Dr. Seung-Il Kim is a Professor of Breast Surgery at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. He obtained his M.D. degree from Yonsei University and received his Ph.D. from Korea University College of Medicine. After completing a fellowship at the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP, USA), he has devoted his career to clinical and translational breast cancer research, integrating surgical oncology with liquid biopsy and molecular diagnostics. Dr. Kim has published more than 190 peer-reviewed papers in the fields of surgical oncology and liquid biopsy, including publications in several high-impact journals. His research focuses on leveraging tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as platforms for both liquid biopsy and therapeutic innovation, with the goal of advancing precision oncology across the full continuum of cancer management--from molecular diagnosis to targeted therapy. He leads multidisciplinary translational research that unites surgical oncology, molecular biology, bioengineering, and nanomedicine to develop minimally invasive diagnostic strategies, predictive biomarkers, and EV-based therapeutic platforms that enhance precision and predictive medicine in breast cancer. Dr. Kim is also an inventor on several patents related to EV-based cancer diagnostics and microfluidic isolation technologies, reflecting his translational vision that bridges bench and bedside. As a surgeon-scientist committed to interdisciplinary collaboration, he works closely with clinicians, biologists, engineers, and data scientists to transform molecular discoveries into clinically actionable strategies. His ultimate goal is to advance precision and predictive medicine through the clinical implementation of next-generation liquid biopsy and EV-based innovations, improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer and beyond.
Dr. Young Kim is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. He obtained his Ph.D. in Medical Science from Yonsei University under the supervision of Professor Seung-Il Kim, with a dissertation titled "Clinical Significance of Liquid Biopsy through 5-miRNA Signature Profiling in Tumor-derived Extracellular Vesicles to Complement Breast Cancer Diagnosis." His research focuses on high-purity isolation and multi-omics profiling of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) for precision oncology and biomarker-driven patient stratification. While pursuing his doctoral training, Dr. Kim accumulated extensive experience in the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, engaging in analytical and clinical validation, quality management, and international regulatory approval. Serving as a Quality Management Representative (QMR) and Regulatory Affairs Specialist, he contributed to the establishment of good manufacturing practice (GMP) systems compliant with ISO 13485:2016 and alignment with global regulatory standards. This industry-based background cultivated his expertise in IVD regulatory science and provided a practical framework for translating innovative biomarkers into clinically applicable diagnostic platforms.
Dr. Kim's work bridges academic discovery and regulatory implementation, integrating industrial insight with scientific rigor. His current research explores the application of liquid biopsy to enable noninvasive, real-time cancer monitoring, emphasizing assay standardization, clinical validity, and translational feasibility. As a scientist positioned at the intersection of molecular oncology, diagnostics, and regulatory science, his long-term goal is to build globally harmonized frameworks that facilitate the clinical adoption of multi-analyte liquid biopsy technologies, ultimately advancing early detection, precision monitoring, and improved outcomes for patients with cancer.
