Dr. Won-Pil Baek, Senior Vice President for R&D program at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) won the KAIST Alumni of the year 2017 award. Dr. Won-Pil Baek acquired his Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering Department (currently, the Dept. Nuclear and Quantum Engineering) in 1991. He was appointed as a former research associate professor in KAIST and has been working at KAERI since 2001. Based on his international expertise in nuclear thermal-hydraulic safety and outstanding leadership, Dr. Won-Pil Baek played a crucial role in the Korean Nuclear Safety Research Group, which research area is thermal-hydraulics and severe accidents, into a global leader group. Especially, he contributed to the localization of nuclear safety technology and enhancement of global competitiveness by successfully guiding ATLAS, a world class nuclear safety verification facility constructed in KAERI, from concept development to construction, operation and domestic and overseas utilization. Based on this, he has been highly evaluated by academia, research, industry and government for the safety verification of APR1400, a new type of Korean Light Water Reactor, and his direct contribution to the United Arab Emirates export.

The winner is a leader who represents the field of nuclear safety research in Korea, and is recognized as a national and international expert in nuclear safety. He has won several awards such as the Prime Minister's Prize in Science and Technology, the Doosan Nuclear Technology Award (the first winner), ‘100 people to enhance the Korea prestige’ award, and the NURETH Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (the youngest of all 30 people, two in Korea). Moreover, he founded the alumni meeting of Nuclear Engineering and served as the first president. As a member of KAIST’s Advisory Board and Alumni Committee on Nuclear and Quantum Engineering Department, he has shown his deep affection and contribution to his department and alma mater through active and sincere consulting and activities.

Senior vice president Won-Pil Baek won the KAIST Alumni of the Year award because he is an alumni recognized by KAIST juniors as the most respected role model through his love for and contribution to domestic and foreign leadership representing Korea’s nuclear safety field.