Prof. Dr. Ju Seok Ryu | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital  | South Korea

Professor Ju Seok Ryu is a distinguished clinician–scientist and internationally recognized authority in rehabilitation medicine, with seminal contributions spanning dysphagia, spinal disorders, pediatric rehabilitation, neuromuscular medicine, and rehabilitation engineering. As a tenured Professor and current Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, he has played a pivotal role in advancing evidence-based rehabilitation practices that directly translate into improved patient outcomes across the lifespan. Dr. Ryu’s research is particularly renowned for transforming the assessment and treatment of dysphagia. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in the clinical application of high-resolution manometry (HRM) for swallowing disorders, producing foundational work that clarified pharyngeal pressure dynamics, upper esophageal sphincter physiology, and aspiration mechanisms. His studies integrating HRM with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and electromyography have established new diagnostic standards and informed precision-based dysphagia management. More recently, he has led innovative research incorporating machine learning, deep learning, and voice analysis to predict aspiration risk, opening new pathways for noninvasive screening and digital health solutions. In parallel, Professor Ryu has made major contributions to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), particularly the development and validation of sequential 4-channel NMES systems for dysphagia rehabilitation. Through rigorously designed randomized controlled trials published in high-impact journals, his work has demonstrated superior clinical and biomechanical outcomes compared with conventional stimulation approaches, influencing rehabilitation protocols worldwide. His research portfolio also encompasses spinal pain, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, and pediatric neurorehabilitation, with notable advances in understanding abnormal muscle activation patterns, brace biomechanics, gait analysis, and hip displacement prevention in children with severe cerebral palsy. By combining surface electromyography, three-dimensional imaging, and biomechanical modeling, Dr. Ryu has provided mechanistic insights that directly inform individualized rehabilitation strategies. Beyond clinical research, Professor Ryu is deeply engaged in translational innovation, holding more than 20 patents and contributing to medical device and software development aimed at improving rehabilitation diagnostics and therapies. His scholarly output includes over 180 peer-reviewed publications, numerous book chapters in leading rehabilitation texts, and sustained funding from competitive national programs. His work has been recognized with multiple prestigious international and domestic awards, reflecting its global impact. Equally notable is his commitment to academic leadership and mentorship. Professor Ryu has trained generations of physicians, researchers, and allied health professionals, while actively contributing to international societies and guideline development.

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