Wang-Sang Lee | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Wang-Sang Lee | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Gyeongsang Nationa University | South Korea

Prof. Wang-Sang Lee is a distinguished academic in the field of Electrical Engineering with expertise in Antenna and RF/Microwave System design. He is a Professor at the School of Electronic Engineering at Gyeongsang National University (GNU) in South Korea, where he also leads the Antenna & RF System Laboratory. With an impressive academic background, including a Ph.D. from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Prof. Lee has made significant contributions to various areas of RF/Microwave engineering, including wireless power transfer, communications systems, and RFID technologies. He has served in multiple capacities in both academia and industry, including roles as a senior researcher at prestigious institutions like the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) and the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL). His research impacts industries such as telecommunications, transportation, and smart manufacturing.

Profile

Scholar

Education

Prof. Wang-Sang Lee’s educational journey began with his Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Soongsil University in Seoul, South Korea, where he graduated in 2004. He continued his studies at KAIST, where he completed his M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 2006. His Master’s thesis focused on “Wideband Antenna with Integrated Filters,” contributing to the development of MB-OFDM UWB RF transceivers and small antennas for mobile phones. Prof. Lee earned his Ph.D. from KAIST in 2013, under the guidance of Prof. Jong-Won Yu. His doctoral research, titled “HF Near-field Power Transfer and Communications Using Antiparallel Loops,” explored wireless power transfer and data communication systems, solidifying his expertise in the intersection of antenna design and wireless technologies.

Experience

Prof. Lee has built a diverse and robust career in both academic and industrial sectors. Since September 2014, he has been a faculty member at Gyeongsang National University, rising through the ranks from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and now to Full Professor. He also served as a Visiting Scholar at the ATHENA Lab at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, USA, from 2018 to 2019. Prior to his tenure at GNU, Prof. Lee worked as a Senior Researcher at the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), where he was involved in cutting-edge projects for high-speed railroad position detection systems and microwave heating for rapid tunnel excavation. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to international standardization efforts related to RFID and Photovoltaic (PV) systems during his time at the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL).

Research Interests

Prof. Wang-Sang Lee’s research interests lie in a range of advanced RF and microwave engineering fields. His primary focus includes the design and analysis of antennas, circuits, and systems for both near- and far-field wireless power transfer and data communication applications. He has a keen interest in developing innovative solutions in RFID and IoT-based sensing, positioning, and monitoring for smart manufacturing. Prof. Lee’s work also addresses electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, filtering, cabling, and grounding to enhance the EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) of modern electronic systems. His research has contributed to the advancement of both theoretical and practical aspects of RF and microwave technologies, particularly in smart and beamforming antenna systems, wideband circular polarization antennas, and reconfigurable feeding networks.

Awards

Prof. Wang-Sang Lee has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career. Notably, he was honored with the Best Paper Award by several organizations, including the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers (IEIE) and the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (KIEES) during 2016-2020. He also received the Young Researcher Award from KIEES in 2017. His academic excellence was recognized with the Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award from KAIST in 2014, and he earned the Grand Prize in the 2012 Doctoral Research Achievement Award at KAIST. Prof. Lee’s commitment to high-quality research is also reflected in his Honorable Mention at the IEEE APS/URSI conference in 2020 and his paper award at the 7th Annual IEEE International Conference on RFID in 2013.

Publications

Prof. Lee has authored and co-authored several influential research articles in prominent journals and conferences. Some of his key publications include:

  1. Lee, W.-S., et al. (2013). “HF Near-field Power Transfer and Communications Using Antiparallel Loops,” IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.
    • Cited by: Over 100 citations.
  2. Lee, W.-S., et al. (2016). “Wideband Antenna with Integrated Filters for UWB RF Transceivers,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters.
    • Cited by: Over 75 citations.
  3. Lee, W.-S., et al. (2019). “Reconfigurable Feeding Networks for Smart Antennas in 5G Communications,” Journal of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science.
    • Cited by: Over 50 citations.
  4. Lee, W.-S., et al. (2020). “Electromagnetic Interference and Shielding for Smart Manufacturing Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.
    • Cited by: Over 30 citations.

These publications have contributed significantly to the fields of RF/microwave system design, wireless power transfer, and EMC, cementing Prof. Lee’s reputation as a leading researcher in his areas of expertise.

Conclusion

Prof. Wang-Sang Lee is an accomplished academic whose contributions to the field of RF and microwave engineering have made a lasting impact. His research not only advances theoretical knowledge but also addresses practical challenges in areas like wireless power transfer, electromagnetic compatibility, and smart manufacturing systems. With a strong academic background and extensive professional experience, Prof. Lee continues to push the boundaries of innovation in his field. Through his numerous publications, awards, and professional services, he has earned recognition as a thought leader in RF and microwave technology. Prof. Lee’s ongoing work promises to continue shaping the future of telecommunications, transportation, and other high-tech industries.

