[Power K-Women] 'Harmony Magician' Leading Multinational Scientists' Collaboration... "Respect for Diversity is the Key"

Kim Young-gi Named Next President of the American Physical Society

Editor's NoteOn October 19, Asia Economy selected 40 women from various fields at home and abroad as 'Power K-Women' at the '2022 Women Leaders Forum.' These women leaders have faced all kinds of barriers and boundaries such as gender, race, disability, and poverty, yet they did not yield to them but broke or transcended these boundaries to create new and universal values. Their stories will provide comfort to a weary world, serve as role models for someone, and give the community the strength to move forward again.

"First, find the scientific field you want to pursue and immerse yourself in research with passion and enjoyment."

The most prominent next-generation female scientist in the world. When asked what advice she would give to her juniors, Kim Young-ki, a distinguished professor at the University of Chicago in the United States and the first Korean elected president of the American Physical Society, replied with this.

In a written interview with Asia Economy, Professor Kim said, "Research that seeks answers to academic curiosity usually takes a long time and the journey is not always smooth. It must be something you want to do to endure it," adding, "It is important to try to enjoy the process of finding answers itself and to feel joy even when you gain a small piece of knowledge." She also emphasized the importance of a 'mentor.' She advised, "Ask the excellent people around you to be your mentors. Their advice, trust, and support are a great strength. And believe in yourself."

Professor Kim is a particle physicist exploring the 'secrets of the universe's creation.' She has distinguished herself with outstanding research achievements at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, one of the world's most renowned physics research institutions where top geniuses gather. Despite being a woman and a minority, she earned the trust and leadership recognition of her colleagues. In December last year, she was honored by being elected the next president of the American Physical Society, which has 50,000 members. Starting this year, she serves as vice president on the executive board and will serve in leadership roles for four years, including next year's president, 2024 president, and 2025 immediate past president.

Kim Young-ki, the next president of the American Physical Society (right), and Dr. Pierre Odone, a colleague at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

The president of the American Physical Society holds significant power, advising senior White House officials and members of the U.S. Congress on national science policy and influencing government research funding decisions. In the 123-year history of the society, she is the second Asian after Wu Zhenxiong of China in 1975 and the first Korean ever. In July, she was also elected president of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, playing a role in fostering camaraderie and identity among Korean-American scientists and serving as a bridge for scientific and technological exchange and cooperation between Korea and the U.S.

Standing at 155 cm with a small stature, as a woman and minority, how did Professor Kim gain recognition for her outstanding research achievements and leadership among her peers? She explained, "I think it is important to have foresight and knowledge and leadership that prioritizes the organization over personal gain," adding, "Leading many large and small research teams successfully, leading research institutes and departments successfully, doing my best as an advisor for various other research institutions, and working hard for several academic societies seem to have been the reasons."

When asked if she had ever felt barriers of discrimination in the U.S., she surprisingly answered calmly, "I have not experienced major setbacks." She said, "I think I have an activist temperament. I tried whatever I wanted to do as my heart told me, approached others with an outgoing, open, passionate, and positive energy, and I think that attitude toward life was effective."

As the next president of the American Physical Society, which gathers the world's top geniuses and intellectuals, she expressed her determination to actively address scientific and technological issues facing humanity, such as climate change. Professor Kim said, "25% of the American Physical Society members live outside the U.S. It was established 123 years ago to advance and disseminate knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the physics community," adding, "We plan to actively contribute expertise to national policy decisions with members on current global issues threatening the world, such as climate change, nuclear weapons, misinformation, and conflicts between countries, especially between the U.S. and China, support science-based policies grounded in facts, and educate the public." She continued, "We will also unite efforts to overcome important issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the physics community and strive to make the American Physical Society a model organization in diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Professor Kim is especially known as a 'magician of harmony' for successfully leading collaboration among diverse multinational scientists at institutions like Fermilab. The secret was respecting 'diversity and inclusion.' She said, "I believe in and value diversity and inclusion. Large experimental groups in particle physics require people with various expertise and serious discussion and cooperation among people from different backgrounds," adding, "Therefore, the presence of diversity and inclusion enhances research outcomes. I also tried to understand each individual's strengths and create conditions for them to best utilize their strengths."

Professor Kim Young-ki, the next president of the American Physical Society and a professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago, is holding his book.

With Korean-American scientists moving into the second and third generations, awareness of Korea and ethnic identity are gradually fading, so she plans to play a role as a link to her homeland through various activities. Professor Kim explained, "The Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, started about 50 years ago by first-generation Koreans, now has increasing numbers of 1.5 and second-generation members, and currently, next-generation members outnumber the first generation," adding, "The culture of 1.5 and second-generation Koreans differs from that of the first generation, and their future career goals also differ. We are aware of these differences and conduct various programs for the next generation every year, which we plan to strengthen further and promote more active information exchange and cooperation with Korea."

Professor Kim did not forget to give advice to the Korean scientific community. She emphasized that to properly develop as a science and technology powerhouse, it is necessary to establish a research ecosystem and activate international cooperation. Research fields and innovation in basic science, applied science, and technology must harmonize, and cooperation among universities, research institutes, companies, and government must be strengthened. Additionally, expanding international networks and global influence and accelerating scientific collaboration with partners worldwide are essential.

She also expressed regret that gender discrimination still exists in the Korean science and technology sector. Although authoritarianism and gender discrimination exist in Western science communities, including the U.S., she said it is more severe in Korea. She stated, "It is necessary to understand and practice the true meaning of diversity and inclusion," adding, "The U.S. also values this very much and is making efforts."

Kim Young-ki (59), Distinguished Professor of Physics, University of Chicago

▲ Born 1962 in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk ▲ Graduated from Korea University, Department of Physics, 1984 ▲ Ph.D. in Physics, University of Rochester, USA, 1990 ▲ Professor at UC Berkeley, 1996 ▲ Professor at University of Chicago, 2003 ▲ Co-leader of CDF experimental research group at Fermilab, 2004?2006 ▲ Deputy Director of Fermilab, 2006?2013 ▲ Chair of the Department of Physics, University of Chicago, 2016?2022 ▲ Chair of the Particle Physics Division, American Physical Society, 2020 ▲ Elected Vice President of the American Physical Society, September 2021; Vice President since 2022 ▲ Elected next President of the American Physical Society, December 2021; term starts 2024 ▲ President of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, July 2022?present ▲ Selected as one of '20 Young Scientists to Watch' by the American science magazine Discovery, 2000 ▲ Recipient of the Ho-Am Prize, 2005