanomaterials, nanodisplays, and bio-material convergence. Notably, he developed the core technology for nanorod-LED displays, successfully facilitating a large-scale technology transfer in 2018. Building on this, he contributed to the world's first realisation of a 65-inch 8K nanorod-LED TV prototype. This achievement is regarded as a prime example that propelled Kookmin University's industry-academia collaboration capabilities to a new level, setting a new benchmark for such collaborative models.

Moreover, Professor Do Young Rag has been conducting diverse convergence-based fundamental research, encompassing not only next-generation nano-LED display development but also quantum dot synthesis and luminescent materials, circadian rhythm-regulating light sources and sensors, photovoltaic materials, high-purity exosome purification based on semiconductor processes, and quantum light source materials and devices. As a result, he has achieved outstanding research outcomes, including publishing over 200 SCI papers, registering more than 200 domestic and international patents, and facilitating 12 technology transfers. For these contributions, he received commendations from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and the Order of Civil Merit (Green Ribbon) on Invention Day. Since 2020, he has been selected for six consecutive years as a scientist ranked in the top 2% globally based on lifetime achievements, recognising his contributions to national science and technology development.

Professor Do Young Rag stated his aspirations: ‘As a distinguished professor, I shall contribute to Kookmin University's advancement as a world-class research hub and link academic achievements with industry and the local community to enhance national competitiveness. To this end, I will spearhead the development of next-generation core technologies through multidisciplinary research and create internationally influential research outcomes with industry partners, leading Kookmin University's leap forward as a world-class research institution.’