Researchers, clinicians, and engineers working at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and medicine got together once again this summer, and CCADD (Prof. Howard, David, Seeun) was there to join them. The occasion was the Conference on Health, Inference, and Learning (CHIL) 2026, a three-day gathering hosted in Seattle, Washington from June 28th through 30th.

Among a handful of research groups that were extended an invitation to the conference, Prof. Howard traveled together with his team Dr. David and Seeun. What made the trip especially meaningful this year was the publication of a paper from the lab, "Generation of Biingual Synthetic Clinical Notes for Realistic Data Augmentation," which the team unveiled to the community at the conference. Standing beside their poster, they walked visitors through the motivation and findings of the work, answering questions from curious attendees.

This year marked the seventh gathering of CHIL, jointly hosted by Sage Bionetworks and Seattle Children's Research Institute and hosted at the Institute's B. Wayne Hughes Building. As always, the program spanned a broad cross-section of issues shaping AI's role in healthcare. The conference opened with a keynote from Dr. Chris Longhurst, CEO of Seattle Children's, who spoke on "Evidence-based Medicine in the AI Era" and made the case for grounding AI adoption in real clinical implementation rather than hype. Dr. Pang Wei Koh followed with an invited talk on reinforcement learning approaches for deep research, and Dr. Jessilyn Dunn later delivered a keynote on wearable technology for disease detection titled "The Digital Physiome." A track devoted entirely to mental health also drew particular attention, weaving together talks on evaluating harm in AI safety, personalizing psychotherapy through language models, and building governance frameworks informed by practitioners, which were all capped off with a lively panel discussion.

For the team, the days in Seattle offered far more than a chance to share their research. They came away with new perspectives, new connections, and a renewed sense of how much further this field still has to grow.

Join us in congratulating David Seung U Lee on his successful graduation with a PhD in Medical Science!

On February 25, David attended the 80th Commencement Ceremony of Seoul National University (SNU), where he received his PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Howard Lee. He was also awarded with the Best Dissertation Award in recognition of his outstanding research achievements. His dissertation was entitled “Mechanistic Understanding and Prediction of Drug–Drug Interactions in Humans using LLM-Based Multimodal Explainable Framework”.

Dr. Lee is the first PhD graduate of CCADD, who received his degree in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University. He will continue his academic career at CCADD as a postdoctoral researcher, focusing on clinical natural language processing and artificial intelligence–based drug development.

On Friday, December 26, 2025, CCADD had the annual Year-End Workshop at Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. The workshop brought together all current CCADD members, part-time students and winter interns. Throughout a full day of presentations and discussions, CCADD members reflected on the year 2025 and looked ahead to 2026.

The workshop began with arrival and reception, followed by a series of presentations covering research progress, academic development, and practical lessons learned. As the first speaker, Seoyoon opened the program with a session titled “Looking Back on the Year 2025,” highlighting CCADD’s accomplishments in 2025 and celebrating the achievements of its members.

The yearly report was followed by Suhyun, who shared key takeaways from a year of full-time work at CCADD across two phases, from undergraduate research to the first semester of the master’s program. Then, Seeun presented “Preparation for the 1st Oral Presentation,” reflecting on her year-long research and walking through her conference-presentation preparation process. After that, Sunyoung delivered a presentation titled “Life in the Industry vs. Graduate School,” in which she introduced the role of a Clinical Project Leader at Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company highlighting key differences between life in industry and life as a master’s student. As the last session before lunch, David delivered a talk about the things he wished he had known early on, including having a daily habit of reading papers and making a usable personal template to take notes of what you learned from papers.

Following the morning sessions, participants took a break for lunch and then toured the main library at Seoul National University’s Gwanak Campus, exploring its study spaces, archives, and facilities. After the tour, members gathered for a photo time and captured group photos inspired by this year’s Pantone Color theme.

