Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) G-Lamp Project Group has produced 'G-LAMP Young Star' recipients in both the first and second halves of this year, continuing its achievements in nurturing next-generation basic science research talent.

JBNU G-Lamp Project Group announced on the 15th that Dr. Chandran Bhagavath, affiliated with the Institute for Basic Materials and Energy Sciences (supervising Professor Ra Yong-ho), was selected for the '2026 Second Half University Basic Research Institute Support Program (G-LAMP) Young Star' organized by the National Research Foundation of Korea and received the Chairperson's Award. This is the second selection this year, following doctoral student Oh Jeong-gyun of the Division of Advanced Materials Engineering in the first half.

The 'G-LAMP Young Star' is an award program that recognizes and rewards outstanding young scientists among postdoctoral researchers and master's and doctoral candidates participating in the University Basic Research Institute Support Program.

Dr. Chandran Bhagavath has participated in the G-LAMP project since September 2025, conducting research on eco-friendly hydrogen production and energy conversion using Group-III nitride (III-nitride)-based semiconductor nanostructures. His research has expanded from materials design grounded in basic science to the potential application of these materials in practical energy technologies.

Through this work, he demonstrated his research capabilities by publishing four papers as first or co-author, including a lead-author article in the top-tier international journal Journal of Carbon Energy (IF 21.5, JCR Top 3.4%).

He also expanded collaborative networks through domestic and international joint research. During his participation in the project, he conducted international collaborative research with four institutions across four countries, including IMDEA in Spain, and broadened the scope of his research through collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) domestically.

Dr. Chandran Bhagavath stated, “I want to advance my research so that the results obtained from basic science can lead to practical solutions for energy problems. I hope to contribute to the large-scale commercialization of semiconductor-based renewable energy technologies and, ultimately, help address the global energy crisis.”

Lee Jeong-hwan, Director of the JBNU G-Lamp Project Group, said, “Producing Young Star recipients consecutively in the first and second halves of the year is a meaningful achievement made possible by the sustained efforts of young researchers and the project group's research support. We will continue to actively support the development of next-generation researchers so they can build capacity through domestic and international research collaboration and grow into leaders in the field of basic science.”