Could you please introduce yourself first, Dr. Kim?
Hello. My name is Hyunho Kim, and I am currently a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), a global toxicology research institute dedicated to ensuring public health and a safer society. I work in the Advanced Prediction Research Division, where my primary role is to develop AI-based models for evaluating hepatotoxicity in drugs or candidate compounds. Before joining KIT, I completed an integrated master’s and Ph.D. program under the guidance of Professor Ho-Jeong Nam in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). I graduated last August.

What kind of research have you primarily worked on?
Under the mentorship of Professor Ho-Jeong Nam at GIST’s Intelligent Bioinformatics Laboratory, I focused on developing AI technologies to accelerate drug discovery. Developing a single drug often involves a significant amount of trial and error, consuming astronomical amounts of time and resources. My research aimed to integrate computational and AI technologies into the drug discovery process to reduce experimental workloads and increase success rates. For instance, I developed AI models capable of predicting cardiotoxicity based solely on drug structure information and models to recommend personalized anticancer drug candidates tailored to individual characteristics.

Why did you choose bioinformatics and cheminformatics?
Although I majored in computer science as an undergraduate, I have been deeply interested in biology and chemistry since high school. During my undergraduate studies, I became intrigued by the idea of merging these disciplines with computer science. As graduation approached, I found myself yearning to pursue work with a more significant impact rather than becoming a cog in the corporate machine.
While exploring career options, I learned that bioinformatics and cheminformatics were rapidly growing fields due to advancements in computational power and the accumulation of data. I was captivated by the interdisciplinary nature of these fields and chose them as my graduate focus to study them in-depth. What continues to attract me to these fields is their potential to address global challenges, such as pandemics, and provide practical solutions for humanity's future struggles.

Why did you choose GIST?
When I was considering graduate school, GIST was relatively unfamiliar to me. However, after seeking advice from my undergraduate seniors and attending an open lab event, I gained valuable insights into the school. The beautiful campus and the robust support system for students were highly appealing. Most importantly, what drew me to GIST was the opportunity to conduct research in a lab that aligned perfectly with my passion.
The Intelligent Bioinformatics Laboratory, led by an exceptional professor and equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities, provided an ideal environment for me to plan my future and grow alongside inspiring peers. Looking back now as a graduate, I can confidently say that choosing GIST was one of the best decisions of my life. Even if I could turn back time, I would choose GIST again without hesitation.

What inspired you to become a researcher?
During my undergraduate years, I didn’t initially aspire to become a researcher. However, my experience volunteering in Africa as part of my military service made a profound impact. Helping others gave me a deep sense of fulfillment, which evolved into a desire to contribute to the world through science and technology.
My aspiration to work as a researcher in a government-funded institute stemmed from my desire to engage in impactful, large-scale research. While I conducted various research projects during graduate school, resource limitations often posed challenges. I wanted to collaborate with experts from diverse fields to address national-level challenges. This vision motivated me to pursue a career at a government research institute, and fortunately, I found a position that suited me perfectly. At KIT, I look forward to leveraging my expertise in AI modeling to collaborate with biologists and chemists to enhance our research capabilities.

What are you currently researching?
At KIT, I am conducting research on evaluating the safety and toxicity of chemical substances. My focus lies in understanding the variations in liver toxicity responses to drug administration among individuals.
For example, I am particularly interested in how genetic diversity influences the metabolic activity of liver enzymes in different people. Using AI, I aim to predict these individual differences in advance and identify their underlying causes. Ultimately, I hope to apply my findings to toxicity evaluation and experiment design in drug development, contributing to more efficient and safer drug discovery processes.

Can you share a rewarding experience from your research journey?
Research involves formulating and testing countless hypotheses, most of which fail. However, it is through these failures that our hypotheses become more refined and closer to reality. One of my most memorable moments was when, after numerous attempts, my experimental results perfectly aligned with my hypothesis for the first time. The joy of that moment is indescribable. It validated all the effort I had invested and reminded me of the immense satisfaction research can bring. Such experiences continue to fuel my resilience in the face of future challenges.

You mentioned facing numerous failures during your research. How did you persevere?
During my early graduate school years, I encountered significant challenges and failures in my research. To overcome these, I adopted several strategies. One of the most effective was ensuring I got enough sleep. Even when it felt difficult, prioritizing rest improved my focus and recovery significantly.
I also abandoned the habit of solving problems alone and started investing time in connecting with others. Initially, my tendency to tackle challenges in isolation left me feeling drained. However, spending time socializing, exercising, or simply chatting over coffee helped me regain a sense of balance and mental clarity. Maintaining both physical and emotional well-being was key to overcoming difficulties.

What are your future goals?
My ultimate goal is to drive meaningful advancements in fields like drug discovery, biological modeling, and toxicity evaluation using AI technologies. While these areas may currently attract less attention compared to other AI domains, I firmly believe the day will come when they play a vital role in drug development and life sciences. When that time comes, I hope to be remembered as a researcher who contributed significantly to this progress, even if not at the forefront.
Additionally, I aspire to continue enjoying my research journey. Rather than viewing work as merely a job, I want to cherish the process of discovery and achieve meaningful results while finding joy in what I do.

Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Research is a journey filled with failures, but it is by facing and overcoming those failures that we grow. While setbacks and disappointments can be tough, they are the foundation of tomorrow’s successes. I hope we can all approach failure with greater tolerance. Please remember, you’re not alone in facing failure—it’s an inherent part of every researcher’s journey. I encourage aspiring researchers to embrace these challenges and enjoy the process of growth.
Lastly, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Ho-Jeong Nam for guiding and inspiring me throughout my journey, helping me grow into the researcher I am today.