Soyoung presented “How I Learned Actually to Write” and explained what she learned while writing during the second half of 2025 under the supervision of Prof. Howard Lee. Then, Sungwook delivered a workshop talk titled “How I Became the Pre-crastinator at CCADD.” In the talk, he defined a “pre-crastinator” as someone who finishes tasks early and stays in the lab late to keep studying. It was followed by Chaeyoung, who shared her journey for the 2025 Google Solution Challenge, from ideation and development to presenting at the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines. She also reflected on pitching on an international stage and the lessons learned through receiving the award.

After a short break, the workshop continued with sessions focused on practical milestones and next-year planning. In the afternoon session, Seoyoon presented “First Grant Proposal: What I Learned and What I Wish I’d Known,” sharing key challenges and lessons from her first grant project management experience. In the tenth session, Yujin led “Looking Ahead to 2026 at CCADD,” presenting a vision for the center’s research trajectory in the coming year.  It also compiled target conferences for future submissions and concluded with a shared aspiration for deeper research in 2026.

Moreover, in the session, "AI 2027: Where we were, where we are, and where we will be", David went over the prospective report, "AI 2027," in which the authors made predictions on what will happen to the state of AI arms race between US and China. In addition to peeking into the future of AI, David emphasized the need for shifting gears toward using agentic AIs and understanding their inner workings by briefly discussing important developments in the field of agentic AI.

The most significant part of the workshop came in the closing talk, where Prof. Howard presented a paradigm shift from +AI to AI+. He contrasted a domain-first approach with an AI first approach and explaining how research strategy changes under an AI+ framework. He emphasized CCADD’s future direction toward AI-centered approach and proposed holding a “CCADD AI+ Conversion Meeting” in the early 2026 to brainstorm and define core research themes and strategies.

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Prof. Howard, and everyone gathered for dinner. The 2025 CCADD Year-End Workshop provided members with an opportunity to exchange ideas, reflect on progress, and align on shared goals for the year ahead.

CCADD members attended the 2025 Fall Conference of the Korean Society of Medical Informatics(KOSMI), held from November 23 to 24 at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. With the theme “Generative AI in Healthcare Systems: From Insight to Impact,” the conference showcased the latest developments, real-world applications, and future opportunities for generative AI in healthcare. Major sessions explored LLM evaluation, LLM-based clinical ation and validation, and AI-driven prediction of neurological disorders.

The conference featured keynote lectures from leading experts in Korea and Taiwan. Professor Sang-Hoon Jeon from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital discussed initiatives aimed at reducing global healthcare disparities, including the establishment of a Global Smart Hospital Network and the development of cloud-based platforms for clinician education and severe disease consultation. He emphasized that the key challenge is not merely how AI can reduce healthcare disparities, but how quickly high-quality medical services can reach those who are waiting for them. Professor Ming-Chin Lin from the College of Medicine at Taipei Medical University addressed the shared challenges facing both Korea and Taiwan—rapid population aging, declining birth rates, and increasing strain on healthcare professionals. He introduced Ambient Intelligence as the next evolution beyond ambient recording and traditional AI systems: a context-aware, ethically governed, sensor-integrated healthcare environment designed to support clinicians and empower patients.

More importantly, CCADD delivered five oral presentations.

David presented his work on “improving the performance of drug interaction prediction using conformal prediction”, which delved into a new method of selecting input for LLM-based prediction module using the statistical framework. 

Yujin presented her work on “Constructing a Domain-Specific Korean–English Parallel Corpus and Dictionary for Medical Translation Using a Large Language Model,” which aims to improve the reliability and consistency of LLM-based medical translation. By introducing a large-scale corpus construction framework, she provided foundational resources that can support future research in the field. During the session, she exchanged insights with reviewers and fellow researchers and explored ways to further expand and deepen the study.

Suhyun An presented her research on “Investigating LLM-based Reasoning and Training Strategies for automating causality assessment of adverse drug reactions”. Her study systematically explored optimal reasoning strategies and training methods to enable large language models to emulate the clinical decision-making process of medical experts.

Seoyoon Jang presented her work on "LLM-Based Extraction of Adverse Events from Real-World Clinical Notes", which leveraged open-source LLMs to build a privacy-preserving and robust framework capable of extracting adverse events from real-world clinical notes.

