[To oversee papers in nano-optics and metamaterials, further expanding global academic influence]
Professor Junsuk Rho of POSTECH has been appointed an Associate Editor of Applied Physics Letters (APL), a leading journal in applied physics. His three-year term began on April 1, 2026.
Published by the American Institute of Physics, APL is an internationally renowned journal in applied physics with a 65-year history. During his tenure, Professor Rho will oversee the editorial process for submissions in the fields of metamaterials, nano-optics, nanofabrication, and nanodevices.
Professor Rho received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University, followed by an M.S. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Since joining POSTECH in 2014, he has led pioneering research in metamaterials—engineered materials that transcend the conventional limits of light—earning international recognition as a leading scholar in the field.
His accolades are equally distinguished. He received the Presidential Award (Young Scientist Award) from the Korean Academy of Science and Technology in 2019 and the Young Engineer Award from the National Academy of Engineering of Korea in 2022. He was also named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate—ranking within the top 0.1% of researchers worldwide—for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024.
Professor Rho has also been highly active in editorial roles. He currently serves as Associate Editor of ‘Light: Science & Applications’, published by Springer Nature, becoming the first Korean to hold the position. With his appointment at APL, he is expected to further expand his influence within the global academic community.
“APL is a journal with a long-standing tradition and authority in the field of applied physics,” said Professor Rho. “As Associate Editor, I will do my utmost to ensure that outstanding research in metamaterials and nano-optics is published more rapidly and fairly.”