Tun Naw Sut | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tun Naw Sut | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Sungkyunkwan University | South Korea

Dr. Tun Naw Sut is a nanomedicine and chemical engineering researcher whose work integrates biomimetic membrane science, lipid nanoarchitectonics, and advanced biointerface engineering to address challenges in diagnostics, biosensing, and therapeutic design. His research focuses on constructing lipid-based biomimetic membrane platforms, investigating lipid self-assembly mechanisms, and elucidating how lipid–protein and lipid–nanomaterial interactions influence membrane structure, stability, and function. He has made notable contributions to understanding antimicrobial lipid mixtures, multivalency-driven membrane deformation, cholesterol-dependent membrane behavior, and the mechanobiology of extracellular vesicle mimetics. His extensive publication record spans high-impact journals in nanotechnology, materials science, and biointerfaces, demonstrating expertise in supported lipid bilayers, bicelle-mediated membrane fabrication, plasmonic biosensing platforms, antiviral lipid systems, and membrane-disruptive nanostructures. Professionally, he has engaged in interdisciplinary research environments advancing membrane technologies for biosensing, virus detection, antimicrobial strategies, and therapeutic delivery. He has also contributed to scientific leadership as a guest editor and topic editor in reputable journals, supporting the dissemination of emerging work in biomimicry, functional materials, and membrane science. His research portfolio reflects robust experience in experimental design, membrane characterization, microfluidic lipid nanoparticle development, and the translation of lipid-based systems toward diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Sut, T. N., Yoon, B. K., & Jackman, J. A. (2025). Synergistic membrane disruption of E. coli tethered lipid bilayers by antimicrobial lipid mixtures. Biomimetics, 10(11), Article 739.

Sut, T. N., & Yoon, B. K. (2024). Editorial for the Special Issue: “Biomimicry and Functional Materials—First, Second, and Third Editions”. Biomimetics, 9(7), 437.

Moon, S., Sut, T. N., Yoon, B. K., & Jackman, J. A. (2024). Unraveling how antimicrobial lipid mixtures disrupt virus-mimicking lipid vesicles: A QCM-D study. Biomimetics, 9(2), 67.

Sut, T. N., Jackman, J. A., & Cho, N.-J. (2023). Cholesterol-enriched hybrid lipid bilayer formation on inverse phosphocholine lipid-functionalized titanium oxide surfaces. Biomimetics, 8(8), 588.

Park, H., Sut, T. N., Yoon, B. K., Zhdanov, V. P., Kim, J. W., Cho, N.-J., & Jackman, J. A. (2022). Multivalency-induced shape deformation of nanoscale lipid vesicles: Size-dependent membrane bending effects. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 13.

Wojciech Zapala | Chemical Engineering | Editorial Board Member

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wojciech Zapala | Chemical Engineering | Editorial Board Member

Professor | Rzeszow University of Technology | Poland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wojciech Zapala is a researcher whose work spans chromatographic science, adsorption thermodynamics, sorption kinetics, separation mechanisms, and the physicochemical behaviour of materials under complex processing conditions. His research integrates experimental chromatography, mathematical modelling, spectral and thermal analyses, and discrete element simulations, contributing to a deeper understanding of mass transport, retention processes, and material flow dynamics. He has extensively studied hydrophilic interaction chromatography, mixed-mode systems, ion-exclusion processes, and the influence of modifiers, temperature, and stationary-phase characteristics on retention. His contributions also include the development and characterization of transition-metal and lanthanide complexes, with detailed investigations of their spectroscopic, thermal, decomposition, and antibacterial properties. In addition, his work explores the mechanical, rheological, and flowability properties of agricultural residues, biomass, and solid mixtures, combining modelling approaches with laboratory experiments to support process optimization in engineering applications. He has authored numerous publications in international journals, covering areas such as chromatographic column behaviour, adsorption energy distribution, biomass mechanics, complexation chemistry, and advanced thermal analysis. His interdisciplinary expertise allows him to bridge chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, materials science, and computational modelling, contributing valuable insights into separation science, material characterization, and process design. Throughout his career, he has engaged in competitive research grants, collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, and contributed to the advancement of chromatographic theory and applied material science through sustained scholarly output and innovative methodological approaches.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gubernak, M., Zapała, W., & Kaczmarski, K. (2003). Analysis of amylbenzene adsorption equilibria on an RP-18e chromatographic column. Acta Chromatographica, 38–59.