Seeun Park presented her work titled “Improving Synthetic Clinical Note Generation via Expert Prompting Reflecting Linguistic and Structural Characteristics”. Her research proposed a new synthetic data-augmentation framework that captures the characteristics of real-world clinical notes, demonstrating its potential to support large-scale, high-quality synthetic datasets for AI training.

Through this conference, CCADD members reaffirmed that their research aligns with the current interest in the generative AI, which will play a pivotal role in advancing the healthcare industry. The event strengthened our commitment to pursuing impactful research and contributing to the development of next-generation AI-driven healthcare systems.

Sunyoung Lee is a Master’s student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science (MMBS), Graduate School of Convergence Science, Seoul National University. She is a registered nurse who earned her nursing degree from Ajou University and gained clinical experience at Seoul National University Hospital. She later worked as a Clinical Project Leader at the Development Center of Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company and partook in the clinical research of Fexuprazan and URSA. With her growing interest in real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), she joined CCADD during the 2025 Summer Internship Program to further explore the field and develop her research competencies.

This summer, CCADD welcomes five interns - Minseop Yeom, Sungwook Choi, Sunyoung Lee, Soyoung Park and Chaeyoung Chang - for the 2025 Summer Internship Program.

Minseop Yeom is a student majoring in Biotechnology and Big Data Convergence at Sangmyung University. He is particularly interested in how artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied in clinical research and used to improve the efficiency of drug development systems. Through the CCADD internship, he hopes to gain hands-on experience in data-driven approaches to clinical development. This opportunity will serve as an essential step toward his long-term goal of becoming a researcher who contributes to advancing clinical processes and drug discovery through AI-based innovation.

Sungwook Choi is a student majoring in Software Engineering and Business Administration at Konkuk University. He previously worked as a part-time employee at Celltrion, where he developed an interest in biosimilars and clinical statistics. During the upcoming summer internship program, he aims to enhance efficiency in the drug development process and contribute to the development of manufacturing and analytical methods using AI.

Sunyoung Lee is a registered nurse who earned her nursing degree from Ajou University. She gained clinical experience at Seoul National University Hospital and later worked as a Clinical Project Leader at the Development Center of Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company. With a growing interest in real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), she joined the CCADD internship program to further explore and develop her research competencies.

Soyoung Park is an undergraduate at Hongik University, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering with a double major in Industrial Data Engineering. At the Artificial Intelligence & Application Lab (AIA Lab), she contributed to developing machine learning models for predicting rotator cuff re-tear and reoperation. Rather than feeding MRI images directly into models, she reviewed each scan to identify the tear site and consistently measured its size. She then structured the data for modeling. By integrating these imaging features with clinical variables, she built predictive datasets and became familiar with the challenges of working with RWD, such as missing values, inconsistent ation, and the need for clinical context. This experience led to her interest in RWD analysis and how it can support data-driven decision-making in medicine. Her current interests include RWD analysis, medical AI, and applying generative AI to clinical workflows. Through the CCADD internship, she hopes to gain practical experience in clinical data analysis and build a strong foundation for future research in drug development.

Chaeyoung Chang is an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry at Konkuk University, with a keen interest in integrating AI into drug development. She built foundational skills in data analysis through the K-Software Empowerment Bootcamp. Recently, she participated in the 2025 Google Solution Challenge, where her team developed an AI-powered emergency room matching service in the healthcare track. The team was selected among the global Top 10 and received the Most Societal Impact Award as one of the winners. She is now joining the CCADD internship to further explore AI-driven drug development and gain practical experience with real-world data.

During the 2025 summer internship, we hope interns continue to build confidence, stay curious, and actively engage in deepening their understanding of drug development and regulatory science with independence and passion.

On May 15th, CCADD members gathered for a Teacher’s Day dinner and expressed their appreciation to Prof. Howard. The event brought together CCADD members, graduate students, and student researchers in a warm and collegial setting. Despite the rainy weather, CCADD alumni—Dr. Siun Kim, Dr. Yoona Choi, and JungHyun Won—added a special significance to the evening and the lasting bonds formed within the lab. 

