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Yejin Lyu, a 2024 graduate of SUNY Korea Stony Brook University with a degree in Business Management, has recently been accepted into Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). During her time at SUNY Korea, the globally integrated academic environment provided her with a diverse perspective which opened doors to prestigious internship opportunities at international organizations, including the United Nations. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping her career aspirations and ultimately led to her acceptance at Columbia SIPA. Can you introduce yourself? I am Yejin Lyu and I graduated with a Business Management degree from SUNY Korea Stony Brook University in 2024, with a specialization in Marketing. I joined SUNY Korea in 2020 and took a gap year to work at the United Nations, which profoundly shaped my perspective on global markets and international development. Why did you choose to study at SUNY Korea SBU? I chose to study at SUNY Korea, Stony Brook University, because it offers a globally integrated curriculum while providing valuable opportunities in Korea. The program's structure allows students to spend three years in Korea and one year at Stony Brook University in New York, which enables a seamless blend of both academic and professional experiences. This unique model provides the same prestigious degree as Stony Brook while offering exposure to both Korean and U.S. work environments, equipping me with a well-rounded, global perspective essential for my career. During your university years, did you participate in any internships, competitions, or other activities? How did these experiences contribute to your career growth? During university, I worked as a Teaching Assistant, at the Writing Center, and took on internships. Through the Career Services’ emails, I discovered the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA) College Leaders Program, which sparked my interest in international organizations. This led me to take a gap year, during which I found and applied for an internship at United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), also through the Career Services. That experience confirmed my goal of working in the United Nations, motivating me to pursue graduate studies for deeper knowledge and expertise. Since then, I have gained further field experience at United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO) Korea and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), ultimately leading to my acceptance into Johns Hopkins SAIS (University School of Advanced International Studies) and Columbia SIPA (School of International and Public Affairs).        What led you to pursue graduate studies at Columbia university, and what are your aspirations for the future?  My experience at the UN inspired me to pursue graduate studies at Columbia SIPA in New York City, home to the UN headquarters and major international organizations. SIPA’s hands-on approach, global network, and policy-focused curriculum make it the ideal place to deepen my expertise in International Affairs. I aim to gain practical experience in global policymaking and apply it to real-world challenges. My long-term goal is to work in international organizations, shaping policies that drive sustainable development and global cooperation.   What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? Due to COVID-19, I had limited opportunities to participate in school activities during my early years at SUNY Korea. However, my experience at Stony Brook University in New York last year was truly memorable. Immersing myself in a diverse environment, I had the opportunity to interact with people from various backgrounds and cultures. This experience broadened my perspective, deepened my understanding of global dynamics, and reinforced my interest in international affairs. Are there any key lessons or skills from SUNY Korea that have been particularly valuable in your journey? SUNY Korea’s Career Services provided invaluable support by connecting me to external opportunities that shaped my career path. Moreover, classes that required the use of various IT tools enhanced my documentation and organizational skills. Additionally, the mandatory writing courses required for graduation significantly improved my academic writing. These skills were especially beneficial when applying for graduate school, enabling me to articulate my ideas effectively on my own。 What advice would you offer to students pursuing their academic and professional goals? Make the most of the opportunities provided by the university and seek internships to gain valuable field experience. Most importantly, try everything—don’t be afraid to try new things. When I first applied to graduate school in 2024, I hesitated to aim for top programs and held myself back. However, that experience helped me recognize my potential, and in 2025, I challenged myself to apply to highly renowned schools—and was accepted. Trust in your abilities, take risks, and keep pushing forward. 

  The Role of Genetics in the Academic Success of College Students The relationship between genetics and personal traits such as skin color, height, eye color, and health risks are well understood. However, the relationship between genetics and academic success is less clear. It has been the subject of many new research studies.  All research, in general, agrees that many factors, including environmental influences, socioeconomic background, personal motivation, and genetic predispositions, influence academic success. This dichotomy is referred to as "nature" and "nurture".  Recent genomic studies have, however, uncovered "genetic nurture" effects, whereby parental genotypes influence offspring outcomes via environmental pathways rather than genetic transmission. A comprehensive study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reviewed 12 studies comprising 38,654 distinct parent(s)-offspring pairs or trios from 8 cohorts. The study quantified these effects and found that the direct genetic effects on offspring's educational outcomes were twice as high as genetic nurture effects.  A range of cognitive and noncognitive traits drives academic achievement. One of the primary ways genetics influences academic success is through cognitive ability. Intelligence, often measured through IQ tests, has been shown to have a strong genetic component. A research paper published in the Jornal Nature in 2018 by Plomin & von Stumm estimates that approximately 50-80% of individual differences in intelligence are hereditary. Twin and adoption studies reinforce this idea, showing that identical twins raised apart often exhibit similar cognitive abilities. In contrast, adopted children resemble their biological parents more than their adoptive ones in terms of intelligence. Beyond general intelligence, polygenic scores—measures of genetic influence based on multiple genetic variants—have shown that genetics also affect specific cognitive functions crucial to academic success, such as memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. According to a 2018 research paper by Lee et al., students with higher polygenic scores tend to perform better in school. While genetics provides a strong foundation for academic abilities, these abilities can only be realized under conducive environmental factors. A 2019 study by the University of York found that socioeconomic status (SES) is more beneficial than genes for academic success. In this study, 47% of children with high polygenic scores but a poorer background made it to university, compared with 62% of children with a low score but more affluent parents. Children with high polygenic scores for education who were also from wealthy and well-educated family backgrounds had the most significant advantage, with 77% going to university. Several studies on the impact of low SES-related factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and difficult early childhood experiences indicate that they can alter gene expression and affect cognitive development and learning ability. For instance, prolonged stress can negatively impact brain function, reducing working memory and attention and hindering academic performance despite a student's genetic predisposition for intelligence.  These genetic research discoveries also raise serious ethical consideration regarding how this information should be used. While genetic insights can help identify students who may need additional educational support, there is a risk of misuse, such as genetic determinism—the belief that genetics alone determine success—or discrimination based on genetic predispositions. Additionally, concerns about privacy and consent must be addressed when using genetic data in educational settings. Other concerns include the fact that almost all related studies have been conducted on populations from the US and Europe. Global studies, including broader populations in Asia and Africa, are lacking.   In summary, environmental factors and children's inherited DNA differences are potent predictors of educational achievement.  Acknowledging this complexity enables educators, policymakers, and students to take a well-rounded approach that fosters individual growth while promoting equal access to educational opportunities. Click here to read the article.  

