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Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through Cross-Disciplinary Research
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through Cross-Disciplinary Research
My research spans a broad range of domains beyond traditional electronic and computer systems, including fuel cells, lithium-ion battery systems, solar energy harvesting, thermoelectric generators, energy storage systems, electric vehicles, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), ocean-bottom seismometers, and rehabilitation technologies for individuals with disabilities.
These projects have required extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration, involving experts in electronics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical and automotive engineering, power and energy systems, chemical engineering, materials science, and geology. Many of these collaborations have extended nationally and internationally, bridging academia, industry, and government sectors.
Throughout this journey, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have remained foundational values. DEI has shaped the composition, direction, and execution of my collaborative teams and has directly influenced the way I design research programs, teaching practices, and student engagement strategies. Cross-disciplinary research thrives on diverse perspectives, and fostering equitable environments has been essential to enabling innovation, participation, and real-world impact.
My DEI efforts center around removing barriers, expanding access, and mentoring across cultures, disciplines, and gender identities—with a special emphasis on underrepresented and underserved communities in engineering.
The following examples illustrate past DEI-centered activities and reinforce my ongoing commitment to inclusive research, education, and leadership.
Inclusive Innovation and Mentorship: Empowering Students and Advancing Accessibility
Inclusive Innovation and Mentorship: Empowering Students and Advancing Accessibility
As part of my commitment to inclusive education and cross-disciplinary collaboration, I led a deeply impactful project that brought together engineering innovation and assistive technology design for individuals with severe physical disabilities.
Professor Lee, a geologist in the College of Natural Sciences at Seoul National University (SNU), sustained a severe spinal cord injury during a field expedition in the Mojave Desert, resulting in complete loss of mobility below the neck. In response, I initiated a capstone design project to develop a hands-free cellphone interface tailored specifically for individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries.
I invited two senior female students to participate in the project and facilitated close collaboration with Professor Lee, who played an essential role in guiding the user interface design. To ensure the success of the project and foster inclusive mentorship, I personally attended and supported weekly collaborative meetings between the students and Professor Lee throughout the development process.
The project culminated in a live demonstration at the 2011 IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education, gaining international visibility for its innovation and social impact.
The two students later joined my graduate research group and continued their collaboration with Professor Lee. Their thesis work led to the low-power design of an ocean-bottom seismometer, combining their technical expertise with Professor Lee’s domain knowledge in geoscience.
This collaboration also contributed to the launch of the QoLT (Quality of Life Technology) Research Center, funded by the Korean Government, with Professor Lee as its founding director. I was honored to serve as one of the most active contributors to the center, further advancing interdisciplinary research aimed at improving accessibility and quality of life through engineering solutions.
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering
A strong advocate for underrepresented minorities and women in engineering, I have actively led initiatives to foster inclusive environments and support professional development for women in STEM.
As Associate Dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU), I organized a Women-in-Engineering (WIE) event in Korea. The event brought together female engineering professionals to share their experiences and insights on career development in industry, offering valuable guidance to female students and early-career engineers.
In my role as General Chair of the IEEE International Conference on Computer Design (ICCD) in 2014, I organized a global WIE event. This event featured distinguished female engineers from universities and industry, including Vice Presidents from Samsung and other international leaders.
The audience included young female scholars and students, providing them with role models, practical advice, and direct access to successful women in technical leadership roles.
These efforts reflect my enduring commitment to equity, visibility, and mentorship for women in engineering, both in Korea and on the global stage.
Fostering Inclusive Student Innovation in Electrification
Fostering Inclusive Student Innovation in Electrification
At KAIST, I actively encouraged and mentored undergraduate students in founding a student-led electric vehicle (EV) fabrication club. The initiative brought together students from multiple disciplines, including female students from mechanical and electronics engineering, who played key roles in the team.
With my technical guidance, access to facilities, and strong mentorship support, the team successfully designed and fabricated a custom electric vehicle. The project culminated in their participation in a national DIY electric vehicle competition, where their work gained public recognition.
Notably, I encouraged a female student to serve as team leader, helping to foster confidence, leadership experience, and visibility for women in hands-on, engineering-intensive roles.
This initiative reflects my commitment to inclusive project-based learning, promoting equal opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in engineering innovation.
K–12 Outreach and Engineering Advocacy
K–12 Outreach and Engineering Advocacy
Following the economic downturn of the late 1990s and early 2000s in Korea—when engineering lost its top-tier appeal among high school students—I recognized the urgent need to revitalize interest in engineering education, even at leading institutions like Seoul National University (SNU).