Kaczmarski, K., Kostka, J., Zapała, W., & Guiochon, G. (2009). Modeling of thermal processes in high pressure liquid chromatography: I. Low pressure onset of thermal heterogeneity. Journal of Chromatography A, 1216(38), 6560–6574.

Zapała, L., Kosińska, M., Woźnicka, E., Byczyński, Ł., & Zapała, W. (2016). Synthesis, spectral and thermal study of La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III) and Tb(III) complexes with mefenamic acid. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 124(1), 363–374.

Zapała, L., Kosińska, M., Woźnicka, E., Byczyński, Ł., Ciszkowicz, E., et al. (2019). Comparison of spectral and thermal properties and antibacterial activity of new binary and ternary complexes of Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) ions with N-phenylanthranilic acid. Thermochimica Acta, 671, 134–148.

Zapała, L., Kosińska, M., Woźnicka, E., Byczyński, Ł., Zapała, W., et al. (2018). Preparation, spectral properties and thermal decomposition of new ternary complexes of La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III) and Nd(III) ions with N-phenylanthranilic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline. Thermochimica Acta, 659, 242–252.

Thi Sinh Vo | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Thi Sinh Vo | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Thi Sinh Vo, known as Helen Vo, embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science, specializing in Polymer & Composite Materials, from Ho Chi Minh City University of Science, Vietnam National University. During her undergraduate studies, she delved into research on water-soluble chitosan and its application in stabilizing gamma irradiation-assisted silver nanoparticles, showcasing her early interest and expertise in materials science and polymer chemistry.

Professional Endeavors

Her professional journey encompasses a diverse range of experiences, from her roles as a Chemical Engineer at CHING LUH Shoes Co., Ltd., to her tenure as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sungkyunkwan University's School of Mechanical Engineering. She has contributed significantly to various research labs, including the COME Lab and the Polymer Lab at Sungkyunkwan University, where she has been involved in synthesizing novel materials for applications such as organic dye adsorption and piezoresistive sensing.

Contributions and Research Focus

Throughout her career, She has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the synthesis and characterization of functional composites. Her doctoral dissertation focused on chitosan-based functional composites for organic dye adsorption and piezoresistive sensing, demonstrating her expertise in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing advanced materials. Additionally, her research interests span self-healable materials, composite membranes, wearable sensors, and water/wastewater treatment technologies.

Accolades and Recognition

Her exemplary academic achievements and research contributions have garnered recognition both domestically and internationally. She has received accolades such as the Ph.D. of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with a remarkable GPA of 3.95/4.5 from Sungkyunkwan University. Furthermore, her research has been published in reputable journals and conferences, solidifying her reputation as a leading researcher in her field.

Impact and Influence

Her research has had a profound impact on the field of materials science, particularly in the development of innovative materials with applications ranging from environmental remediation to wearable sensor technology. Her work holds promise for addressing pressing societal challenges, such as water pollution and healthcare monitoring, and has the potential to shape future advancements in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As She continues her academic and professional journey, her legacy is marked by a dedication to excellence in research and a commitment to addressing real-world problems through innovative materials design. Her future contributions are poised to further advance the field of materials science, with a focus on sustainability, functionality, and societal impact. Through her research, teaching, and collaborative endeavors, She aims to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers and leave a lasting legacy in the field of materials science and engineering.

Citations

A total of  388 citations for her publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of her research within the academic community.

  • Citations          388
  • h-index              9
  • i10-index           8

Notable Publications 

Heavy metal removal applications using adsorptive membranes

Recycling performance of graphene oxide-chitosan hybrid hydrogels for removal of cationic and anionic dyes

Enhancement of water absorption capacity and compressibility of hydrogel sponges prepared from gelatin/chitosan matrix with different polyols

Incorporation of hydroxyapatite in crosslinked gelatin/chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) hybrids utilizing as reinforced composite sponges, and their water absorption ability

Organic dye removal and recycling performances of graphene oxide-coated biopolymer sponge

Graphene Oxide–Chitosan Network on a Dialysis Cellulose Membrane for Efficient Removal of Organic Dyes

Preparation and Characterization of Bis-Propargyl-Succinate, and its Application in Preliminary Healing Ability of Crosslinked Polyurethane using" Azide-Alkyne" Click.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.): Chemical components and their effective clinical applications

Graphene oxide-covered melamine foam utilizing as a hybrid foam toward organic dye removal and recyclability

Fabrication and Characterization of Gelatin/Chitosan Hydrogel Membranes