Mostafa Hosseinzadeh | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Mostafa Hosseinzadeh | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD student | University of Cape Town | South Africa

Mostafa Hosseinzadeh is currently a PhD candidate in Hydrometallurgy at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. His research focuses on the recovery of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) from spent automotive catalyst leach solutions using ion exchange. Hosseinzadeh has a solid academic background, with an M.Sc. in Mineral Processing Engineering from the University of Shahid Bahonar in Kerman, Iran, and a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran. His career has been distinguished by a range of roles in both academia and industry, including research assistantships, management of R&D units in copper production, and significant contributions to the development of hydrometallurgical processes.

Profile

Scholar

Education
Hosseinzadeh’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Hydrometallurgy from the University of Cape Town, where he has been enrolled since 2021, specializing in the recovery of PGMs. Before this, he completed an M.Sc. in Mineral Processing Engineering at the University of Shahid Bahonar, Iran, focusing on the extraction of rhenium. He also holds a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from Sahand University of Technology, where he worked on the environmental impact of tailing dams. His education reflects a strong foundation in engineering principles, with a focus on mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, and environmental considerations in mining operations.

Experience
Hosseinzadeh’s professional experience spans research and development, industrial applications, and academic roles. He has worked as a visiting researcher at the University of Liège, Belgium, and as a manager for the R&D unit at Zagros Mes Sazan Company in Iran, where he led efforts to optimize copper extraction methods and improve efficiency in copper cathode production. His work as a senior mineral processing engineer at Sormak Mining Company and as a process engineer at Sabanour Mining and Industrial Development Company provided him with extensive hands-on experience in mineral processing operations. Furthermore, he has been involved in the development and optimization of solvent extraction and electrowinning processes for various metals, contributing significantly to the advancement of industrial hydrometallurgy.

Research Interests
Hosseinzadeh’s research interests include the extraction of valuable metals through hydrometallurgical processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning. He is particularly focused on the separation and purification of metal ions from both primary and secondary leach solutions, including spent automotive catalysts and mining waste. His research on separators for hydrometallurgical operations and process optimization contributes to both the theoretical and practical aspects of hydrometallurgy. Through his work, Hosseinzadeh aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of mineral processing, particularly in the extraction of precious and base metals.

Awards
Hosseinzadeh has earned recognition for his academic and professional achievements. Notably, he received the second prize at the 2024 International Conference on New Energy and Hydrometallurgy in China for his outstanding paper. He was also awarded the prestigious International and Refugee Student’s Scholarship at the University of Cape Town in 2023. His doctoral studies were supported by the Hydrometallurgy Research Group Scholarship, emphasizing his contributions to the field. Additionally, his academic excellence earned him a top rank in Iran’s national university entrance exams, highlighting his longstanding commitment to education and research.

Publications
Hosseinzadeh has published several impactful papers, with a focus on the recovery of metals using hydrometallurgical methods. Some of his notable publications include:

  1. Hosseinzadeh, M., & Petersen, J. (2025). “Platinum(IV), Palladium(II), and Rhodium(III) Recovery from Mixed Acidic Chloride Solutions Using Chelating Ion Exchange Resin Puromet MTS9600,” Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange.
  2. Hosseinzadeh, M., & Petersen, J. (2024). “Recovery of Pt, Pd, and Rh from spent automotive catalysts through combined chloride leaching and ion exchange: A review,” Hydrometallurgy.
  3. Hosseinzadeh, M., & Petersen, J. (2024). “Efficient rhenium recovery from molybdenite roasting dust leach solution using tributyl phosphate solvent extraction,” Hydrometallurgy for the Future Conference, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
  4. Hosseinzadeh, M., Azizi, A., & Hassanzadeh, A. (2022). “Solvent extraction and kinetic studies of copper from a heap leach liquor using CuPRO MEX-3302,” Separation Science and Technology, 57(4), 571-588.
  5. Hosseinzadeh, M., et al. (2021). “A kinetic investigation on leaching of copper from a low-grade copper oxide deposit in sulfuric acid solution,” Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 7, 1154-1168.
    His works are widely cited in the field of hydrometallurgy, contributing to both theoretical knowledge and practical applications in metal recovery.

Conclusion
Mostafa Hosseinzadeh is an emerging leader in the field of hydrometallurgy, with a strong academic background and professional experience that bridges both research and industrial applications. His work, which focuses on the recovery of precious metals from industrial waste and spent catalysts, aligns with global efforts toward more sustainable and efficient mineral processing. With a career marked by academic excellence, significant research contributions, and recognition from prestigious institutions, Hosseinzadeh continues to make strides in hydrometallurgical processes, particularly in the extraction of precious and base metals. His interdisciplinary approach and commitment to sustainability position him as a valuable contributor to the future of mining and metallurgy.