  SUNY Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) on March 10th, 2025. The signing ceremony was attended by Arthur H. Lee, President of SUNY Korea, and Michael Moimoi, Head of TCIS.  This Memorandum of Understanding outlines key areas of collaboration between TCIS and SUNY Korea. The two institutions have agreed to collaborate on initiatives such as the designation of a "partner school," joint educational programs, and the hosting of student-oriented events. In particular, Taejeon Foreign Language High School holds special significance as the first institution to be designated as a "partner school" by SUNY Korea. Students from TCIS will receive various forms of support, including preferential consideration in the admissions process, while both institutions will officially promote each other. President Arthur Lee stated, “Our university has strengths in the STEAM field, making our collaboration with TICS meaningful.” He added, “We will do our best to educate students who receive an excellent education from TICS so that when they enroll at our university, they can grow into talents who will make an impact not only in Korea but also on the global stage.” Michael Moimoi added, “I am pleased that I had the opportunity to visit SUNY Korea and learn about the university that our future students will attend. It is deeply moving to establish an agreement with a university and share our core value of ‘Learn, Love, Lead.’ We look forward to seeing our students strive and grow at SUNY Korea through the integration of our school’s STEAM based education.”    

  Professor Jongseong Brad Choi of the Mechanical Engineering Department at SUNY Korea has been selected for the “Outstanding Young Researcher Program” under the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Basic Research Support Initiative for 2025. This year's selection was highly competitive, with the number of awarded projects reduced by half compared to the previous year. With this selection, SUNY Korea has secured a total of 1.25 billion KRW in funding over five years. This is one of the largest awards ever granted under this initiative and reinforces the university’s growing research impact.   The research project, themed "Human Machine Interaction," is titled “True Twin: Development of AI-Based Hyper-Realistic Digital Twin Core Technology for Multi-Party Distributed Collaboration and Predictive Maintenance in Mixed Reality.” It focuses on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and visual technologies to develop a real-time remote collaboration system. This research aims to overcome the limitations of physical distance by enabling real-time multi-party collaboration in virtual spaces. By leveraging hyper-realistic visual information, it allows engineers to work together as if they were in the same location without having to visit the site in person. This innovation is expected to establish a new paradigm for remote communication and could become a standard for telecommunication in the future, particularly as remote work becomes more widespread. Furthermore, in the context of a shrinking population and a growing shortage of engineering professionals, this technology is expected to play a key role in supporting the remote operation of global manufacturing industries, such as managing overseas factory facilities. Professor Choi expressed his passion, stating, “At a time when the field of engineering is undergoing rapid transformation with the advent of AI, I am delighted to contribute to expanding academic horizons by incorporating research on visual intelligence.” He added, “This research grant is not just a personal achievement but an opportunity to showcase SUNY Korea’s strong global network and accessibility to cutting-edge technology, while also reinforcing the university’s high research standards among domestic institutions.” Furthermore, he emphasized his commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment, saying, “I want to help undergraduate students become more familiar with AI and other emerging technologies by encouraging them to collaborate with graduate students in meaningful research projects.” Currently, Professor Choi leads the MEIC (Mechanical Systems with Intelligence and Computer Vision) Lab, which focuses on Engineering-Soft-Power as its key research theme. His lab specializes in visual intelligence systems, vision-based control, digital twins, and human-machine interaction. The lab consists of 12 researchers, including four Ph.D. students, four master’s students, and three undergraduate students, all of whom have contributed to innovative research achievements and received numerous awards.  The selection of this Outstanding Young Researcher Project is a significant milestone demonstrating SUNY Korea’s research competitiveness and potential for continued growth. It also marks a meaningful achievement to Professor Choi’s dedicated efforts and the university’s ongoing industry-academia collaboration efforts. SUNY Korea reiterated its commitment to further advancing as a global research hub through innovative and practical research initiatives.   MEIC Lab Website:  https://www.meic-lab.com/