The YU Department of Horticulture and Life Science enjoyed consecutive awards in major academic societies since professors and students were recognized for their research capacities.

First, Department of Horticulture and Life Science Professor Moon Yong-sun (45, left on photo) received the 'best poster paper award' at the 2016 Korean Society for Plant Biotechnology academic conference. At this conference, which was held at the Dong-A University Bumin Campus International Hall from the 9th to 11th, Professor Moon presented her research results on the effects of serotonin, which was recently found to be a major active ingredient of carthami fructus (safflower seed), which is a species of the safflower.

Carthami fructus is reported to be effective in treating fractured bones and rheumatism, and the flowers of safflowers have been reported to help with stroke and high blood pressure. Through this study, Professor Moon confirmed that the seratonin of carthami fructus is an active ingredient with anti-oxidizing effects and that it is effective in treating inflammations.

 Professor Moon said, "Depending on which part of a plant you consume, the physiological effects for the same substance can be different. The major substances of carthami fructus, which is an oriental herbal medicine ingredient that has been used for treating fractures and rheumatism, were revealed through this study, and it will be possible to use it as a natural ingredient for treating rheumatism related diseases." She added, "In addition to revealing the major substances of traditional medicinal crops of Korea and investing its physiological effects, I am planning to also conduct research on the possibility as vegetable crops by establishing the cultivation conditions of medicinal crops."

Professor Moon earned her doctorates at Cornell University in 2003 and was appointed as a professor at the YU Department of Horticulture and Life Science. She also served as the deputy director of the YU Planning Office and the director of the Women Student Career Development Center. She currently holds important positions such as the dean of the Department of Horticulture and Life Science, director of the Rural Development Research Center, and director of the International Cooperation Support Team. In May, she also won the '2016 Best Lecturer Award'.

Also on May 27, Lee Sang-eun (23, right on photo), a junior in the Department of Horticulture and Life Science, received the 'Horticulture Evergreen Award' from the Korean Society for Horticultural Sciences. The Korean Society for Horticultural Sciences is the nation's largest academic society on agriculture with 2,000 members. From last year, it began giving the 'Horticulture Evergreen Award' by selecting undergraduate students who made their presence known in the horticulture sector.

Mr. Lee said, "Horticulture is an academic field that is closely related to the health of humanity and for the procurement of food resources for the future." He added, "I am very interested in plant genetics and breeding. I want to contribute in the Korean seed industry."