1. Biography
Suksin Lee's life story is one of dedication to scientific advancement and education, marked by his pioneering efforts in establishing biochemistry in Korea. His journey began with medical education in Korea, followed by advanced studies in Japan and Germany, culminating in a distinguished academic career back in his homeland.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Suksin Lee was born in P'yŏngannam-do, Korea, in 1897. He was the son of I Myŏngse and a woman from the Koksan Kang family. He pursued his medical education at Kyŏngsŏng Medical College, which is now part of Seoul National University, earning his medical degree in 1921. Following his graduation, he obtained his medical license in August of the same year, marking the beginning of his professional medical career.
1.2. Overseas Study and Early Research
After completing his initial medical training, Lee traveled to Japan, where he undertook several months of study in pathology at Tokyo Imperial University. His ambition for further specialization led him to Germany in 1922. In Germany, he enrolled at the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin, where he first underwent preliminary language instruction before delving into comprehensive coursework in chemistry and physiological chemistry. This rigorous academic pursuit culminated in him earning a doctorate of medicine in 1926. His inaugural dissertation, titled Ueber Glykolyse, focused on the study of inorganic phosphates during blood glycolysis, with his thesis advisors including Otto Lubarsch from the Chemistry Department at the Pathological Institute of the University of Berlin. During his final year of studies and continuing until 1927, Lee held a position as a research assistant at a national hospital in Berlin. In this period, he notably published and co-published several influential papers concerning the effects of photosensitive substances on glucose metabolism and cellular respiration.
1.3. Academic Career in Korea
Lee returned to his native Korea in February 1928, immediately embarking on research as a research assistant at Kyŏngsŏng Medical College. His initial focus upon returning was on the staple Korean diet and its physiological effects on metabolism. He was subsequently appointed as an instructor of physiology in the department of biochemistry at Severance Union Medical College, which is now the Yonsei University College of Medicine. Concurrently, he served as an adjunct instructor of dietetics at Ewha Womans University College of Medicine.
In 1932, Suksin Lee achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Korean to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry. His groundbreaking thesis, titled A Study on the Eating Habits of Koreans, was presented to Kyoto Imperial University and detailed his research on the nutrition and metabolism of prisoners in Korea. Among his advisors during this period was Professor Sato of Keijo Imperial University. Following this achievement, in 1933, he was appointed full-time professor of biochemistry at Severance Union Medical College, a position he was the first Korean to hold. He continued to lead the department, and later served as Severance's Dean of Student Affairs, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the institution until his death.
2. Major Research and Contributions
Suksin Lee's scholarly endeavors and groundbreaking research profoundly shaped the field of biochemistry in Korea and contributed significantly to public health understanding. His work laid the groundwork for systematic scientific inquiry into nutrition in the Korean context.
2.1. Pioneer of Korean Biochemistry
Suksin Lee holds a pivotal place in the history of Korean science due to his foundational role in establishing and organizing biochemistry as a distinct and recognized field of study in the nation. As the first Korean to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry and subsequently hold a full-time professorship in the discipline, he was instrumental in creating the academic framework for the subject in Korea. His appointments and leadership set a precedent for the development of scientific education and research within the country.
2.2. Key Research Areas
Lee's scientific investigations covered critical areas of biochemistry and nutrition, demonstrating his foresight and commitment to addressing public health needs through scientific inquiry.
2.2.1. Glucose and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Lee's early research abroad prominently featured studies on glycolysis and the role of inorganic phosphates during blood glycolysis. His work contributed to the understanding of intermediary carbohydrate metabolism, a field that was still developing in the late 1920s when the role of phosphorylated compounds in glycolysis had not yet been fully elucidated. His investigations aligned with the broader scientific advancements of his time, touching upon subjects that would later become central to the Nobel Prize-winning research of scientists such as Otto Fritz Meyerhof, Otto Heinrich Warburg, and Hans Adolf Krebs. Upon his return to Korea, Lee maintained a keen interest in the various factors affecting glucose metabolism, continuing to integrate this fundamental understanding into his subsequent research.
2.2.2. Korean Diet and Nutrition Studies
A significant part of Lee's contributions came from his dedicated studies on the Korean diet. Building upon work initiated in 1928, he undertook extensive research to identify and quantify the nutritional elements of the staple Korean diet. His investigations meticulously analyzed the chemical composition of common Korean foods and their specific effects on metabolism. This research was crucial in identifying essential nutritional sources within these foods, which were vital for the healthy development of both Korean children and adults. His work was particularly impactful given the challenging circumstances of the Japanese occupation, as it provided scientific insights into maintaining public health and nutritional well-being for the Korean population under duress.
2.3. Academic Activities and Publications
Beyond his pioneering research, Suksin Lee was highly active in the academic sphere. He was a dedicated teacher, educating future generations of medical professionals and scientists. He also took on significant editorial responsibilities, including serving as an editor for The Journal of Severance Union Medical College between 1935 and 1937. Throughout his relatively brief career, he authored and co-authored at least 10 scientific papers and articles, published in several languages, reflecting his international academic engagement. Remarkably, he accomplished these extensive contributions despite the arduous conditions of widespread rationing prevalent towards the end of World War II.
3. Death
Suksin Lee passed away on 12 December 1944, at the age of approximately 47. His death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.
4. Legacy and Assessment
Suksin Lee's contributions left an indelible mark on Korean science, particularly in the field of biochemistry, and continue to be recognized for their profound historical significance.
4.1. Academic Commemorations
Lee's enduring scientific contributions and legacy have been honored through various academic commemorations. In 2014 and again in 2016, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Yonsei University College of Medicine hosted academic symposiums specifically dedicated to commemorating his life's work. Further demonstrating his lasting impact, a Special Memorial Exhibition was held in 2015 at the Dong-Eun Museum of Medical Science in Seoul, Korea. This exhibit showcased a valuable collection of papers and other materials left behind by the late Suksin Lee, offering a glimpse into his pioneering research and scholarly pursuits.
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4.2. Historical Significance
Suksin Lee's historical significance in the development of Korean science is profound. He is celebrated as the first Korean to obtain a Ph.D. in biochemistry and to hold a full-time professorship in the field, thereby single-handedly establishing biochemistry as an organized field of study in Korea. His pioneering research on glucose metabolism and, critically, his detailed studies on the nutritional value and chemical composition of the Korean diet, provided essential scientific knowledge that contributed directly to understanding and improving public health. His work, carried out even under the difficult conditions of the Japanese occupation, represents a significant step forward in national scientific progress and firmly established him as a towering figure in the history of Korean medical science and biochemistry.