As Associate Dean of the College of Engineering at SNU, I led several key outreach initiatives aimed at improving the quality and motivation of incoming engineering students:
Established a recurring program to invite high school science teachers and parents of prospective students to SNU’s College of Engineering
Introduced the realities and opportunities of modern engineering careers, discussed curriculum, and addressed misconceptions about engineering professions
Conducted career development talks at multiple high schools
Delivered motivational presentations to students, encouraging them to consider careers in engineering and apply to SNU College of Engineering
Volunteered seminars at two Seoul-based high schools, focusing on the role of engineers in the AI era and the increasing societal relevance of technical fields
Provided hands-on opportunities for K–12 students to visit my laboratory
Demonstrated real-world applications including electrification of mobility, energy harvesting, and power-aware electronics design, to inspire curiosity and early engagement in engineering
These sustained efforts have helped restore confidence in engineering as a prestigious and impactful career path, while also fostering early exposure and equity in access to technical education.
Volunteering as an Advisor for International Exchange Students
Volunteering as an Advisor for International Exchange Students
At KAIST, I have actively volunteered to mentor international exchange graduate students, helping them integrate into research communities and build confidence in technical domains—especially those traditionally underrepresented in hardware-focused engineering.
Advised a female graduate student from France with no prior hardware design experience. Under my guidance, she successfully completed a drone power management project through tailored, hands-on embedded systems research.
Mentored a female graduate student from the Philippines, who had a strong mathematical background but limited exposure to cyber-physical systems. She developed a deep interest in low-power systems research, which she continued to pursue after returning home—contributing to engineering capacity-building in her region.
Supervised a male exchange student from Poland, who contributed to the development of the world’s first extreme off-road electric Jeep Wrangler, which successfully completed the Rubicon Trail at Jeep Jamboree USA 2017—a milestone in electric vehicle history.
These mentorship efforts reflect my commitment to global inclusion, equitable research access, and capacity-building for students from regions with limited exposure to advanced experimental research environments.
Research Mentorship for Female Visiting Students in Hardware-Intensive Electronic Systems
Research Mentorship for Female Visiting Students in Hardware-Intensive Electronic Systems
I have mentored female visiting students from Germany and the United States, helping them bridge gaps in hands-on experience and thrive in hardware-intensive research fields where women remain underrepresented.
Mentored Alma Pröbstl, an undergraduate from Technical University of Munich (TUM), in battery aging experiments, which led to a co-authored publication:
Jaemin Kim, Alma Pröbstl, Samarjit Chakraborty, and Naehyuck Chang, “Aging Mitigation of Power Supply-Connected Batteries,” ACM/IEEE ISLPED, 2014.Supervised a female student from the University of Southern California, who worked on solar cell topology reconfiguration. I tailored experimental workflows to her learning level, resulting in a successful project published in:
Xue Lin, Yanzhi Wang, Massoud Pedram, Jaemin Kim, and Naehyuck Chang, “Event-driven and sensorless photovoltaic system reconfiguration for electric vehicles,” ACM/IEEE DATE, 2015.
She later became a faculty member at Syracuse University, continuing her academic career in research.
These experiences exemplify my belief that carefully tailored, inclusive mentorship empowers women and other underrepresented groups to succeed in technically demanding domains, transforming potential into long-term impact.
Public Seminar on Mobility Electrification for General Audiences
Public Seminar on Mobility Electrification for General Audiences
As a three-time recipient of the NRF (National Research Foundation) Leap Research Grant, I delivered annual public seminars for general audiences, including middle and high school students, educators, and adults with no technical background.
Each seminar introduced the technical and societal dimensions of mobility electrification, including electric vehicles, battery systems, and sustainable infrastructure. The lectures were carefully adapted to different knowledge levels to ensure accessibility and engagement.
These events reflect my dedication to science communication, lifelong learning, and the democratization of engineering knowledge—broadening access to technical education across age, background, and experience.
Collaborative Electrification Project with Diverse Industry Teams
Collaborative Electrification Project with Diverse Industry Teams
As part of my work on mobility electrification, I led the world’s first extreme off-road electric Jeep Wrangler conversion, in collaboration with Transamerican Auto Parts in Compton, California.
For several months, I worked hands-on at Poison Spyder Customs, managing and collaborating with a diverse group of professionals, including welders, fabricators, installers, warehouse staff, and even local junkyard workers. Through respectful communication, cultural awareness, and inclusive technical leadership, I successfully guided the team through the entire integration and build process.
I personally completed all system wiring, and the vehicle was showcased at the 2016 SEMA Show, where it was selected as one of the Top 10 Jeeps of the year.
This project illustrates how inclusive engineering leadership can unite individuals from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, creating shared ownership of innovation and tangible success.
As a committee member for the ACM, I participated in the selection of participants for the Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF)—a prestigious international event that connects early-career researchers with recipients of the ACM A.M. Turing Award, Abel Prize, Fields Medal, and IMU Abacus Medal.
Carefully reviewed and evaluated global applications, with a particular focus on supporting geographic and gender diversity, including strong representation from African nations
Contributed to an inclusive selection process that emphasized equity in access to mentorship, global scientific dialogue, and cross-generational inspiration
This service reflects my continued efforts to promote inclusive excellence in computing and mathematics, ensuring that emerging researchers from underrepresented regions and communities have access to world-class opportunities.
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