Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Climate, Environment and Energy Convergence master's student Kyu-hyun Han (supervisor Professor Seongwook Jin) demonstrated his research capability by receiving an Excellence in Paper Presentation Award at a conference in the field of groundwater and soil environment.

At the recent "2026 Spring Conference of the Korean Society of Groundwater and Soil Environment," Han presented a paper titled "Evaluation of Detection Thresholds for Seawater Impact in Synthetic Seawater Intrusion Data Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models" and received the Excellence in Paper Presentation Award in the poster category.

The core of this study was to derive detection thresholds for seawater influence in synthetic seawater intrusion data through deep-learning-based analysis and, based on these thresholds, to identify nationwide groundwater monitoring wells suspected of seawater influence.

It received academic recognition for proposing a primary methodology capable of determining the presence of seawater intrusion in aquifers.

The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for future seawater intrusion monitoring and the establishment of groundwater management policies.

Master's student Kyu-hyun Han said, "I am grateful to Professor Seongwook Jin for his meticulous guidance throughout the research and to my colleagues in the Applied Environmental Geology Research Laboratory. I will use this award as an opportunity to pursue deeper research and grow into a researcher who contributes to the academic community."