5 Korean researchers named IAEA fellows

Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) President Lee Jin-kyung, left, poses with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi during a signing ceremony for their partnership at the Vienna International Centre, Austria, in November 2024. Courtesy of KIRAMS

The Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) said Friday that five graduate students in its academic programs had been selected for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, one of the agency’s flagship initiatives to support the development of women professionals in nuclear-related fields.

Four of the selected students are enrolled in the Graduate School of SeoulTech-KIRAMS Medical Sciences, a joint program run by Seoul National University of Science and Technology and KIRAMS.

The fifth student is from the UST-KIRAMS campus, a graduate program in radiation medical sciences run by the University of Science and Technology.

The fellowship supports women pursuing master’s degrees in nuclear science and technology, including radiation medicine. Recipients receive access to IAEA internships lasting six to 12 months, as well as international technical events and global networking opportunities.

KIRAMS said the selections reflect a structured pipeline it has built in cooperation with the IAEA, SeoulTech and UST, providing women medical scientists with an integrated development path from research participation during studies through international career opportunities.

"This is a case where our strategy for nurturing women scientists and engineers has borne fruit," said Lee Jin-kyung, president of KIRAMS.

"We will continue to actively support the global advancement and career development of women medical scientists through our cooperation with the IAEA."

KIRAMS has maintained a working arrangement with the IAEA since 2011 and was designated an IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre in November 2024, recognizing its role in strengthening radiation medicine capacity in developing countries.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.