KAIST Distinguished Professor Lee Sang-yup has been elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM).
KAIST announced on the 20th that Professor Lee of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering became the first Asian researcher to be elected as a Fellow of the academy. The European Academy of Microbiology is the top academic body of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), which comprises approximately 30,000 microbiologists from 38 countries. As one of the most prestigious academic organizations selecting world-renowned scholars with outstanding research achievements and academic leadership, researchers from more than 30 countries have been elected as Fellows since its establishment in 2009, building a global network.
The academy promotes academic advancement across microbiology and plays key roles in policy advising, international cooperation, and nurturing next-generation researchers. Fellows serve crucial functions in academic discussions, policy dialogue, and building global cooperation networks, while also contributing to expanding the social impact of microbiology research.
When selecting new Fellows, the European Academy of Microbiology elects members annually through rigorous recommendation and review by existing Fellows without prior notification to candidates. In 2026, a total of 95 new Fellows were elected, including world-class researchers from various fields ranging from basic microbiology to medicine, environment, and biotechnology. European researchers comprised the majority again this year, with 16 from the United States and 3 from Australia among foreign selectees. KAIST Distinguished Professor Lee Sang-yup was the only one from Asia. This makes Korea the first Asian country to produce a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology.
Professor Lee is a world-renowned scholar who pioneered systems metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, leading industrial bio-innovation through the development of microbial-based chemical and material production technologies. This election recognizes his academic contributions and global leadership. A European Academy of Microbiology official stated, "The new Fellows represent the diversity and dynamism of microbiology and will play important roles in academic advancement and addressing global challenges."
Professor Lee said, "I consider this election as a Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology very meaningful. I will continue to contribute to solving environmental and energy problems facing humanity through the development of sustainable microbial-based bio-production technologies, and will actively participate in international joint research and academic exchange." Through this election, Distinguished Professor Lee Sang-yup will participate as a scholar representing Asia in Europe's most prestigious microbiology network, and is expected to play an increasingly important role in international joint research and policy discussions.
