Myongji University Scholar Wins International Acclaim for Renaissance Medicine Research

Dr. Bang Ji-eun, an adjunct professor at Myongji University, has earned an Honorable Mention at the highly regarded "Santorio Award," a significant international accolade in the field of Renaissance medicine. This award, presented biennially by the Center for the Study of Renaissance Medicine and the Body (CSMBR) in Pisa, Italy, honors exceptional doctoral dissertations from emerging researchers globally. The selection is highly competitive, with only five recipients chosen each cycle. Dr. Bang's achievement is particularly noteworthy as she completed her academic journey entirely within South Korea, a rare feat given that past recipients have typically hailed from elite Western institutions like Cambridge, Stanford, and Yale.

“

The university's research support environment and the library's active cooperation allowed me to secure rare materials that are difficult to access in Korea, and the unwavering support from my professors was a great strength.

Her award-winning dissertation, completed in February, is titled "The Development of 16th-Century Western European Anatomy and Changes in Societal Perceptions of Anatomy: Focusing on Andreas Vesalius." The research delves into the advancements in 16th-century anatomy, framing them not merely as an accumulation of medical knowledge but as a reflection of evolving societal views on the human body. Dr. Bang's work also examines the intricate interplay of medical education, the printing press, and the exchange of knowledge within broader socio-cultural contexts. This approach underscores the significance of historical perspectives that view medical progress as a complex outcome of various societal factors, rather than solely the achievement of individual pioneers.

This international recognition is a testament to Myongji University's educational quality and research capabilities, especially given that Dr. Bang completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at the institution. Her success in the niche field of Western medieval and Renaissance medical history, where research foundations in Korea are relatively limited, has garnered significant attention within academic circles. Dr. Bang has been actively contributing to the Korean academic landscape, delivering an invited lecture at Yonsei University College of Medicine in April and is slated to give a keynote address at the Korean Society for the History of Medicine's annual conference in July.

“

I will continue to research Western medieval and Renaissance medical history, expand exchanges with the international academic community, and contribute to the development of domestic research.

Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Bang credited the university's supportive research environment and the library's extensive resources for enabling her to access rare materials. She also acknowledged the invaluable guidance from her professors. "I will continue to research Western medieval and Renaissance medical history, expand exchanges with the international academic community, and contribute to the development of domestic research," she stated. "I hope this award will serve as an opportunity to increase interest in related fields among academics and the public."

“

I hope this award will serve as an opportunity to increase interest in related fields among academics and the public.