Soonjo Hwang, MD, Director of Global Research at Department of Psychiatry, conducted a workshop at the Asian Center of the Seoul National University last month in Seoul, South Korea, as the psychiatry department’s research division continues to train medical students and research personnel across the globe.
On November 11, 2025, Dr. Hwang and Professor Kang Sung-Yong, head of the South Asia Center at Seoul National University’s Asia Research Institute, discussed the topic, “Can Indian traditions provide answers to modern mental health?” with a group of students and faculty at the institute.
“It went very well and was very well received,” said Dr. Hwang. “There was a lot of enthusiasm and interest.”
The workshop was covered by newspapers in South Korea.
Dr. Hwang said it was an honor to work with Dr. Kang.
“Dr. Kang is a renowned professor at Seoul National University, and we have been developing collaborating projects with great prospects,” Dr. Hwang said. “We already submitted (a grant proposal) to NCCIH in October 2024 and are preparing for a few more grant applications on both sides of South Korea and the U.S. He also has great connection with SK group, a company that makes semi-conductors, chemical products, and electronics, and there is a potential donation from SK for our project.”
Dr. Hwang specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry, especially pediatric population with disruptive mood and behavior disorders. He was named Research Director of the Department of Psychiatry in 2018 and Director of Global Research in November 2025. In his new role, he adds new tasks, which include coordination of international research and entrepreneurship opportunities, applications for extramural grant funding, and mentorship of international faculty, research staff, and learners.
In recent years, Dr. Hwang has played a pivotal role in building collaborations between UNMC and the South Korean medical device company Hippo T&C, the South Korean Ministry of Science, Information and Technology, and the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. He also continues his extensive work with Korea University, the National Institute of Alternative Medicine in Korea, and Seoul National University.