"I'm supposed to help Virginia Tech develop a number of biomedical research programs that they are envisioning," Mun said. "Virginia Tech has a strategic plan to expand their presence and research domain. One of Tech's tactics has been expanding research interests in the biomedical areas."
Mun has a strong background in biomedical research, having spent 27 years at the Georgetown University Medical Center as a research professor of radiology and an adjunct professor of microbiology and immunology. While at Georgetown, he also served as director of Imaging Physics and then director of the Imaging Science Information Center for 24 years.
Having received a doctoral degree in physics from the State University of New York at Albany, Mun has done extensive work in his field. He began his academic career with research in medical physics, particularly in the study of the biophysical properties of hemoglobin. He also worked in the lab of Paul Lauterbur, a 2003 Nobel Laureate in physiology or medicine, on MRI contrast development research. In 1983, his expertise helped develop one of the first whole-body MRI systems at Columbia University Medical Center.
This work has led to great prestige for Mun, who cites his participation in hospital technology development as one of his greatest accomplishments.
"I was one of the earlier investigators in developing MRI technology many years ago and a principal investigator in developing a series of technologies to convert hospitals from film-based to digital operation," Mun said. "If you go to hospitals today, most of the X-rays are seen on computer monitors. We don't really use film anymore."
Mun will be a full-time Tech faculty member, working at the Institute for Advanced Study through the College of Science. He will, however, remain stationed at Tech's National Capital Region in Northern Virginia.
James Bohland, vice president and executive director of Tech's operations in the National Capital Region said the area is dedicated to extending Tech's reach into the northern part of the state.
"We have over 1,200 grad students, so our focus is mostly graduate studies, as well as research," Bohland said.
A major National Capital Region research center, located in Ballston, is also in the works. Mun is involved in the development of that project and will occupy space in the new building once it is completed.
"A number of us are involved in the designing of the interior of the building," Mun said. "We intend to make it suitable for various laboratories and researchprograms."
However, Mun assures that he still plans to have a presence in Blacksburg.
"I will be developing programs working with various faculty members in both Northern Virginia and Blacksburg, as well the new Virginia Tech Carilion Medical Research Institute," Mun said. "Programs will come from various departments and centers. A lot of activities will involve the subject matters of the Schools of Engineering and Computer Science. The department of biomedical engineering particularly has some projects that I will be able to help with."
Although Mun names physics "his academic home," he probably will not teach classes, but instead focus on research initiatives.
"Everything is so new and I am sure things will evolve, but at this point, I don't have any teaching responsibilities," Mun said.
Mun currently cites his primary areas of interest as medical informatics and medical imaging, as well as robotics.
"I am very enthused about being able to continue and develop the kind of research I have been doing," Mun said. "Because of the capabilities that Virginia Tech has, particularly in technology, I will be able to expand my research greatly."
This will not be the first time Mun has been involved with Tech.
"While I was at Georgetown, I was Tech's counterpart in developing joint degree programs in the biomedical area and medical and drug development programs," Mun said.
Bohland has worked with Mun in Northern Virginia for about four years through this Georgetown-Virginia Tech collaboration and is one of many faculty members eager to have Mun come on board.
"Seong is an excellent scholar and very easy to work with. He's a real program builder and he will be an asset to the university," Bohland said.
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