New Chair in Engineering & Computer Science

Kwon is first female chair of department

(Photo by Kristin Badzik)

The Andrews University Department of Engineering & Computer Science welcomed a new chair at the beginning of the 2015–2016 school year. In an area on campus that tends to be predominately male, Hyun Kwon is the first female chair of the department, along with being the only female faculty member and professor of engineering and computer science.

Born and raised in South Korea, Kwon received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Korea Advanced Institute of Science Technology (KAIST) with a full governmental scholarship. She then moved to the United States, where she earned her doctoral degree in chemical engineering from University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Before joining the Andrews faculty, Kwon worked as a researcher in neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she did research on a molecule involved in olfactory transduction. Kwon has also done research on developing and characterizing biosensors and studied protein and DNA detection.

Along with teaching several classes, Kwon is currently developing an affordable, paper-based biosensor that helps detect cancer or other diseases with the use of a cell phone.

“It is an exciting project that uses engineering to enable diagnosing all those mysterious diseases with the tip of a finger at an affordable price,” said Kwon.

With the department’s well-earned reputation and promising job outlook, enrollment has grown 40 percent in the past five years and is expected to grow another 10 percent this coming year.

“It’s so rewarding to see our graduates succeed in their fields and the programs thrive,” said Kwon.

During her time as chair, Kwon would like to see more entrepreneurial minds incorporated into the program. The engineering and computer science program involves cultivating creativity, innovation, risk-taking, confidence and persistence.

“I am excited about all the creative projects that we do, and I hope to incorporate a business mindset that will take them even further,” said Kwon.

When Kwon isn’t busy running the department and teaching classes at Andrews, she is at home with her husband, who works as a chiropractor, and her four children, all under the age of 12. Her secret to balancing work and family lies in staying healthy and in good condition.

“My family is the reason I can do it all,” she says. “I treasure all my kids and enjoy spending time with them, and my husband is my biggest supporter. I believe God has granted me many gifts, and I need to develop and use them for a better cause.”

To learn more about the Department of Engineering & Computer Science, visit andrews.edu/ecs, email engineering@andrews.eduor call 269-471-3420.