Zhouchen Lin | Deep Learning | Global Impact in Research Award

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Prof. Dr. Zhouchen Lin | Deep Learning | Global Impact in Research Award

Associate Dean at Peking University, China

Zhouchen Lin is a renowned academician and a distinguished figure in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence, currently serving as the Associate Dean and Boya Special Professor at the School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Peking University. He also holds prominent roles as the Associate Director of the Key Laboratory of Machine Intelligence and Director of the Center for Machine Learning at Peking University’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence. With a strong foundation in mathematics and a career that spans academia and industrial research, his contributions to the theoretical and applied domains of AI have positioned him as a leading voice in the field.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Zhouchen Lin’s educational journey is deeply rooted in mathematics. He earned his Ph.D. from the School of Mathematics, Peking University in July 2000. Prior to this, he completed his M.Phil. at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in July 1997, his M.S. in Mathematics at Peking University in July 1995, and his B.S. in Mathematics from Nankai University in July 1993. His robust academic background in mathematical theory has been instrumental in shaping his pioneering work in artificial intelligence and optimization algorithms.

Experience

Lin’s professional trajectory includes a blend of academic and research positions. Since November 2021, he has been a Professor at the School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Peking University. He was previously a professor in the Department of Machine Intelligence at Peking University’s School of EECS from 2012 to 2021. His industry research career was primarily at Microsoft Research Asia, where he worked in multiple roles from 2000 to 2012, including as a Lead Researcher in the Visual Computing Group. His adjunct roles span institutions like the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Samsung Research, and Southeast University, underscoring his collaborative influence across academia and industry.

Research Interest

Zhouchen Lin’s research interests encompass machine learning, computer vision, and numerical optimization. Within machine learning, he specializes in sparse and low-rank representation, deep learning, and spiking neural networks. His computer vision work includes object detection, segmentation, and recognition. He also delves into optimization techniques, focusing on both convex and nonconvex optimization as well as stochastic and asynchronous optimization, contributing extensively to the development of scalable algorithms in AI.

Award

Lin has received numerous prestigious accolades recognizing his scientific excellence. These include the First Prize of the CAA and CAAI Natural Science Awards in 2024 and 2023, respectively, and the CCF Natural Science Award in 2020. He is a recipient of the Okawa Research Grant and the Microsoft SPOT Award. Additionally, he was named a Distinguished Young Scholar by the Natural Science Foundation of China and has been honored multiple times as an Excellent Ph.D. Supervisor. He is a Fellow of IEEE, IAPR, CSIG, and AAIA, reflecting his eminent standing in the global research community.

Publication

Among Lin’s prolific research outputs, several key papers stand out. In 2024, he co-authored “Designing Universally-Approximating Deep Neural Networks: A First-Order Optimization Approach” published in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (46(9): 6231-6246), which examines optimization strategies for deep networks. Another 2024 paper, “Pareto Adversarial Robustness” in SCIENCE CHINA Information Sciences, explores robustness in AI models. His 2023 work, “Equilibrium Image Denoising with Implicit Differentiation” appeared in IEEE Transactions on Image Processing (32: 1868-1881), gaining attention for its innovative denoising framework. “SPIDE: A Purely Spike-based Method for Training Feedback Spiking Neural Networks” (Neural Networks, 161, 2023) is influential in neuromorphic computing. Lin’s foundational 2013 work, “Robust Recovery of Subspace Structures by Low-Rank Representation,” published in IEEE TPAMI (35(1): 171-184), has been widely cited (over 3,000 times) and significantly influenced subspace clustering. Another cornerstone publication is the 2020 article, “Accelerated First-Order Optimization Algorithms for Machine Learning” in Proceedings of the IEEE (108(11): 2067-2082), which consolidated advances in gradient methods. Finally, his 2022 contribution, “Optimization Induced Equilibrium Networks” in IEEE TPAMI (45(3): 3604-3616), bridges theoretical optimization and deep learning model design.

Conclusion

Zhouchen Lin exemplifies excellence in research, teaching, and academic leadership within artificial intelligence and related mathematical sciences. His influential research, global recognition, and deep commitment to mentorship have collectively enriched the AI research landscape. As both a thought leader and innovator, he continues to push the boundaries of AI, enabling robust, interpretable, and efficient machine learning solutions for real-world challenges.

