Osulloc Conference 2026: A Strategic Move for K-Science Collaboration

The Seokyungbae Science Foundation announced on the 29th that it is holding the inaugural ‘Osulloc Conference 2026: Genome Evolution’ from April 29 to May 2 at the Osulloc Tea Factory in Jeju. This event marks a significant milestone as the foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary and aims to broaden the global collaborative research landscape.

With the participation of 35 experts, including 18 scholars from around the world and 17 South Korean life science researchers, the conference provides a platform for deep academic discourse and collaborative opportunities. Such initiatives are critical for stakeholders seeking to enhance their connections within the life sciences community, leading to increased research and development potential.

The foundation, operating under the ethos of 'There exists another sky outside the sky,' has focused over the past decade on identifying and supporting young researchers who will lead the future of basic life sciences. By selecting 31 life scientists as 'SUHF Fellows' and providing them with funding and long-term research infrastructure, the foundation aims to contribute significantly to the development of South Korea's life sciences ecosystem.

This year's Osulloc Conference is distinctively designed as an invitation-only event, fostering an intimate environment for participants to stay in a single venue, bridging formal presentations with informal discussions and idea exchanges. This strategic approach enhances the likelihood of generating new collaborative research initiatives. The focus this year is on genomics, covering a range of topics from the origin of life to human adaptation and the evolutionary implications of environmental changes.

Co-chaired by early-career researchers from KAIST, Professor Lee Jeong-ho (2017 Fellow) and Professor Joo Young-seok (2018 Fellow), the conference attracted leading scholars from renowned institutions including the Wellcome Sanger Institute and The Jackson Laboratory. Their involvement signals a strong commitment to elevating the dialogue around genomic and evolutionary research.

Seokyungbae emphasizes the significance of events that foster connectivity among researchers, perceiving the Osulloc Conference as a crucial opportunity within a previously barren landscape—much like the transformed tea fields of Jeju. He expresses hope that this gathering will unlock new possibilities for researchers and confirms the foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting challenging scientific endeavors.

This conference not only highlights the imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration but also signals a hopeful trajectory for future initiatives in the beauty industry where scientific innovation lies at the intersection of genomics and product development, ultimately enriching consumer engagement and operational effectiveness.