Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Environmental and Energy Convergence doctoral student Ui-jong Lee (supervising Professor In-a Seo) received the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award at the 2025 Autumn Meeting of The Geological Society of Korea held recently. 

Lee presented research clarifying the link between the grain-size distribution and sorting of deep-sea clays in the northwestern Pacific and the enrichment characteristics of rare-earth elements, earning high praise.

In particular, his integrative interpretation of the physical and geochemical indicators of deep-sea sediments to explain the mechanisms of rare-earth element enrichment drew academic attention. 

Lee said, "I am grateful to Professor In-a Seo and the members of the laboratory for their advice and support during the research," and added, "Building on this award, I intend to pursue more in-depth deep-seafloor research that integrates paleoceanographic and resource-geological perspectives."