During the dinner, attendees shared updates on their research, academic experiences, and personal reflections. The most memorable moment of the evening was when the graduate students and CCADD members presented Prof. Howard with handwritten letters expressing appreciation and respect for Prof. Howard’s guidance. The messages conveyed sincere appreciation for Prof. Howard’s continued support. CCADD members’ letter included a quote that captured the spirit of Teacher's Day: “A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others.” Prof. Howard expressed heartfelt thanks.

The event provided an opportunity to welcome new members and recognize the ongoing contributions of current CCADD researchers. In addition, the event served as a meaningful moment to reconnect with CCADD alumni. Above all, the gathering was a chance to once again express sincere gratitude for Prof. Howard’s enduring mentorship and support. The evening was both meaningful and enjoyable for all who attended.

On Friday, December 27, 2024, the 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop was successfully held at the Seoul National University (SNU) Yongon Campus. The event was attended by Prof. Howard Lee, CCADD members, interns, and alumni. Notably, Research Professor Yoona Choi joined the event in person, while Prof. Asa Johansson and Dr. Tae Kyu Chung participated online, adding an international dimension to the program.

The workshop began with a brief icebreaking session, followed by a series of meaningful presentations. The first presenter, Yunjin Choi, shared her growth and learning experiences over the past six months in her presentation titled “The Serendipitous Road: Lessons from the Past 6 Months.” Next, Yujin Kim reflected on her first year as a graduate student, highlighting her research projects, achievements, and key takeaways. In the afternoon session, Junghyun Won provided a retrospective on her 4.5 years as a graduate student, offering valuable insights into the diverse experiences of graduate life.

The main session reviewed CCADD's accomplishments in 2024, celebrating the research group's growth and achievements. Prof. Howard Lee commended the group’s continued success in research and publications. The workshop then shifted its focus to 2025, with a session outlining a roadmap emphasizing emerging AI concepts and innovative research ideas aligned with the latest trends.

Three special lectures added depth and inspiration to the workshop. Dr. Tae Kyu Chung, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Francisco, delivered a lecture titled “Postdoc Diaries: A Glimpse of Life in the US,” offering a vivid account of his life and research abroad, which resonated strongly with the audience. Research Professor Yoona Choi reflected on her year as a research professor at Child Cancer and Rare Disease Project, Seoul National University Hospital. Her presentation detailed the challenges and achievements of her rigorous research journey, offering valuable insights for fellow researchers. Prof. Asa Johansson from Uppsala University delivered a lecture titled “Pharmacoepidemiology in the Era of Precision Health,” introducing the latest developments in precision medicine and pharmacoepidemiology. Her session provided an opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas with an international expert.

The workshop concluded with an inspiring speech by Prof. Howard Lee, who has been serving as the Dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at SNU. Prof. Lee praised CCADD's remarkable achievements throughout 2024 and expressed his strong support for the group’s ambitious goals in 2025. The 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop provided members and alumni with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their relationships, exchange ideas, and align on a shared vision for the journey ahead.

On May 30th, CCADD came together to celebrate Teacher's Day, creating a memorable evening for Prof. Howard, graduate students, and CCADD members. The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Hyun A Lee, Dr. Siun Kim, Dr. Yoona Choi, and Dr. Tae Kyu Chung, whose attendance added warmth and significance to the occasion.

The evening was enchanting, with a delightful dinner setting the stage for meaningful conversations. Attendees shared recent updates, discussed various research topics, and exchanged personal experiences. Both graduates and current students found inspiration and motivation in each other's stories, drawing strength from their shared journeys.

A heartfelt farewell for Dr. Tae Kyu Chung marked a special highlight of the event. As he prepares to start a new chapter as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Chung expressed his gratitude and hopes for future research endeavors. CCADD members honored Dr. Chung’s new journey with full hearts, celebrating his achievements and new beginning.

The gathering reaffirmed the strong bonds within CCADD and emphasized the importance of interaction and collaboration between alumni and current members. This event was more than just a meeting; it was a moment of growth, support, and envisioning a shared future. We hope such gatherings will continue, creating lasting and meaningful memories for all CCADD members.