College of Pharmacy graduate student Yoon Byeol selected for the National Research Foundation of Korea Master’s and Doctoral Research Encouragement Grant Program

- One year of research from September… KRW 12 million in support for science and engineering fields

- Basic research that edits only at the necessary time and site to reduce off-target effects

Gyeongsang National University (President Kwon Jin-hoe) stated that Yoon Byeol, in the integrated master’s–doctoral program at the College of Pharmacywas selected as a recipient of the National Research Foundation of Korea research encouragement grant for research that controls gene editing with light to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Affiliated with Professor Kang Yu-kyung’s research team, Yoon Byeol was selected for the National Research Foundation of Korea “2026 Master’s Student Research Encouragement Grant Program” and, from September 2026 to August 2027 for one year, will carry out ▲ research on treating wet age-related macular degeneration through spatiotemporally precise gene editing based on light-controlled CRISPR-Cas9.

This program is funded by the Ministry of Education and supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, helping graduate students proactively research creative and challenging ideas linked to their theses. For master’s programs in science and engineering, it provides a total of KRW 12 million in research funding for one year.

Yoon Byeol’s research aims to develop a precision therapeutic technology that, using light-responsive gene scissors (CRISPR-Cas9), controls gene-editing activity only at the necessary time and site. Targeting genes associated with wet AMD, it conducts basic research to increase editing accuracy and reduce off-target effects. Furthermore, it aims to lay the groundwork for a precision gene therapy platform applicable to various diseases.

Yoon Byeol has also participated in the Laboratory Practice Mileage Program of the Gyeongsangnam-do Anchor (RISE) initiative, steadily building capabilities in research topic discovery and experimental work.

The College of Pharmacy at Gyeongsang National University plans to further expand research and practical training support so that students can take the lead in planning research and achieving results.

·Photo caption:Yoon Byeol, integrated master’s–doctoral program, College of Pharmacy

Department in charge:Professor Kang Yu-kyung, College of Pharmacy | 055-772-2435 |y.kang@gnu.ac.kr

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