▲ (From left) Professor Lee Byeong-gyu of Ulsan University, President Jangam of the Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, Professor Chu Gwang-ho of Kyungpook National University, and Professor Cho Kyung-hwa of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

On the 9th, Doosan Yonkang Foundation (Chairman Park Yong-hyun) held the '2022 Doosan Yonkang Environmental Academic Award' ceremony at Jeju Shinhwa World, and awarded 20 million won in prize money and plaques to Professor Chu Kwang-ho of Kyungpook National University, and 10 million won each to Professor Lee Byeong-gyu of Ulsan University and Professor Cho Kyung-hwa of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.

Professor Choo Kwang-ho was selected as the winner for suggesting a method to significantly reduce biocontamination by disrupting the signal transmission system between microorganisms using ultraviolet light. Professor Lee Byeong-gyu revealed that organic photocatalysts* can be used to remove antibiotics, which are harmful pollutants in water, and produce hydrogen peroxide under atmospheric conditions. Professor Cho Kyung-hwa predicted harmful green algae in the Nakdong River using deep learning techniques and found a way to supply safe drinking water.
* Organic photocatalyst: A substance that accepts light through organic matter and promotes chemical reactions.

The Doosan Yonkang Environmental Academic Award was established in 2019 as an extension of the environmental safety research support project that the Doosan Yonkang Foundation had implemented from 1993 to 2017, and has been continuously implemented to help the development of Korean environmental studies and encourage research motivation among those working in the environmental field.