PARK Jung-bin

Seoul National University awarded graduate student PARK Jung-bin (Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences) the ‘Role Model Award’. While doing volunteer community service with elderly patients afflicted with dementia, PARK Jung-bin was deeply affected by the pain of those who were given injection shots, and was determined to invent a syringe that would be less painful.

Last year, PARK Jung-bin, while doing health screening, noticed that the patients receiving vaccination shots were in agony due to the cross-shaped hub of the disposable syringes. The hub of the syringe, typically angled at fifteen degrees, would cause pain by making sharp contact with the skin. To avoid this, PARK Jung-bin invented a syringe with a streamlined, round hub that reduced the friction and prevented sharp contact.

Pain-relief syringe

With this invention, Park Jung-bin won the grand prize of the University Creative Invention competition by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity. This year PARK Jung-bin went on to patent his invention. He stated, “From last April to November, I pricked myself several times with different attempts of a pain-relief syringe but I was determined to continue with hopes of alleviating the pain of people.”

PARK Jung-bin has been carrying out voluntary community service since 2013 in nursing homes for the elderly and day care centers. He regularly takes photographs of dementia patients in an effort to lift their spirits. Through the photos he hopes to capture and preserve their moments of happiness.

PARK Jung-bin has stated that his dream is to ensure a healthy aging society with the establishment of appropriate medical policies. He also revealed his desire to improve the lives of the elderly through research. PARK Jung-bin said, “The quality of life is especially susceptible to hitting rock bottom due to depression and dementia. Through research in my field of brain and cognitive sciences, I hope to come up with a solution to this problem of aging and its associated afflictions.”

Written by JUN Taehoon, SNU English Editor, taehoonjun@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr