34 Years of Global Semiconductor Research: The Return of a World-Renowned Scholar

Prof. Woo-Geun Rhee (Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering)

In August, the Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University welcomed Professor Woo-Geun Rhee, a world-renowned scholar in integrated circuit (IC) and system semiconductor design. Having spent 34 years in the United States and China, he now brings his global expertise back to Korea. Professor Lee has published more than 180 IEEE papers and holds 24 U.S. patents. He is currently an IEEE Fellow and serves on the IEEE Fellows Selection Committee, which appoints only 50 members worldwide each year. Notably, he is the first Korean to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society Journal.

Professor Lee earned his master’s degree from the University of California and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, later joining Tsinghua University in China as a professor in 2006. He also contributed to founding the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in China (KSEACH), receiving the Minister of Science and ICT Award and the KOFST President’s Award for his leadership in building networks among Korean researchers abroad.

We had the opportunity to speak with Professor Lee about his journey and vision for the future at Sungkyunkwan University.

Q. You’ve returned to Korea after more than three decades abroad. How does it feel to be teaching Korean students again?

I once taught a graduate course at Seoul National University as a visiting professor, but this is my first time teaching undergraduates. I was a bit nervous about how to connect with them. At the same time, I was genuinely excited at the thought of teaching such bright and courteous Korean students.

Q. What led you to join the Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University?

Many professors I know are already at SKKU, and I’ve long admired the university’s vision in the field of semiconductor convergence engineering. During the pandemic, I began seriously considering returning to Korea, and when I was invited to give a seminar at SKKU, I learned about the newly established Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering. I felt that, as a senior scholar, I could contribute meaningfully to this growing field — and that’s what convinced me to join.

Q. It’s been two months since you started teaching here. How has your experience with students been so far?

Recently, our department held its first sports day. I joined briefly with my fellow professors, and watching the students’ pure and energetic spirit was truly refreshing. I’ve also met with several students to discuss graduate studies and research plans. Their vision for the future is much more mature than when I was a student. With a few graduate students, I’ve been meeting to help them prepare papers for international conferences. Sharing lunch and discussing technical topics in Korean feels both new and deeply connecting.

Q. You were a professor at Tsinghua University, one of China’s most prestigious universities. What brought you there in 2006?

After 15 years in the U.S., I was thinking about returning to Korea. But as I watched how rapidly China was developing, I became curious to see it up close, so I applied to Tsinghua for what I thought would be a three-year stay. At the time, there were no recruitment programs like the “Thousand Talents Plan” for associate-level professors - only visiting positions - so I remember the university being a bit surprised when I applied.  I came to realize how important it was to have people who truly understood China, and that kept me there longer. During those years, I took various roles beyond research - promoting academic exchange between Korea and China, advising on collaborative projects, and founding the Association of the Korean Scientists and Engineers in China. Looking back, those 19 years went by faster than I could have imagined.

Q. What are some key lessons or memorable experiences from your time at Tsinghua?

I always tell my students that one impactful paper can shape an entire career. Publishing such a paper as the first author is something that Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers often have the best opportunities to do.

In my own case, after spending three and a half years at the University of Illinois, I left to work full-time as an engineer while continuing to prepare my dissertation. At that time, international students in the U.S. could take full-time jobs after completing their pre-defense. However, when the testing results for the chip I had designed failed, I almost gave up on my Ph.D.

Fortunately, the company I was working for went on to develop a product based on my dissertation research, and I was able to present those results at major conferences and publish them in journals. After seven and a half years, I finally earned my Ph.D. degree. Although it was a long journey, the four years I spent in industry —from product development to mass production —became one of the most valuable assets in my career and contributed greatly to my becoming an IEEE Fellow.

That experience taught me that research does not always follow a straight line. Sometimes, taking the longer route allows you to gain much more. Since then, I’ve come to value long-term, consistent research direction over short-term outcomes.

* At that time, U.S. universities allowed international students to work full-time after completing their pre-defense, while continuing to work on their doctoral dissertation without being formally enrolled.

Q. You’re the first Korean to serve as Editor-in-Chief of an IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society journal. Could you tell us more about that?

Within IEEE, there are numerous societies, and among them, the Solid-State Circuits Society (SSCS) publishes two official journals — the Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC) and the Open Journal of the Solid-State Circuits Society (OJ-SSCS).

I am currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of OJ-SSCS.

Since the journal’s launch, I was part of the founding editorial team as an associate editor, and my previous experience working with other IEEE journals likely contributed to my appointment as editor-in-chief. Together with around twenty associate editors from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, I oversee the review process and the planning of special sections, and work continuously to strengthen the journal’s impact.

▶ OJ-SSCS Editorial Board - IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society ◀

Q. Could you explain your research field — integrated circuits (IC) and system semiconductor design — in simple terms?

If we compare it to the human brain, system semiconductors handle all functions other than memory — such as thinking, communication, vision, hearing, and touch.

My research mainly focuses on designing low-power circuits and developing architectures for energy-efficient transceivers used in both wireless and wired communication systems.

Contrary to what many might expect, during my time at Tsinghua University, I rarely collaborated with Chinese companies. Most of my joint projects were with major Korean corporations, particularly in developing circuits used in next-generation wireless communication systems.

The 24 U.S. patents I currently hold are all related to integrated circuit design — some filed during my time working in the U.S., and others co-filed with Samsung Electronics while I was at Tsinghua University.

Q. Korea is a global leader in the semiconductor industry, but in the field of system semiconductors — the so-called “non-memory” sector — challenges remain. What capabilities should be developed to reinforce competitiveness in this field?

To build competitiveness, we need to nurture talent capable of thriving in diverse environments — not only those who enter large corporations, but also those who start their own ventures or gain experience in global companies abroad.

If someone works at a leading international semiconductor company for three to five years and then returns to Korea, they can make a meaningful contribution. If they come back after ten or twenty years, that contribution could be even greater.

In China, such globally experienced professionals are now taking leading roles in driving the semiconductor industry forward.

Q. You’ve taught students for nearly two decades. What’s your educational philosophy?

For undergraduate students, I always emphasize: Don’t be afraid to fail. Try as many things as possible and learn from experience.

For master’s students, I encourage them to seek practical, hands-on experience.

For Ph.D. students, I emphasize developing a professional mindset — one that recognizes how even a single mistake in circuit design can delay research by an entire year.

Ultimately, motivation is the key. Students who genuinely enjoy research produce far better results than those who simply aim for good grades. When doctoral students grow to the point where I start learning from them, that’s the most rewarding moment as a professor.

Q. What direction do you hope to take with your students at SKKU?

The Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering brings together professors from a wide range of fields, enabling students to gain a comprehensive understanding of circuits, devices, and equipment — all core areas of semiconductor technology.

In my courses, I hope to introduce globally collaborative programs in circuit design to help students broaden their perspectives and grow into global engineers representing SKKU.

Q. Lastly, what message would you like to share with SKKU’s engineering students?

Throughout my career, I’ve changed jobs three times — and each time, not when things were difficult, but when life was comfortable and stable.

I want SKKU students to have the same courage to take bold steps forward, to challenge themselves when things feel easy, and to design their own unique and meaningful career paths.

Interview: Lee Jeongbin