김상규

Dr. Sang-Gyu Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST, leading the Laboratory for Molecular Ecology (EcoLab) since its establishment in 2017. His research bridges molecular biology and ecology to investigate plant chemical defense mechanisms against herbivores and pollinator attraction strategies.

Research focuses on plant-insect interactions, specializing in the biosynthesis of defensive metabolites and floral volatiles. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing, metabolic engineering, and field ecology across diverse environments from Korean farmlands to the Great Basin Desert. Key model systems include Nicotiana attenuata and Arabidopsis thaliana.

Recent publications reveal breakthroughs in:

• Herbivore-induced GABA signaling pathways (2025)
• MYC transcription factor networks in stem defense (2025)
• Multimodal pollination strategies in Aristolochiaceae (2025)

These demonstrate his lab's leadership in connecting molecular mechanisms to ecological functions.

Award highlights:

• Korean Society of Ecology Outstanding Paper Award (2022)
• Best Poster Presentation Award (2020)

Mentorship excellence is evidenced by 15+ PhD/Master's students including Kang Moonyoung (2023), Choi Yuri (2024), and Song Junyong (2022), with ongoing collaborations across KAIST, Seoul National University, and international polar research institutes. Current fieldwork spans Brunei, Jeju Island, and Bulgoksan Mountain for volatile collection and ecological validation.