Kwang J. (Jin) Kim, PhD
ASME Fellow (2007), NAI Fellow (2017)
UNLV Distinguished Professor & Southwest Gas Professor of Energy and Matter
Founder and Director, Active Materials and Smart Living (AMSL) Laboratory
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Email: ude.vlnu@mik.gnawk
My professional career began after I received my PhD in 1992, with Professor Byard Wood as my advisor. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) was where I built the foundation of my academic life, and I was fortunate to work alongside many talented faculty colleagues, students, and staff during my years there.
In the summer of 2012, I made the decision to begin a new chapter — moving to Las Vegas to join the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department. A farewell party with colleagues at UNR on May 26, 2012 marked the close of that era.
At UNR, I also had the pleasure of mentoring students in entrepreneurship. In 2007, a student team I worked with took first place in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup business plan competition with their venture, NanoVation, Inc.
Research Highlights
In 1999, I had the privilege of collaborating with the late Professor Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, the 1991 Nobel Laureate in Physics, on electroactive polymer actuator theory. He had a remarkable ability to distill physics into its most essential form, and his warmth and clarity of thought left a lasting impression on me.
Over the years, my research has also brought me into contact with political leaders who have taken an interest in the work happening in our laboratory. These include Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (2014), U.S. Senator Harry Reid (2016, at his office in Washington, D.C.), and Nevada Lieutenant Governor Mark Hutchison (2015).
For more on this work: The Rise of Soft Robotics – UNLV News
Awards & Recognition
During my tenure at UNLV, I have been honored to receive a number of awards recognizing research, education, and innovation:
- 2015 Regents’ Researcher Award, Nevada System of Higher Education
- 2016 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award
- 2016 Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award, UNLV
- 2017 Inaugural Top Tier Award, UNLV
- 2017 Elected Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (induction ceremony in Washington, D.C.)
- 2018 Pioneer Award, 3rd International Workshop on Active Materials and Soft Mechatronics
- 2018 Designated Distinguished Professor, UNLV
- 2021 The SSH Lieftime Achievement Award from SPIE
My grandfather, Tae Ik Lee (1903–1975), was an accomplished artist whose nickname “Ki-Won” translates as mysterious garden. “Em” coatings are used in the paintings; Optimistic Testament refers to the style of carving (ko.wikipedia.org). Two examples of his work are preserved in Ki-Won In-Jon, including the cover page and a portrait. 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) |
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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 |
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 On May 26, 2012. Kwang’s Farewell Party – colleagues at UNR |
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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 |
