This summer, CCADD welcomes three interns-Kim Chanmin, Choi Yunjin, and Yoo Kyungwan -for the 2024 Summer Internship Program.

Kyungwan Yoo, a student at Kyung Hee University, earned his Bachelor’s degree in genetic engineering. He worked as an undergraduate researcher at the Kyung Hee University Regenerative Medicine Institute, focusing on creating cell-targeting treatments. Currently, he is interested in integrating biological science with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and applying it to drug development. Kyungwan applied for the 2024 CCADD Summer Internship Program to expand his knowledge of drug development in general, be it clinical trials, and/or utilizing medical big data. He also intends to gain practical experiences in applying programming languages to these domains.

Yunjin Choi has graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After graduating, Yunjin worked as a statistical analyst at the Biomedical Research Institute, Korea University Guro Hospital. She has mainly conducted retrospective studies on nephrology and neurology. For example, she published a paper entitled "Fasting glucose variability and risk of dementia in Parkinson's disease: a 9-year longitudinal follow-up study of a nationwide cohort", which examined the impact of fasting glucose variability on the risk of developing dementia in Parkinson's disease patients over a nine-year period. The study found that greater variability in fasting glucose levels was associated with a higher risk of dementia, further suggesting that stabilizing glucose levels might be beneficial for cognitive health in these patients. Besides being the first author of the study, she was also responsible for data analysis and interpretation, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the study results. She also has the opportunity to learn how to draft and revise the manu and enhance its scientific merit. During this time, Yunjin developed an interest in Real-World Data (RWD), such as electronic medical records (EMR). She intends to pursue her interest while at CCADD.

Chanmin Kim is a Biological Engineering major at Kangwon National University. She became interested in developing new drugs while learning drug delivery systems. She also completed GMP training. After receiving the Excellence Award for designing smart healthcare products at Gachon University's DNA (Data, Network, AI) School Camp , she became interested in improving the efficiency of developing new drugs by applying data science and AI. Her goal is to become a researcher in the development of new drugs using AI. Through her 2024 CCADD summer internship program, she will pursue this goal.

We hope that during their summer internship, they will gain confidence in their field of study, learn how to study independently and explore new knowledge, and devote all their passion to gaining a deep understanding of drug development and regulatory science over the course of these two months.

Professor Howard and David attended the 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). It was held from June 21 to 24 in Orlando, Florida, hosting experts in diabetes research from all over the world. The event brought together leading scientists, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to discuss critical issues, including advancements in diabetes technology. It also showcased cutting-edge research and innovations in diabetes treatment and management, ranging from obesity and GLP-1 receptor agonists to autoantibody testing and early diabetes detection.

The event also provided a memorable venue for Prof. Howard and David, where they presented their work on “Developing Machine Learning Model for Predicting Acute Coronary Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients through Substitution of Propensity Scores for Binary Variables”. During the poster presentation session, questions were asked and answered, ideas were exchanged, and constructive comments were offered. The event, along with the opportunity to present the work, paved the way for improving the study and provided a valuable experience to learn from world-renowned researchers.

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.

On May 13th, under a brilliant and clear sky, CCADD in Gwanggyo held a special event to celebrate Teacher's Day. This heartfelt gathering brought together Prof. Howard, CCADD members, and student researchers, all united in gratitude and admiration.

A board adorned with photos chronicling the history of CCADD and heartfelt messages of thanks captured the cherished moments. A cake featuring Prof. Howard, accompanied by flowers, was presented as a token of appreciation for his unwavering dedication and support. Sincere letters expressed deep gratitude for the professor's commitment and encouragement. Laughter filled the room during dinner as members recounted stories from their time together, fostering trust and camaraderie. The professor praised the students' efforts and passion, encouraging everyone to continue striving towards greater goals.

This Teacher's Day event provided an opportunity for the professor and lab members to grow closer, promising a positive impact on future research activities. It was a testament to the warm and harmonious atmosphere of CCADD, offering a meaningful moment to express deep respect and gratitude to Prof. Howard. Beyond a simple celebration, it was a significant occasion to strengthen the unity of the entire lab and pledge future achievements.

Prof. Howard’s heartfelt words perfectly captured the essence of this 2024 Teacher's Day: "There are many professors out there, but I am made to be more than those simply because of you. Truly, each and every one of you is my hero and heroine, and I feel indebted that you have guided me to become who I am."

Choi Y, Kim BK, Won JH, Yoo JW, Choi W, Jung S, Kim JY, Choi IY, Chung NG, Lee JW, Choi JY, Kang HJ, Lee H. A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of Prephase Steroid Treatment before Remission Induction Chemotherapy in Patients with Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using Common Data Model-Based Real-World Data: A Retrospective Observational Study. Clin Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 22;16:293-304. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S454263. PMID: 38681782; PMCID: PMC11049150.