Bum-Ho Bin
Associate Professor, Department of Life Sciences, Ajou University

Experience
2024 Member of the Planning and Evaluation Committee for Skin-Based Technology Development Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare
2024 Evaluator, BK21 Project, National Research Foundation of Korea
2023 Project Evaluator, National Research Foundation of Korea
2022 Judge, New Excellent Product (NEP) Certification, Korea Association of Industry, Technology and Advancement (KAITA)
2020 Judge, IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award Committee
2016 Reviewer, Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
2010 Principal Researcher and Department Head, Amorepacific R&D Center
2009 Researcher, RIKEN Center for Allergy and Immunology, Japan
HISTORY
Prof. Bin studied biotechnology in Japan as a government-sponsored scholar from Korea and Japan. He conducted research on artificial lipid membranes using Atomic Force Microscope at Gifu University, which laid the foundation for his subsequent studies at the University of Tokyo, where he focused on the purification and crystallization of membrane transport proteins. He later joined the RIKEN Immunology Center in Japan, where he investigated the disease mechanism of SCD-EDS, a condition associated with premature skin aging. There, he identified and reported several essential mineral transport proteins in the skin. His pioneering research established the molecular significance of minerals in skin health.
Driven by a passion for skin-related applications, He returned to Korea and joined the R&D center of AMOREPACIFIC. He systematically elucidated the roles of key proteins across all major skin cell types, including melanocytes, dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and immune cells. Recognizing the toxicity of existing whitening agents, he spearheaded the development of the first edible whitening ingredients and pioneered the creation of a sugar-based anti-melanogenic agent. These ingredients were shown to be highly effective in whitening while offering moisturizing benefits, with no irritation or toxicity. In addition, he uncovered the molecular mechanism behind Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 4 (OCA4), a form of vitiligo commonly observed in East Asians, which had remained poorly understood. Since joining Ajou University, He has been leading research that spans from fundamental skin biology to the development and manufacturing of cosmetic ingredients. To date, he has mentored around 40 master's and doctoral students, many of whom now work at Korea’s leading cosmetic companies.