Sungho Jin

Sungho Jin is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he holds the Kazuo Iwama Endowed Chair in Materials Science. He joined UCSD in July 2002 after a distinguished career at Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies. His research is centered at the intersection of materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley (1974)
• Researcher, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
• Technical Manager, Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies
• Professor, UCSD (2002–present)

His research interests include nanomaterials, magnetic alloys and thin films, MEMS materials and devices, biomaterials, and energy materials. He has pioneered work in magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, silicon nanowires, and hybrid nanostructures for applications in data storage, drug delivery, and renewable energy. His group develops advanced nanofabrication techniques such as block copolymer lithography and electron beam patterning.

The 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent focus on functional nanomaterials for energy conversion (e.g., water splitting, solar cells), magnetic systems for recording and targeting, and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for drug delivery. Keywords across these works include nanomaterials, magnetism, photocatalysis, and nanomedicine, indicating a multidisciplinary approach bridging engineering, physics, and biomedicine.

• Elected to the National Academy of Engineering (1999)
• Top Ten Innovative Scientist, Business Week (1989)
• Nano 50 Award, Nanotech Briefs (2005)
• John Bardeen Award, TMS (2007)
• Fellow, Materials Research Society (2008)

Sungho Jin has advised numerous Ph.D. and Master’s students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His research has been supported by grants from federal agencies and industry partners, enabling extensive work in nanofabrication, magnetic materials, and biomedical applications. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in nanomaterials, magnetic materials, energy materials, and medical devices.

His research group includes postdoctoral scholars, visiting researchers, and a large cohort of graduate and undergraduate students, working across facilities such as the CMRR and EBU buildings at UCSD. The team focuses on developing next-generation materials for clean energy, medical diagnostics, and high-density data storage.