Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Environment and Energy Convergence PhD candidate Eui-jong Lee (supervisor Professor In-ah Seo) was recognized for excellence in research on deep-sea rare earth resources and received the "2025 Graduate Student Excellent Paper Award in Resource Development (President's Award, Korea Mine Reclamation and Mining Corporation)."

At this academic conference, the PhD candidate presented a paper titled "Distribution and Research Status of Rare Earth Elements in Deep-Sea Sediments." The paper was highly evaluated for comprehensively summarizing the distribution characteristics and research trends of deep-sea rare earth resources and for academically proposing future possibilities for resource exploration and utilization as well as directions for further research.

In particular, the paper systematically summarized the spatial distribution of rare earth elements in deep-sea sediments—centered on the Pacific Ocean—the principal host minerals, and the enrichment mechanisms. It interpreted these findings in relation to large-scale ocean environmental changes and deep-sea resource formation processes, earning recognition for both academic and practical value.

Eui-jong Lee expressed gratitude to Professor In-ah Seo for her ongoing guidance and advice during the research, and stated, "This award provided an opportunity to review the research I have compiled so far and to expand future research directions. I plan to continue studies that address both deep-sea environmental changes and the processes of deep-sea resource formation."