Memories

“Em” coatings are used in the paintings; Optimistic Testament refers to the style of carving (ko.wikipedia.org). Below are two examples of my grandfather Tae Ik Lee's (1903-1975) work. His nick name “Ki-Won,” can be translated as mysterious garden…

Tae-Ik

Chee-Ko-Jung

Cover page of "Ki-Won In-Jon"

My grandfather from "Ki-Won In-Jon"

During my tenure at UNLV, I have been fortunate to receive a number of research/education/innovation awards including the 2015 Regents’ Researcher Award by the board of regents, Nevada System of Higher Education, the 2016 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award, the 2016 Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award by UNLV, 2017 Inaugural Top Tier Award, the Pioneer Award at the 3rd International Workshop on Active Materials and Soft Mechatronics in 2018, and to elected to become a fellow of National Academy of Inventors in 2017 and to become Distinguished Professor of UNLV in 2018. Below show some memorable moments.
Receiving the 2016 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award	Receiving the 2015 Regents' Researcher Award, Nevada System of Higher Education	In Washington DC, at the Fellow induction ceremony of National Academy of Inventors (NAI)

My professional career started after I received my PhD in 1992. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) was the place I was able to build my academic career. Very luckily, I have had the privilege to work with many talented faculty-colleagues, students, and staff when I was at UNR. In the summer of 2012, I decided to change my life – go to Las Vegas, NV where I joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a faculty member of the Mechanical Engineering Department….
In 1992, with Professor Byard Wood, my advisor	Student business plan competition: 2007 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup First place: NanoVation, Inc. of UNR	On May 26, 2012. Kwang's Farewell Party – colleagues at UNR

Sometimes, I, as a researcher, had opportunities to meet with political leaders including Nevada State Governor Brian Sandoval (left photo) in 2014 in my laboratory at UNLV; NV Senator Harry Reid (middle photo) in 2016 at this office in DC; and Nevada State Lieutenant Governor Mark Hutchison in 2015 in my laboratory at UNLV (right photo).

For more infor: https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/rise-soft-robotics

With Paul Oh at the Thomas & Mack(2017)

@the 2016 Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award ceremony

In 1999, I had a chance to collaborate with Late Professor Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (1991 the Nobel Laureate in Physics) on electroactive polymer actuator theory.  He literally taught me how to look at physics in compact view and still remember his smile….