Hyun-Jae Shin | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hyun-Jae Shin | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Chosun University | South Korea

Dr. Hyun-Jae Shin, an accomplished Associate Professor of Biochemical Engineering at Chosun University, stands as a leading figure in the field of biotechnology, biochemical engineering, and sustainable biomaterials research. As the President of the Korean Society of Mushroom Science, Dr. Shin has established himself as a pioneer in integrating fungal biotechnology, enzyme engineering, and natural product chemistry to create innovative and eco-friendly solutions for global sustainability challenges. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from KAIST, South Korea, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Westminster, UK. Over his distinguished academic and research career, Dr. Shin has successfully completed 50 major research projects and continues to lead three ongoing initiatives focusing on bio-based materials and enzymatic biotransformation. With an impressive record of over 96 publications in high-impact SCI and SCIE journals, 13 published books, and 31 registered patents, his work has attracted more than 5,000 citations, reflecting its global influence. Dr. Shin’s research primarily revolves around the eco-friendly bioconversion of biomass, such as mushroom mycelium, plant polyphenols, and microbial enzymes, for the creation of sustainable materials like biodegradable fibers, bio-composites, and eco-leather. His groundbreaking innovations have redefined the role of green chemistry and fungal biotechnology in advancing the circular bioeconomy and reducing industrial carbon footprints. Through molecular breeding, enzymatic transformation, and process engineering, he has developed scalable methods that transform agricultural by-products into high-value materials, promoting waste minimization and renewable resource utilization. As Editor-in-Chief of the KSBB Journal and former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Mushroom, Dr. Shin continues to shape academic discourse in biochemical engineering. His collaborations with institutions such as Kyoto University (Japan) and the Shandong Academy of Sciences (China) further strengthen his global research network. Dr. Shin’s interdisciplinary expertise and leadership have made a lasting impact on sustainable biotechnology, positioning him as a visionary in the pursuit of green innovation and circular manufacturing for a sustainable future.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Im, H.-S., Ryu, M.-S., Kim, B.-J., Eo, J.-K., Park, E., Tagawa, S., & Shin, H.-J. (2025). Eco-friendly masks with a blend of mushroom fiber and cotton. Biotechnology Design. bio-composites

Jeong, Y.-H., Im, H.-S., Park, C., Seo, J., Joo, Y., & Shin, H.-J. (2025, October). Large-scale batch (1 m²) production and mechanical assessment of mushroom mycelium mats. Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering.

Im, H.-S., Tagawa, S., Jeong, J.-S., & Shin, H.-J. (2025, March 5). Production of decolorized mushroom pulp for nonwoven cotton composite fibers. Fibers, 13(3), 30.

Shin, H.-J., Ro, H.-S., Kawauchi, M., & Honda, Y. (2025, January 10). Review on mushroom mycelium-based products and their production process: From upstream to downstream. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 12(1), 8367.

Choi, M.-H., Yang, S.-H., Lee, Y.-J., Sohn, J.-H., Lee, K.-S., & Shin, H.-J. (2023). Anti-obesity effect of daidzein derived from Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb. extract via PPAR pathway in MDI-induced 3T3-L1 cell line. Cosmetics, 10(6), 164.

Bao-Dong Cui | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Bao-Dong Cui | Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Zunyi Medical College, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Dr. Bao-Dong Cui embarked on his academic journey in the field of chemistry by completing his undergraduate studies at the Department of Chemistry, Taishan University. With a strong inclination towards chemical sciences and a keen interest in organic synthesis, he furthered his education at the Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Here, he pursued rigorous postgraduate research and successfully earned a doctoral degree, laying a solid foundation for his future contributions to green chemistry and pharmaceutical synthesis.

Professional Endeavors

Upon completing his doctoral studies, Prof. Cui commenced his academic career at the School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University. He initially served as a lecturer, steadily advancing through the academic ranks due to his dedication to teaching and research. His professional journey within the university culminated in his appointment as a full professor, reflecting his commitment to excellence and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Cui’s research interests lie at the intersection of synthetic organic chemistry and sustainable pharmaceutical development. His work primarily focuses on green synthesis methods for chiral drug active molecules, employing strategies such as photocatalysis, biocatalysis, and combinatorial catalysis. In addition to exploring synthetic methodologies, he also investigates the development and application of environmentally friendly preparation processes for drug intermediates. His research addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of green chemistry, contributing to the advancement of sustainable technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Impact and Influence

Through his innovative research, Prof. Cui has significantly influenced the field of green and combinatorial catalysis. His publications in leading SCI-indexed journals—including Organic Letters, Chemical Communications, Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, and The Journal of Organic Chemistry—demonstrate the high caliber and international recognition of his work. As either first or corresponding author, his scholarly output has made valuable contributions to the scientific community, especially in the areas of reaction design and mechanism elucidation.

Academic Citations and Intellectual Property

Prof. Cui has authored over 20 research articles in internationally respected journals, reflecting strong citation performance and scholarly impact. Furthermore, he holds five invention patents, underscoring the applied nature of his work and its relevance to industrial and pharmaceutical innovations. These patents not only demonstrate the novelty of his scientific contributions but also reinforce his role in bridging the gap between laboratory research and practical application.

Technical Skills and Scientific Expertise

Prof. Cui possesses advanced technical expertise in modern synthetic chemistry techniques, including photochemical and biocatalytic processes. His ability to design and execute multistep synthetic strategies, especially for chiral drug molecules, is a hallmark of his laboratory work. His skillset also encompasses mechanistic studies, spectral analysis, and process optimization—skills that are integral to developing efficient and scalable green chemistry solutions.

Teaching Experience and Mentorship

In his academic career, Prof. Cui has been actively involved in teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, guiding students through research projects that integrate theoretical knowledge with experimental application. His teaching style emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and a strong foundation in chemical principles.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Cui is recognized as a rising leader in the field of green pharmaceutical chemistry. His research legacy includes the advancement of environmentally conscious synthetic pathways and the development of practical technologies for drug synthesis. Looking forward, he is expected to continue his pioneering work in catalysis, while fostering collaborative research and contributing to global sustainability goals in medicinal chemistry. His future endeavors will likely focus on integrating interdisciplinary approaches to address emerging challenges in pharmaceutical science.

Notable Publications

Photomediated One-Pot Multicomponent Cascade Reaction for the Synthesis of N-Acyl/Sulfonyl-α-Phosphonated-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline via Twice Acyl/Sulfonyl Iminium Formation
Journal: Chemistry – An Asian Journal
Year: 2025

Photoinduced Tunable Fluoroalkylation or Sulfonylation/Cyclization of Methindolylstyrenes via Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes
Journal: Green Chemistry
Year: 2025

Electrochemical Oxidative Cascade Cyclization of Alkenyl Alcohols with External Nucleophiles to Access Amino- and Hydroxy-Functionalized O-Heterocycles
Journal: Journal of Organic Chemistry
Year: 2025

Efficient and Convenient Synthesis of Methyl (S)-5-Chloro-2-Hydroxy-1-Oxo-2,3-Dihydro-1H-Indene-2-Carboxylate: A Key Intermediate for (S)-Indoxacarb Using Aqueous TBHP as Oxidant
Journal: Reaction Chemistry and Engineering
Year: 2025

Photocatalytic Reductive Borylation, Phosphonation, Sulfurization, and Selenization of Aryl Iodides to Access Aryl Borates, Aryl Phosphates, Aryl Sulfides, and Aryl Selenides
Journal: Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry
Year: 2025