In 2022 and 2023, 40 years after the establishment of the first SNU cell line, and 30 years after the establishment of KCLRF's Korean Cell Line Bank, the foundation, in collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute, awarded the SNU-Cell Line Research Award to a scientist who contributed to the advancement of life sciences through notable research using SNU cell lines.
In 2022, the award was presented to Professor Yoo-Sun Kim from Ajou University School of Medicine for her paper, RIPK3 Activation Induces TRIM28 Derepression in Cancer Cells and Enhances the Anti-tumor Microenvironment. Molecular Cancer 2021;20:107. In 2023, the award was presented to Professor Jung-Won Lee from Seoul National University College of Pharmacy for her paper, Transmembrane 4 L Six Family Member 5 Senses Arginine for mTORC1 Signaling. Cell Metabolism 2019;29:1306-1319.
Starting in 2024, to promote a broader range of research involving domestic cell lines, organoids, and stem cell lines, KCLRF will expand its awards program by the introduction of 2 new awards. In honor of Chairman Shin Sun Ho, a supporter of the foundation's mission, KCLRF will present the Shin Sun Ho Korean Cell Line Research Award to a scientist who has contributed to the advancement of life sciences using domestic cell lines, organoids, or stem cell lines, and the Shin Sun Ho Young Investigator Award to young researchers who have achieved outstanding research outcomes using these materials.
The 2024 Shin Sun Ho Korean Cell Line Research Award was presented to Professor Park Jun Won of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, for his paper entitled
“Combined inhibition of Bcl-2 family members and YAP induces synthetic lethality in metastatic gastric cancer with RASA1 and NF2 deficiency” published in Molecular Cancer 2023;22:156, (IF 33.9).
The 2025 Shin Sun Ho Korean Cell Line Research Award was awarded to Dr. Jung Juyeon, Director of the Bionano Research Center at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), for her paper entitled “Targeting CD155 in lung adenocarcinoma: A5 nanobody-based therapeutics for precision treatment and enhanced drug delivery” published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy 2025;10:218, (IF 52.7).
The 2025 Shin Sun Ho Young Investigator Award was presented to Chandani Shrestha an international student from Nepal currently enrolled in the combined MS–PhD program at the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea (Supervisor: Associate Professor Ji-Yoon Kim, Department of Pharmacology), for her paper entitled “Condensation of the 85:4398, (IF 16.6).
『The Shin Sun Ho Korean Cell Line Research Award』
Eligibility: Scientists who have published a paper as a corresponding author in a high-impact SCIE journal (Impact Factor ≥ 30, based on the latest JCR data, including e-published articles) between 2022 and 2026, utilizing cell lines, organoids, or stem cell lines established in Korea.
If a paper has multiple corresponding authors, one representative corresponding author will be designated as the award recipient after mutual agreement among the co-corresponding authors.
Award: Certificate and prize of 10 million KRW
Award Date and Location: December 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM, 2th Floor, Samsung Cancer Research Building, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University
Submission Materials: Curriculum vitae and PDF of the nominated paper. Submit via email.
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026
Contact: kclresearchaward@gmail.com, 02-3668-7905, 7914
『The Shin Sun Ho Young Investigator Award』
Eligibility: Graduate students or graduates under the age of 45 who have published a paper as the first author in a high-impact SCIE journal (Impact Factor ≥ 15, based on the latest JCR data, including e-published articles) between 2022 and 2026. The paper must utilize cell lines, organoids, or stem cell lines established in Korea, and the applicant must have a recommendation from the corresponding author.
If a paper has multiple first authors, one representative first author will be designated as the award recipient after mutual agreement among the co-first authors.
Award: Certificate and prize of 5 million KRW
Award Date and Location: December 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM, 2nd Floor, Samsung Cancer Research Building, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University
Submission Materials: Curriculum vitae, PDF of the nominated paper, and Recommendation letter from the corresponding author. Submit via email.
Submission Deadline:October 31, 2026
Contact: kclresearchaward@gmail.com, 02-3668-7905, 7914
