On February 6, The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and the Cargill Agri Purina Cultural Foundation selected Kim In-ho, a professor in Dept. of Animal Resources Science at Dankook University (DKU), and Yoon Chul-hee, a professor of animal biotechnology at Seoul National University, as winners of the 7th Cargil Harim Life Sciences Award.

   Every year, KAST and Cargill select outstanding scientists and engineers whose research has contributed to the fields of agriculture, fishery, and livestock science for the Cargill Hanlim Life Sciences Award. Two winners are selected annually based on their research findings from the previous five years, and each is presented a plaque and 20 million won in prize money. Professor Kim In-ho was selected as a world-renowned researcher in the fields of hog-raising and nutrition for producing research results that dramatically improved the production and processing of animal feed. His research received outstanding recognition for its contribution to the advancement of hog-raising by developing antibiotic-free hog feed and other nutrition that increases the potential of hogling growth, as well as for identifying other related mechanisms. Yoo Ok-joon, head of KAST, said that improving livestock productivity and animal immunity is important because it is a highly significant factor in improving human health. And he added that the research achievements of the two winners make great contributions to the field of analyzing livestock and developing new feed industries as well as building a virtuous ecosystem cycle where animals and humans can coexist.

▲ Professor Kim In-Ho Who Recieved the 7th Cargil Harim Life Sciences Award (Photo from Kim In-Ho)

   Professor Kim In-ho has since been invited to several conferences, abroad and domestically. On the day of our interview, he had just returned from the United States and was scheduled to participate in events in the United Arab Emirates right after. Despite his hectic schedule, The Dankook Herald (DKH) was able to catch him in the Dean's office in the Life and Resource Science Hall on the afternoon of March 17. On receiving the Cargill Hanlim Life Science Award, he said, "It is meaningful to receive an award that can strengthen the stature of DKU." As a professor, he took great pride in being a member of DKU. He has a long history of experience researching hogs, earning first a master's degree in chicken research in Korea before moving on to his doctorate in the study of hogs in the United States. In contrast to the US, where hog research was common, Korea was lacking in technology developments. Professor Kim began concentrating on hog studies to advance hog-raising in Korea, and because of his endeavors, Korea now has the best research infrastructure in the industry. He said the project is still being developed with government and corporate research subsidies from various companies. When asked about any difficulties he experienced while conducting his studies, he said that he had to check the effect of specific feed on hogs during his animal nutrition research. Since researchers often spend the day in the pigsty recording details, the work was exhausting. He also said, "It is embarrassing to work because the smell of hog ammonia is really hard to get rid of." He anticipates that his accomplishments will help produce functional hog livestock feed that is featured in several domestic and international publications. These field studies have produced about 150 exceptional masters, doctors, and professors, all of whom he hopes will eventually work to address our food problems. As for future projects, he stated that numerous companies, including Britain's leading livestock company Denisco, are putting their trust in DKU's top-notch research facilities, and are hoping for future collaboration. Additionally, he plans to continue to study the hog industry, by developing eco-friendly materials for safe pork production and exploring the manufacturing of functional pork. He said the goal of the Institute of Smart Animal Biology at DKU is to become a leading nutrition-related R&D laboratory. The professor’s research was a cooperative effort. He said, "Considering that it is difficult for one researcher to have expertise in everything, interdisciplinary research will become more active in the future, so we all must become good collaborators." He added, "To be a good researcher, you have to work well with people and even lead people well." When asked about the specific skills needed in animal husbandry research, he said was important to have research, discussion, and communication skills, respect for your colleagues, a sense of leadership, teamwork, and motivation. He ended the interview with a message for Dankookians (Students of DKU) who are interested in or are studying animal resource science. "DKU's bio-resource engineering department has the only top-notch hog research center in Korea, and continuously collaborates with current MOU universities and private laboratories to develop new partnerships and sign cooperation exchange agreements.” This means there are a lot of opportunities for future research in this field at DKU. With the interest of Dankookians and the support of the university, it is clear that the Dept. of Animal Resources will continue to expand while carrying out more world-class research.

▲ Professor Kim In-Ho is giving his acceptance speech. (Photo from Kim In-ho)​

   Professor Kim In-ho worked for the development of the domestic livestock industry through cooperation with other laboratories and even with other foreign companies. His pride and passion for this subject area were strongly evident throughout the interview. His award is a great motivator for Dankookians interested in this field. The DKH looks forward to new developments coming out of this world-class facility.