Prof. Dr. Won Hyuk Chang | Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Won Hyuk Chang, Samsung Medical Center, South Korea

Prof. Dr. Won Hyuk Chang is a distinguished expert in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at Samsung Medical Center and Professor at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 🇰🇷. With over two decades of clinical, academic, and research excellence, he leads rehabilitation innovation, particularly for stroke and brain disorders. Dr. Chang’s pivotal work spans neurorehabilitation, robotic rehabilitation, non-invasive brain stimulation, and smart health technology. His international exposure includes a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 🇺🇸. As a section editor and board member for several prestigious journals, he contributes significantly to global stroke and neurorehabilitation literature. He also serves on various Korean and international scientific boards, reflecting his leadership in the field. Passionate about personalized treatment and patient-centered care, Prof. Chang actively directs multiple national research grants and has become a recognized figure in brain health innovation. 🧠🦾📚

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Won Hyuk Chang pursued his M.D. (2000) and M.S. (2005) from Yonsei University College of Medicine, followed by a Ph.D. in 2012 from Korea University College of Medicine 🎓. His postgraduate clinical training began with an internship (2000–2001) and residency (2001–2005) in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University. This strong academic foundation provided him with clinical and research competencies essential for advanced rehabilitation medicine. His commitment to academic growth is further illustrated by his research fellowship at the Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School (2014–2015). Through rigorous academic training in both Korea and the U.S., Dr. Chang has cultivated a multidisciplinary approach to neurorehabilitation and brain stimulation, leading to a prolific research and clinical career. 📘📖🧠

💼 Experience

Dr. Chang’s career started as a Military Chief at Kangwha Hospital (2005–2008), later returning to Yonsei University as a Clinical Instructor (2008–2009). He joined Samsung Medical Center in 2009 and progressed from Clinical Instructor to Clinical Assistant Professor, then Assistant Professor (2011–2015), Associate Professor (2015–2021), and Professor (2021–present) at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine 🏥📈. His international fellowship at Harvard Medical School in 2014-2015 boosted his research on brain stimulation. He is also involved in several professional societies, such as the Korean Society for Neurorehabilitation, Korean Neuromodulation Society, and Society for Neuroscience 🌐. Editorially, he serves as Section Editor for the Journal of Stroke and Editor for Geriatric Rehabilitation, among others. His clinical and academic leadership spans brain disorders, robotic and digital rehabilitation, and translational neuroscience 🧬🧑‍⚕️.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Prof. Chang has been entrusted with over 12 major national and institutional research grants, reflecting his leadership in Korea’s brain rehabilitation landscape 🎖️. His grant-funded projects include innovations in rTMS, tDCS, and rehabilitation robotics, supported by prestigious bodies like the National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Samsung Medical Center 🧪. Notable among these is the First-Ever Stroke Long-Term Cohort Study (2023–2032), a landmark effort funded by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. He is widely recognized for his work in personalized neurorehabilitation, stroke biomarkers, and digital recovery platforms. His editorial and board roles in global journals and societies further mark him as a respected thought leader in rehabilitation medicine, contributing to the scientific community through both service and research excellence 🥇📜.

🔬 Research Focus

Prof. Chang’s research is centered on neurorehabilitation for stroke and brain disorders, with specialization in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 🧠⚡. He leads pioneering work on developing smart rehabilitation tools, such as smart gloves and boards for upper limb recovery, and Angel Legs, a robotic walking device. His studies aim to create personalized treatment strategies based on genetic and neurological markers, like BDNF polymorphisms, to optimize therapy outcomes. Additionally, he investigates brain plasticity, motor learning, and the digital transformation of rehabilitation practices. His interdisciplinary approach integrates AI, sensor technology, and cohort studies to improve long-term outcomes for stroke survivors. Dr. Chang’s innovations are backed by extensive funding and have significant implications for global brain health, aging care, and telerehabilitation 📈🤖🧬.

Publication Top Notes

Won Hyuk Chang | Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award