- TFOS global ambassadors and international chapter affiliate
South Korea
Choun-Ki Joo
Choun-Ki Joo is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of the Catholic Institute for Visual Science at the Catholic University of Korea and Ophthalmologist at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital Eye Center of Catholic University of Korea. Dr. Joo obtained a Ph.D. from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Catholic University of Korea and completed Postdoctoral fellowship in Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Washington University. His academic career started in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Catholic University, (Assistant Professor, 1991-1996; Associate Professor, 1996-2001) and then he became a tenured Full Professor in 2001. He served as Dean of the College of Medicine at the Catholic University of Korea from 2013 to 2017, a Chairman of Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea from 2005 to 2008, and Director of Seoul St. Mary’s hospital Eye Institute, The Catholic University of Korea from 2009 to 2013. His major scientific contribution is the identification of core networks of visual impairment through research of EMT, Apoptosis, Differentiation and Immune responses, Omics and developing novel technologies (Drug efficacy, Drug delivery, ocular tissue regeneration etc.) to prevent or to control visual impairment, which has led to authorship on over 396 scientific articles, 47 issued patents or pending in the areas of visual science. Recently, Dr. Joo’s research has been focusing on the development of potential therapies and diagnostic devices for external eye diseases including Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Evaporative Dry Eye. Professor Joo has acted as a subcommittee member for the TFOS, member of the Editor board of the International Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye Science and World Asia-Pacific, the Council Member of International Society of Refractive Surgery and American Academy of Ophthalmology, Vice President Asia-Pacific of International Society for Eye Research (ISER) and was the president of the Korean Optometry Society and the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS). He was invited to be a guest speaker and as Chairman at numerous international meetings on ophthalmology, immunology, stem cell, genetics, pharmacology and ophthalmic devices, and has served as President of The 5th Asia Cornea Society Biennial Scientific Meeting (2016 ACS). Dr. Joo has been awarded 118 research grants from Korean Government throughout his career and served as a preceptor for 30 postdoctoral fellows and 73 Master and Doctor’s course Advisor. He was also awarded High Technology-Order of Science and Technology Merit (Ungbi Medal), the Most Honorable Medical Doctor Award (Korean Medical Association), the Korea High Technology (The Premier Award) and Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Award (APAO).