Upstate NY Spring Symposium 2026

The chapter hosted its 2026 Spring Symposium on March 21, 2026 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, gathering researchers, professionals, and students from across the region under the theme Building the Future in the Age of AI.

The symposium reflected how far the chapter has come. In a little over a year it grew from a group of about 30 to 71 members — a network of Korean-American scientists and engineers spanning every major research institution in Upstate New York.

Invited talks

Prof. Sam Chung — Dean, School of Technology & Computing, City University of Seattle How AI Impacts the Future Job Market. A look at how AI is reshaping career opportunities and shifting the ground under entire industries.

Prof. Deok-Ho Kim — Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Advanced Human Microphysiological Systems for Disease Modeling, Drug Development, and Space Biology.

Prof. Ohbong J. Kwon — Computer Engineering Technology, New York City College of Technology Teaching Computer Engineering in the Age of AI.

The first student poster session

To draw students further into the chapter, the organizing committee introduced its first-ever poster session. Undergraduate and graduate students presented their research, took feedback from faculty and postdoctoral mentors, and built professional connections outside their own departments. Cash prizes recognized the strongest work.

Award winners

Place	Presenter	Institution
1st	Eunji Hong, Ph.D. student	SUNY Binghamton
2nd	Dayun Hwang, Ph.D. student	Cornell University
2nd	Minsung Kim, Ph.D. student	Cornell University
3rd	Minhwan Chung, Postdoc	University of Rochester
3rd	Sihun Lee, Ph.D. student	Cornell University
3rd	Hongsik Kim, Ph.D. student	Cornell University

The symposium closed with an award ceremony, a group photo, and a networking dinner — bridging established professionals and emerging researchers, and setting the foundation for the chapter’s next year.