Keon-Hyoung Song | Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Keon-Hyoung Song | Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | Best Researcher Award

Soonchunhyang University | South Korea

Prof. Dr. Keon-Hyoung Song is a distinguished researcher whose work bridges pharmaceutical sciences, drug delivery systems, and pharmacokinetics. With 708 citations, 27 scholarly publications, and an h-index of 13, his research has significantly advanced the understanding of membrane permeation enhancers, drug formulation, and solubilization strategies. His extensive portfolio includes high-impact studies on intestinal absorption mechanisms, cocrystal engineering, and pharmacokinetic optimization, published in reputed journals such as Pharmaceutics, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Journal of Controlled Release. Prof. Song’s innovations extend beyond academia, with over 25 international patents registered across the U.S., Europe, and Korea, focusing on permeation-enhancing peptides, liposomal carriers, and pharmaceutical formulations. His pioneering patents, including those on mucous membrane permeation peptides (EP 3875103, 2025) and sugar alcohol-based liposome compositions, underscore his role in translating laboratory discoveries into therapeutic applications. Licensed as both a Patent Attorney and a Pharmacist, he effectively integrates regulatory insight with scientific innovation. Prof. Song’s sustained contributions to quantitative drug analysis using LC-MS and formulation optimization have made him a leading figure in advancing next-generation drug delivery technologies and pharmaceutical development.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Jeong, D.-H., Kim, J.-W., & Song, K.-H. (2025). Improved intestinal permeation of cyclosporin A by FCIGRL-modified tight junction modulator in rats. Pharmaceutics, 17(11), 1395.

Park, G., Galdamez, A., Song, K.-H., Le, M., Kim, K., & Lin, J. H. (2024). Ethnic variation and structure–function analysis of tauopathy-associated PERK alleles. Israel Journal of Chemistry, 64(12).

Song, K.-H. (2024). Effect of tight junction-modulating FCIGRL-modified peptides on the intestinal absorption of doxorubicin in rats. Pharmaceutics, 16(5), 650.

Jiang, F.-L., Jeong, D.-H., Eom, S.-H., Lee, H.-M., Cha, B.-J., Park, J.-S., Kwon, R.-K., Nam, J.-Y., Yu, H.-S., Heo, S.-H., Kim, C.-H., & Song, K.-H. (2024). Effects of enteric-coated formulation of sodium bicarbonate on bicarbonate absorption and gastrointestinal discomfort. Nutrients, 16(5), 744.

Koo, N. R., Yoon, S., Song, K.-H., Baek, M. J., Jeon, S., & Im, J. (2024). Tumor-homing peptide iRGD-conjugate enhances tumor accumulation of camptothecin for colon cancer therapy. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 265, 116050.

Park, G., Xu, K., Chea, L., Kim, K., Safarta, L., Song, K.-H., Wu, J., Park, S., Min, H., Hiramatsu, N., Han, J., & Lin, J. H. (2023). Neurodegeneration risk factor EIF2AK3 (PERK) influences tau protein aggregation. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 299(2), 102821.

Eom, Y. S., Jeong, D., Ryu, A.-R., Song, K.-H., Im, D. S., & Lee, M.-Y. (2022). Daphne odora exerts depigmenting effects via inhibiting CREB/MITF and activating AKT/ERK-signaling pathways. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 44(8), 3312–3323.

Kim, H., Song, K.-H., Ambegaonkar, J. P., Chung, S., Jeon, K., Jiang, F. L., Eom, J. J., & Kim, C.-H. (2022). Two-megahertz impedance index prediction equation for appendicular lean mass in Korean older people. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 385.

Jiang, F., Tang, S., Eom, J.-J., Song, K.-H., Kim, H., Chung, S., & Kim, C.-H. (2022). Accuracy of estimated bioimpedance parameters with octapolar segmental bioimpedance analysis. Sensors, 22(7), 2681.

