Chaeyeon Park Wins Best Oral Presentation Award at the 5th WaterEnergyNEXUS International Conference

Chaeyeon Park, a Ph.D. candidate in Professor Gahyun Baek’s research team from the Department of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Biotechnology, received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 5th WaterEnergyNEXUS International Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This award recognizes the originality and academic contribution of her research.

The 5th WaterEnergyNEXUS International Conference took place over three days from February 17 to 19, 2025, at the Yas Conference Center in Abu Dhabi. Chaeyeon Park participated in the conference with support from the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) program and delivered an oral presentation on her research titled:

"Enhancing Anaerobic Digestion Efficiency of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Using Electrically Conductive and Calcium-Rich Waste Materials."Her study was highly regarded for its innovation and practical applications, leading to her recognition with the Best Oral Presentation Award.

This research focuses on improving the anaerobic digestion efficiency of high-concentration organic waste, such as fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from food waste. Specifically, it explores the use of biochar derived from oyster shells to facilitate electron transfer between microorganisms, thereby enhancing methane production. The findings confirm that electrically conductive and calcium-rich waste materials can boost microbial activity in anaerobic digestion, improving methane yield and reaction rates. This study highlights the potential of using waste materials for eco-friendly biogas production technologies.

The WaterEnergyNEXUS International Conference is a prestigious global academic event that focuses on water, energy, and climate sustainability. It is held in various regions, including Europe, Africa, and Asia. This year’s conference was co-organized by the University of Salerno (SEED Institute, Italy) and Kyungpook National University (Advanced Institute of Water Industry, South Korea), with support from the International Water Association (IWA) and academic publisher Elsevier. The conference plays a crucial role in advancing research collaboration and sharing scientific achievements toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).