The Nevada Chapter of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) held its Inaugural Meeting and 2026 Nevada Interdisciplinary Research Symposium on March 7, 2026, at the Science & Engineering Building (SEB) Auditorium at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The event marked a historic milestone for the Korean-American science and engineering community in Nevada, bringing together 31participants (25 KSEA members), including faculty members, researchers, students, and community leaders.
The gathering celebrated the establishment of the KSEA Nevada Chapter, which will officially be formed in 2026 to foster a strong professional network of scientists, engineers, faculty, and students across the state. The chapter aims to connect Nevada’s Korean-American STEM community with the broader KSEA network and to promote collaboration among institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).
Inaugural Meeting Organizing Committee: Drs. Mira Han, Mingon, Kang, Junyong Kang (UNLV), Drs. Jeongwon Park, Yeongkwon Son (DRI), Hokwon Cho (UNLV, Chair)
Nevada is home to a rapidly growing Korean-American community and an expanding innovation ecosystem. With major research universities such as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Desert Research Institute (DRI), and Nevada State University (NSU), along with community colleges and research institutions across NSHE, the state offers a strong foundation for scientific collaboration and talent development.
The KSEA Nevada Chapter will serve as a regional hub for networking, mentoring, interdisciplinary research collaboration, and professional development, connecting scholars, students, and industry professionals throughout Nevada and the broader KSEA community.
The inaugural meeting of the Nevada Chapter of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA-NV) began with opening remarks by Professor Hokwon Cho, Chair of the Inaugural Committee. Professor Cho warmly welcomed participants and expressed his appreciation to the founding members and attendees who helped make the establishment of the Nevada Chapter possible.
In his remarks, Professor Cho reflected on the growth of the Korean academic community in Nevada. When he first joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 1999, there were only about ten Korean faculty members and researchers on campus. Over the past two decades, however, the number of Korean scholars in Nevada has increased significantly, with more than fifty faculty members and researchers now active across institutions, particularly at UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). This remarkable growth created the momentum and the need for a formal organization to connect Korean-American scientists and engineers in the region.
Professor Cho emphasized that the establishment of the KSEA-NV Chapter marks an important milestone in building a strong, sustainable scientific network in Nevada. He highlighted the importance of creating a structured platform where researchers and scholars from diverse fields can exchange ideas, share research opportunities, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. He also stressed that the chapter's success will depend on the active participation and cooperation of its members.
Following the opening remarks, the inaugural committee introduced the Nevada Chapter's vision and mission. The chapter aims to build a vibrant scientific and professional network that connects researchers, faculty members, students, and professionals across Las Vegas, Reno, and the surrounding areas. Through this network, the chapter seeks to promote academic collaboration, strengthen professional relationships, and support the advancement of Korean-American scientists and engineers.
The committee also presented the chapter’s 2026 business plan and long-term development strategy for 2027–2028. The proposed plans focus on expanding membership, strengthening collaboration among universities and research institutions, and establishing programs that support students and early-career researchers. Key initiatives include organizing academic seminars and networking events, developing mentorship opportunities, and creating platforms for information sharing and collaboration.
Through these efforts, the Nevada Chapter of KSEA aims to serve as an important hub for scientific exchange, professional development, and community engagement, while contributing to KSEA's broader mission of supporting Korean-American scientists and engineers.
The inaugural meeting featured congratulatory messages from distinguished KSEA leaders who shared insights on the organization’s mission and encouraged the development of the Nevada Chapter.
Guest speakers included:
Dr. Ohbong Kwon (CUNY City Tech)
Dr. Deok-Ho Kim (Johns Hopkins University)
Dr. Clara Kim (Boehringer Ingelheim, KSEA Young Generation Director)
The speakers highlighted KSEA’s global role in advancing science and engineering, supporting next-generation leaders, and promoting collaboration between academia and industry. They also expressed strong support for the Nevada Chapter’s future contributions to the national KSEA network.
The 2026 Nevada Interdisciplinary Research Symposium featured research presentations from faculty and community leaders across multiple disciplines.
Highlights included:
Mingon Kang (UNLV) – Trustworthy AI for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research
Youngjin Cho (UNLV) – Effect-Wise Inference for Smoothing Spline ANOVA on Tensor-Product Sobolev Space
Ji Yoo and Tina Lee (UNLV / NIHAN / 93x95NV) – Community and Student Pipeline to Nevada Healthcare
Sungju Moon (Nevada State University) – The Case for Undergraduate Research at a Teaching-Focused University
A featured talk by Professor Jeongwon Park (University of Nevada, Reno) explored “Why Interdisciplinary Research is Shaping the Future of Science and Engineering.” The presentation highlighted how emerging challenges—such as AI-driven automation, precision healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure—require cross-disciplinary collaboration to accelerate innovation and maximize societal impact.
Participants gathered for a commemorative photo session and a networking luncheon, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations among faculty, researchers, and students.
In the afternoon session, founding members introduced themselves by their research fields, including:
Computer Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Bioengineering and Biomedical Sciences
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Mathematics and Statistics
Hospitality and Business
Attendees also participated in brief “speed talks,” sharing their research interests and exploring potential collaboration opportunities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants celebrated the formal declaration establishing the KSEA Nevada Chapter. The announcement recognized the collective efforts of the founding members and affirmed the chapter’s mission to:
Foster collaboration among scientists and engineers in Nevada
Support mentorship and professional development
Promote interdisciplinary research and innovation
Strengthen ties with the national and global KSEA community
The event concluded with closing remarks and a second commemorative group photo.
The launch of the KSEA Nevada Chapter represents a significant step forward for Nevada’s growing scientific and engineering community. The chapter will play a key role in building connections across institutions, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting future leaders in STEM.
The Nevada Chapter also looks forward to contributing to major KSEA initiatives, including preparations for the US–Korea Conference (UKC) 2027, expected to bring global scientific collaboration and engagement to Nevada.
With the enthusiasm and dedication of its founding members, the KSEA Nevada Chapter begins its journey as a vibrant platform for innovation, collaboration, and community building in science and engineering.