POSTECH professor wins scientist award

Han Wook-shin

By Lee Hyo-sik

A computer science professor at POSTECH has been selected as the scientist of the month for his extensive research on database processing, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said Thursday.

Han Wook-shin, a professor at POSTECH’s future IT innovation laboratory, won the scientist of the month award for August, jointly conferred by the ministry and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

Han was credited for developing the “Turbo Graphic,” an innovative tool for processing mass data, raising Korea’s academic profile in the area of database processing.

The ministry said the Turbo Graphic can be used widely to process graphic-based data on social media, as well as in computing, medical, marketing and other areas of business to derive commercially valuable outputs.

The professor also developed a new technique enabling graphic calculation to be done faster. For instance, it enables one computer to complete the calculation, while conventional methods require about 100 companies to do the same amount of work, the ministry said.

“I will develop advanced analytic tools to more efficiently process mass data and play a role in turning Korea into a software powerhouse,” Han said.