NEKSOM 4th Annual Symposium at MIT (10.24.2026)

• Date: October 24, 2026

• Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The New England Korean Society of Medicine (NEKSOM) successfully held its 4th Annual Symposium at MIT on October 24, 2026. Approximately 60 physicians, researchers, and biohealth industry professionals attended the event, including Hyunchul Kim, President of KHIDI USA.

Following opening remarks by Young Kim, President of NEKSOM, Eunju Ahn, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Boston, delivered congratulatory remarks emphasizing Korea–U.S. collaboration in biotechnology and the role of Korean American physician-scientists.

Key topics presented at the symposium included:

1) Keynote Lectures

Michael Lim, Stanford University: Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma

Michael Lim presented combined PD-1/LAG-3 therapy and follow-up clinical research aimed at overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in glioblastoma. He also shared research exploring new immunotherapy targets through analyses of the tumor microenvironment and T-cell metabolism. His emphasis on research informed by unsuccessful clinical trials, physician-scientist training, and multicenter collaboration resonated strongly with attendees.

Insoo Kang, Yale University: Mechanisms of Autoimmune Disease

Insoo Kang discussed the mechanisms underlying autoantibody- and nucleic acid-driven immune activation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Drawing on single-cell studies identifying immune cell characteristics and inflammatory biomarkers, he emphasized the need to develop precision immunotherapies tailored to patients’ individual immune profiles.

2) Scientific Sessions

Kun Ho Bae of Seoul National University and Harvard Medical School presented research using AI-based retinal imaging to estimate biological age and predict diabetes risk, drawing on longitudinal data from approximately 14,000 individuals.

Junghee “Jenny” Shin of Yale University discussed precision medicine for primary immunodeficiency using genomic and immune function analyses, emphasizing the need to expand newborn screening for early detection.

NEKSOM Travel Grant recipients Junmin Song of Yale University and Christina Lee of Tufts University also presented research on PM2.5 exposure and EGFR mutations in lung cancer, and treatment response in hepatorenal syndrome–acute kidney injury, respectively.

3) Industry and Healthcare Innovation Forum

Hijung Cho, Senior Medical Director at AVEO Oncology/LG Chem; Sejong Chun, Clinical Research Medical Director at Scholar Rock; and Tess Kim of Massachusetts General Hospital shared practical experiences in translating research findings into clinical applications and commercialization.

The forum covered a broad range of topics, including target product profile (TPP) development, FDA regulatory strategy, and biomarker-guided clinical trial design for CAR-T therapies in autoimmune diseases. It also explored the development of the physician-led medical device “Peri-Peach,” including intellectual property, licensing, and the use of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding.