Association of Korean Physicists in America

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to report to you that multiple physics sessions were successfully held during the “US-Korea Conference (UKC) on Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship” in Los Angeles, August 8 – 12, 2012. We had six physics sessions (each with 6-7 speakers) as part of the Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Math, Stat and other Basic Sciences [BAS] Track, which I chaired. A broad range of topics were covered. I am proud of many young physicists who made quite impressive presentations and who played leading roles in organizing sessions. I would like to thank all the presenters for making the conference so exciting and informative by presenting excellent talks and posters. Special thanks go to the session chairs: Dr. Kyuwan Lee, University of California, Berkeley, for the Plasmonics and Biomolecule Imaging Session; Prof. Kiyong Kim, University of Maryland, for the Plasma: from Lab to Space Session; Prof. Seunghun Lee, University of Virginia, for the Exotic States in Physics Session; Dr. Hyesook Lee, NASA GSFC, for the Physics in Extreme Conditions session; Dr. Cheol-Hwan Park, Robert Bosch Research and Technology Center, for the Novel Physics of Graphene and Related Nanostructures session, and Prof. Chueng-Ryong Ji for the Rare Isotopes and Accelerators session.

We also had a Physics Forum (2012 재미과협 석학 초청 물리분야 세미나) sponsored by Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST). I would like to thank Profs. Hojung Paik and Kiyong Kim for presenting Gravitation and Astrophysics, and Terahertz Laser physics, respectively. I would also like to thank panelists, Profs. Chueng-Ryong Ji, Seunghun Lee and Harold Kim, for stimulating discussions on emerging new frontiers in physics with relevant cutting-edge applications, and Dr. Kyuwan Lee, who served as the Secretary to record the discussions. The scientific opportunities for precision experiments with high discovery potential cut across various disciplines of physics. Cooperation and collaborations across traditional boundaries of research areas will play a significant role in basic and applied physics research over the next decade.

Some AKPA members were also invited to the ULTRA (Universal Linkage for Top Research Advisor) Program Round Table discussion, organized by KOFST. Prof. Jungsang Kim, Duke University, presented “Technologies for Engineering Quantum Information Processing Systems: Global Trends and Opportunities.” The introduction remark was made by Dr. Sang-Dae Park, President, KOFST, and the discussion was chaired by Ki-Jun Lee, Honorary President, National Academy of Engineering in Korea. The panel included Dr. Na Young Kim, Stanford University; Prof. Ho Jung Paik, University of Maryland; Prof. Eun-Suk Seo, University of Maryland; Prof. Seunghun Lee, University of Virginia; Dr. Kyung-Han Hong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Prof. Hanseok Ko, Korea University; Prof. Yoon-Ho Kim, POSTECH; Hak-Min Kim, Director of the Center for Advanced Materials Processing, Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS); Ho-Yong Kim, President, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI); and Se-Jung Oh, President, Institute of Basic Science (IBS). Dr. Chul-Hwan Park served as the Secretary to record the discussions.

I am proud of the fact that 30% of the invited speakers for the BAS physics sessions were women. As part of the “Korean Women in Physics” initiative after the 6^th annual East Coast Conference of Korean-American Women in Science and Engineering (KWiSE), which was held in Vienna, VA, May 14, 2011, our cooperation with KWiSE continues to grow. I presented “Cosmic Journey” at the 7^th KWiSE Annual Meeting, which was held in Santa Monica, CA, October 15, 2011. Prof. Youngkee Kim presented “Experimental Particle Physics,” at the 2012 Annual Meeting, Vienna, VA, June 16, 2012. At the UKC 2012, I served as a panelist for a KWiSE forum on Global Energy Environment and Nuclear Energy. This forum was chaired by the Honorable Myung-Ja Kim, former Minister of Health & Welfare of Korea, and President, Korea Federation of Women’s Science and Technology Associations (KOFWST). Among others, the Honorable In-Sook Park, Member of the National Assembly; the Honorable Hee-Young Paik, former Minister of Gender Equality and Family of Korea; Prof. Do-Sun Na, Vice President, KOFST & President, Korean Biochemical Society; and Prof. Heisook Lee, Director, Korea Advanced Institute of Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (KAI-WIEST) attended this forum.

I heard a lot about how our research and career would benefit from the UKC which provides unique opportunities for information and networking with a rich, diverse mix of sessions, and speakers. Participants commented that they were re-energized and refocused after attending the conference. I would like to invite you all to the next UKC, which will be held in Sheraton Meadowland, NJ, right across the Hudson River from Manhattan in New York City, August 8-10, 2013. The theme of the conference is "Toward Harmonious World with Science and Technology.

Promoting excellence in research is a key goal of Association of Korean Physicists in America (AKPA). Let me remind you that nominations for the 2013 Outstanding Young Researcher Award (OYRA) are being solicited. AKPA has awarded OYRA annually since 1994 to recognize excellence in research by outstanding young ethnic Korean physicists in North America. Please send your nomination to Prof. Kyungseon Joo, the Award Committee Chair by November 15, 2012.

Another important matter that needs your attention is the upcoming election for the 31^st president of AKPA. Join us in our search for pertinent candidates for another order of magnitude growth in our strength. Please send your nomination to Profs. Ki-Hyon Kim and Chueng-Ryong Ji, the Nomination Committee. Please contact Prof. Jaehoon Yu, the Election Committee Chair for more details.

Best Regards,

Eun-Suk Seo

President of AKPA

A photo from the 2012 KWiSE Annual Meeting at the KSEA/KUSCO building, Vienna, VA, June 16, 2012: from the left, Prof. Jeahoon Yu, AKPA President Elect; Prof. Eun-Suk Seo, AKPA President; Prof. Youngkee Kim, Deputy Director, Fermilab; Dr. Seongeun Julia Cho, President, KWiSE East Coast Chapter; and Dr. Sanghee Yoo, President, KWiSE.

A photo taken at the UKC 2012, Garden Grove, CA. Note five key delegates from Korea are among the standing: second from left to right, Prof. Hee-Young Paik; third, Prof. Heisook Lee; fourth, Prof. Do-Sun Na; fifth, Prof. Myung-Ja Kim; and sixth, Prof. In-Sook Park.