Yoon, Y. M., Lee, J. H., Song, K.-H., Noh, H., & Lee, S. H. (2020). Melatonin-stimulated exosomes enhance the regenerative potential of chronic kidney disease-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells via cellular prion proteins. Journal of Pineal Research, 68(3), e12632.

Lee, J. H., Yoon, Y. M., Song, K.-H., Noh, H., & Lee, S. H. (2020). Melatonin suppresses senescence-derived mitochondrial dysfunction in mesenchymal stem cells via the HSPA1L-mitophagy pathway. Aging Cell, 19(3), e13111.

Cha, S. J., Choi, H.-J., Kim, H.-J., Choi, E. J., Song, K.-H., Im, D. S., & Kim, K. (2020). Parkin expression reverses mitochondrial dysfunction in fused in sarcoma-induced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Insect Molecular Biology, 29(1), 56–65.*

Kazuto Ikemoto | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kazuto Ikemoto | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company | Japan

Dr. Kazuto Ikemoto is a distinguished researcher and Senior Scientist at the Niigata Research Laboratory of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., Japan. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Nagasaki University, he has made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry, food functionality, biotechnology, and semiconductor cleaning technologies. His extensive research portfolio includes 25 published documents, reflecting a deep engagement in both industrial and scientific innovation. Dr. Ikemoto’s scholarly influence is evidenced by 453 citations from 291 documents and an h-index of 13, underscoring the consistent impact of his research within the scientific community. His work bridges fundamental chemistry with practical industrial applications, advancing methodologies in material science and biochemical processes. Recognized for his outstanding achievements in corporate research, Dr. Ikemoto received the prestigious JSBBA Award for Corporate Researchers in 2023, highlighting his dedication to innovation and excellence. Through his pioneering studies and leadership at Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, he continues to drive advancements that contribute to technological development and sustainability, reinforcing his reputation as a leading figure in applied chemical research and industrial biotechnology.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Koshizawa, T., Numaguchi, T., Tamakoshi, M., Sato, Y., Hashimoto, K., Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). High-spermidine-producing yeast strain for autophagy-promoting applications. Processes.

Koshizawa, T., Numaguchi, T., Tamakoshi, M., Sato, Y., Hashimoto, K., Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). High-spermidine-producing yeast strain for autophagy-promoting applications [Preprint].

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). Direct HPLC method for reduced pyrroloquinoline quinone in functional and biological matrices [Preprint].

Sugimoto, J., Ikemoto, K., Nagamatsu, K., Mino, A., & Nakamura, F. (2025). ピロロキノリンキノンジナトリウム(PQQ)摂取後の20から65歳の健康な大人に対する認知機能と安全性の評価 [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Ikemoto, K. (2025). 長寿物質(老化を抑制する物質) [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Tamakoshi, M., Suzuki, T., Nishihara, E., Nakamura, S., & Ikemoto, K. (2023). Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults. Food & Function.

Ikemoto, K., Imaruoka, S., & Mohamad Ishak, N. S. (2023). From the kitchen to the lab: Discovery and application of food catalysts to promote the coupling of quinone with amines [Preprint].

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., Numaguchi, T., & Ikemoto, K. (2023). Antiviral effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone through redox catalysis to prevent coronavirus infection. ACS Omega.

Tsuji, S., Ikemoto, K., & Akagawa, M. (2022). PQQの体脂肪減少機能 [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., Ikemoto, K., Kikuchi, M., Ogawa, M., Akutagawa, K., & Akagawa, M. (2021). Pyrroloquinoline quinone attenuates fat accumulation in obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, Daphnia magna supplied with a high amount of food, and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. ACS Food Science & Technology.

Saihara, K., Kamikubo, R., Ikemoto, K., Uchida, K., & Akagawa, M. (2017). Pyrroloquinoline quinone, a redox-active o-quinone, stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. Biochemistry.

Ikemoto, K., Sakamoto, Y., Tanaka, R., Ogata, K., Matsushita, N., & Nakamura, S. (2017). Unusual ionic bond and solubility mechanism of NanPQQ (n = 0–4) crystals. Crystal Growth & Design.