Sangwoo Kim
Biography
Sangwoo Kim joined EPFL as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in September 2023. Prior to his appointment at EPFL, he served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned his graduate degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where his research delved into the relationships between statistics, geometry, and mechanical states in cellular matters. Currently, his research focus on fundamental understanding of biological and living systems, as well as the study of soft and active matter employing principles from mechanics and physics. His research interests encompass embryonic development, tissue morphogenesis, structure and mechanics of soft materials, inherent structure of amorphous materials, and non-equilibrium dynamics of active matter.Research
In Kim’s Lab in the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at EPFL, we are dedicated to acquiring fundamental insights on biological/living systems and soft/active materials, spanning from inert soft materials of foams, emulsions, colloidal systems to granular materials and active living materials of embryonic tissues, in-vitro cell culture systems and bacteria aggregates. By employing principles in mechanics and physics, we strive to develop novel theoretical framework to understand emergent structures, dynamics, and mechanical properties within these systems.
Teaching & PhD
Teaching
Mechanical Engineering
Courses
Introduction to structural mechanics
The student will acquire the basis for the analysis of static structures and deformation of simple structural elements. The focus is given to problem-solving skills in the context of engineering design.
Modeling of soft and biological matters
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of theoretical and computation modeling approaches applicable to soft and biological matter.