Dr. Hoon Choi | Chemical Engineering| Best Researcher Award

Dr.  Hoon Choi NREL, United States

Dr. Hoon Choi is a distinguished researcher and Staff Scientist-Separation Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). With expertise in chemical engineering and advanced separation technologies, he has made significant contributions to renewable energy and sustainable materials processing. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and has conducted extensive research on chromatographic separations, lithium recovery, and bioprocessing. Dr. Choi has received numerous awards, including the President’s Award at NREL and multiple Key Contribution Awards. As a member of several DOE consortia, he actively collaborates on critical materials and bioprocessing research. His prolific publication record and impactful research make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🌍 Professional Profile:

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🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Hoon Choi’s groundbreaking work in separation technologies and renewable energy innovation positions him as a leading researcher. His contributions to lithium extraction, polymer recycling, and bio-based chemical production have had a transformative impact on the field. Recognized with prestigious awards, including NREL’s President’s Award and multiple Key Contribution Awards, Dr. Choi’s research excellence is well-established. His leadership in DOE consortia and collaborations with top scientists underscore his influence. With a strong publication record in high-impact journals and patents in development, Dr. Choi’s work directly advances sustainable technologies. His dedication, expertise, and research impact make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

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🎓 Education 

Dr. Hoon Choi holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University (2018), where he studied under Prof. Nien-Hwa Linda Wang, focusing on advanced separation processes. He earned his M.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Yonsei University (2014) under Prof. Kangtaek Lee, specializing in bioprocessing and membrane separations. His B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yonsei University (2012) provided a strong foundation in reaction engineering and process design. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Choi received numerous scholarships and honors, including the National Science and Engineering Full Scholarship and the Moojin Science and Technology Scholarship. His multidisciplinary education has equipped him with expertise in chromatography, polymer recycling, and sustainable chemical processes.

🏢 Work Experience 

Dr. Hoon Choi is a Staff Scientist-Separation Engineer at NREL (2022–present), leading projects on lithium separation and polymer recycling. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at NREL (2020–2022), working with Dr. Eric M. Karp on bio-based chemical separations. Before that, he was an engineer at Samsung Electronics Foundry (2019), where he contributed to semiconductor materials processing. His research experience spans bioprocessing, chromatography, and sustainable materials. Dr. Choi’s leadership in DOE-funded projects and industry collaborations has advanced critical material recovery and energy-efficient separations. With extensive expertise in applied research, he continues to make significant contributions to renewable energy technologies and green chemistry innovations.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Dr. Hoon Choi has received numerous accolades recognizing his research excellence. He was honored with the President’s Award at NREL (2024) and Key Contribution Awards for five consecutive years (2020–2024). He received the Director’s Award at NREL (2021) for his outstanding contributions to bio-based chemical processes. Before joining NREL, he was named Employee of the Month at Samsung Electronics Foundry (2019). In academia, he won the Silver Prize in the 2018 Mobile World Scholar Challenge and received a Hanwha Travel Grant for the AIChE Annual Meeting (2018). Additionally, he was a recipient of the Moojin Science and Technology Scholarship and was consistently recognized on the Dean’s List at Yonsei University.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Hoon Choi’s research focuses on sustainable separation processes for renewable energy applications. His work includes developing chromatographic techniques for lithium extraction, designing efficient bioprocessing separations, and advancing polymer recycling through catalytic methods. He integrates machine learning with separation technologies to optimize material recovery. As part of the DOE Bioprocessing Separations Consortium, BOTTLE, and Critical Materials Collaborative, he contributes to national initiatives on circular economy solutions. His research has resulted in high-impact publications in journals such as Energy & Environmental Science and Nature Chemical Engineering. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Choi is pioneering next-generation separation processes for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

• Choi, H., Alherech, M., Jang, J. H., Woodworth, S. P., Ramirez, K. J., Karp, E. M., & Beckham, G. T. (2024). Counter-current chromatography for lignin monomer–monomer and monomer–oligomer separations from reductive catalytic fractionation oil. Green Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC00765D

• Choi, H., Soland, N. E., Buss, B. L., Honeycutt, N. C., Tomashek, E. G., Haugen, S. J., Ramirez, K. J., Miscall, J., Tan, E. C. D., Smith, T. N., et al. (2022). Separation of bio-based glucaric acid via antisolvent crystallization and azeotropic drying. Green Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1GC03984A

• Choi, H., Soland, N. E., Moss, M. R., Liu, J., Prestangen, R. R., Katahira, R., Lee, S.-J., Thorson, M. R., Freeman, C. J., & Karp, E. M. (2022). The cell utilized partitioning model as a predictive tool for optimizing counter-current chromatography processes. Separation and Purification Technology, 120330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.120330

• Choi, H., Harvey, D., Ding, Y., & Wang, N.-H.L. (2018). Constant-pattern design method for the separation of ternary mixtures of rare earth elements using ligand-assisted displacement chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2018.09.056

• Choi, H., Harvey, D., Ding, Y., & Wang, N.-H.L. (2018). Key parameters controlling the development of constant-pattern isotachic trains of two rare earth elements in ligand-assisted displacement chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2018.05.057

• Choi, H., Um, K., Im, M., & Lee, K. (2015). A simple method for nanostructure engineering of mesoporous zinc silicate particles. Chemistry of Materials. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm503768j

• Ahn, H., Kim, T., Choi, H., Yoon, C., Um, K., Nam, J., Ahn, K.H., & Lee, K. (2014). Gelation of graphene oxides induced by different types of amino acids. Carbon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2014.01.033

• Kang, T., Choi, H., Joo, S.-W., Lee, S.Y., Yoon, K.-A., & Lee, K. (2014). Peptide nucleic acid-mediated aggregation of reduced graphene oxides and label-free detection of DNA mutation. Journal of Physical Chemistry B. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp501820j