- Chosen by all 21 member economies as the region’s top researcher under 40
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyunghoon) and the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) announced on July 23, 2025 that Professor Baek Min-kyung (born 1990) of Seoul National University has been named the winner of the 2025 APEC ASPIRE Prize (APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education). She is the first Korean to receive the honour since Prof. Kug Jong-seong won in 2015 for his El Niño prediction model.
* APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is a forum of 21 economies—Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Viet Nam—established to promote economic growth, free trade and mutual cooperation in the region.
The ASPIRE Prize is awarded each year to a single scientist under the age of 40 who has achieved innovative research results through international collaboration within the APEC region. The winner is chosen by a vote of all 21 member economies on the basis of (i) excellence in scholarly outputs, (ii) collaboration with scientists across APEC, and (iii) contributions to a resilient and sustainable environment through inclusive science, technology and innovation.
This year’s competition was held under the theme “Toward AI–BIO Convergence: AI-Based Biotechnology Solving Social Challenges.” With Korea set to host APEC 2025, this year’s theme highlights the socio-economic value of emerging technologies—especially the power of AI-driven life sciences to tackle pressing global issues.
Professor Baek Min-kyung is a world- renowned expert in protein-structure prediction and a core developer—with 2024 Nobel Chemistry laureate David Baker of the University of Washington—of RoseTTAFold, an AI-powered tool for protein-structure prediction, which Science magazine named its 2021 Breakthrough of the Year.
Determining protein structure is essential for understanding disease mechanisms and every step of drug discovery, yet traditional experimental methods can take months to decades. Prof. Baek’s AI-based research makes it possible to decode single-protein structures quickly and accurately, opening a new era for life-science research and drug development. She is now extending her work, together with an AI company, to the prediction of multi-protein complexes.
Prof. Baek said, “I was drawn to protein-structure prediction because I enjoy research that has a real-life impact, which aligns with APEC’s vision of inclusive science. Science thrives on connecting diverse ideas. I hope young Korean researchers, myself included, will gain more opportunities to interact and collaborate with colleagues and experts throughout the APEC region.”
Minister Bae Kyunghoon commented, “We are delighted that this outstanding young Korean scientist has received the APEC ASPIRE Prize. We will continue to nurture young talent in AI and life sciences—strategic pillars that will transform daily life and drive national growth—and help them shine on the global stage.”
The prize will be presented on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Songdo, Incheon, at a ceremony co-hosted by MSIT and APEC PPSTI. The laureate will receive US $25,000 (approximately KRW 33 million).
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
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