Ki Jung Kim | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ki Jung Kim | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at Institute for Basic Science, South Korea

Ki Jung Kim, Ph.D., is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Cognition and Sociality at the Institute for Basic Science, located in Daejeon, South Korea. With a strong academic foundation in genetic engineering, neuropharmacology, and neurobiology, Dr. Kim has developed expertise in the dynamics of neuro-glial-vascular interactions, with a particular focus on the mechanisms underlying vascular cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. His research spans across diverse methodologies, including advanced animal models and in vitro approaches, to unravel the complex cellular communication between neurons, astrocytes, and blood vessels in the brain.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Kim earned his Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering from KyungHee University, South Korea, in 2000. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Neuropharmacology at the Catholic University of Korea’s College of Medicine, where he worked under the mentorship of Prof. Ki-Wug Sung. His doctoral research, also at the Catholic University of Korea, culminated in a Ph.D. in Neurobiology in 2009, where he continued under the guidance of Prof. Sung, further solidifying his expertise in brain function and neurovascular coupling.

Experience

Dr. Kim began his research career as a Research Assistant in the Department of Pharmacology at Catholic University of Korea, where he contributed to numerous projects exploring neuropharmacology. From 2009 to 2019, he served as a Postdoctoral Associate and later as a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, USA. During this time, Dr. Kim focused on vascular cognitive impairment and the neurovascular unit’s role in brain function. In 2021, he joined the Institute for Basic Science as a Senior Researcher, where he continues his investigation into brain function and vascular health, specifically looking at the impact of astrocyte activity in neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Interest

Dr. Kim’s research primarily investigates neurovascular coupling, focusing on how astrocytes contribute to the regulation of blood flow and neuronal activity in the brain. His work seeks to better understand the pathophysiology of vascular cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. By using mouse models and advanced imaging techniques, Dr. Kim aims to elucidate the role of astrocytes and endothelial cells in maintaining brain homeostasis and how their dysfunction contributes to disease. His research combines elements of neurobiology, pharmacology, and vascular biology to address key questions in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

Award

Dr. Kim has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including being part of pioneering teams recognized for their work in neurovascular coupling. He has been cited widely in the field and has contributed to several highly regarded publications, including those in journals such as Neuroglia, Exp Neurobiol, and GeroScience. Dr. Kim’s work has been acknowledged for advancing our understanding of vascular cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, making him a respected leader in his field.

Publication

Dr. Kim’s research has led to several influential publications, including:

Kim, K.J., Lee, J.H., Lim, J., et al. (2025). Astrocyte‐Specific Phenotyping of FAD4T as an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model. Glia.

Lee, Y., Reva, M., Kim, K.J., et al. (2025). Distinct modes of dopamine modulation on striatopallidal synaptic transmission. BioRxiv.

Kim, K.J., Patterson, R.E., Diaz, J.R., et al. (2024). Dynamic Neuro-Glial-Vascular Responses in a Mouse Model of Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Neuroglia.

Joo, J., Kim, K.J., Lim, J., et al. (2024). Generation of astrocyte-specific BEST1 conditional knockout mouse with reduced tonic GABA inhibition. Exp Neurobiol.

Nam, M.H., Ko, H.Y., Kim, D., et al. (2023). Visualizing reactive astrocyte-neuron interaction in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain.

Kim, K.J., Diaz, J.R., Presa, J.L., et al. (2021). Decreased parenchymal arteriole tone in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment. GeroScience.

Ramiro-Diaz, J.M., Kim, K.J., Brands, M., et al. (2019). Augmented astrocyte microdomain Ca2+ dynamics and parenchymal arteriole tone in angiotensin II-infused hypertensive mice. Glia.

Conclusion

Dr. Ki Jung Kim’s work at the Institute for Basic Science has significantly advanced our understanding of the neurovascular unit’s role in brain health and disease. His expertise in neurovascular coupling and its implications for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and vascular cognitive impairment has positioned him as a key contributor to the field. With numerous publications, international presentations, and ongoing research, Dr. Kim’s career continues to have a profound impact on the scientific community’s understanding of brain function and neurodegenerative diseases.