A mathematical genius alumna CHOI Seo-hyeon ('2004, Dept. of Mathematical Sciences) was appointed as the youngest professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) at her age of 26.

It is very unusual that a top university like KAIST hires a tenure-track professor who doesn't have post-doctorate experience nor a paper published in SCI journal.

Kim Dong-su, Head of KAIST’s mathematical science department, who found Choi and hired her said, “We hired her because of her potential, not because of her achievements. It is too early to evaluate Choi’s academic achievement, but her potential is intriguing. Choi is a mathematician who studies the latest issues of number theory.”

Choi was a math genius since she was a high school student. She won two gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad, one in Romania in 1999 and another in Korea in 2000, when she attended Seoul Science High School.

After entered SNU in 2001, she graduated from Dept. of Mathematical Sciences in three and a half years. She went on to Harvard University and earned master's degree and doctorate in just five years.

When asked about her plan, she said “I’m nervous over teaching students at KAIST but I also feel excited.I hope students trouble me with many questions. Students will think about what they really want while asking questions and struggling to find answers.”, according to a press interview.

July 24, 2009
SNU PR Office