Kwangwoon University - South Korea
Author Profile
SCOPUS
Summary
Dr. Seulki Lee, an associate professor at Kwangwoon university, is a leading academic in the field of construction engineering with a strong focus on digital transformation. her expertise spans digital knowledge representation, smart technology acceptance, off-site construction evaluation, and robotics simulation. with a comprehensive academic background from kwangwoon university and significant research experience at seoul national university, she has developed advanced methodologies integrating ontology, bim, digital twins, and power electronics. recognized by multiple prestigious awards, she continues to shape the future of construction technology through research, education, and mentorship.
Early academic pursuits
Dr. Seulki Lee’s academic journey began at Kwangwoon university, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering (2004–2008). her passion for construction and digital systems led her to pursue a master’s (2008–2010) and subsequently a ph.d. in construction management (2010–2014) from the same institution. Cognitive Robotics Systems her early research focused on integrating digital technologies with architectural processes—a foundation that continues to shape her work in domains such as building information modeling (bim), ontology, and power electronics in construction automation systems.
Professional endeavors
After earning her doctoral degree, Dr. lee served as a senior researcher at the institute of construction and environmental engineering, seoul national university (2014–2021). during this period, she deepened her expertise in simulation, prefabrication, and construction knowledge management. in march 2021, she returned to her alma mater, kwangwoon university, as an associate professor in the department of architectural engineering. her dual roles in research and academia have allowed her to mentor students, lead funded projects, and collaborate on national and international research initiatives, especially those integrating digital twins and robotics with power electronics.
Contributions and research focus
Digitalization of construction knowledge: She works on developing ontology-based frameworks for representing and automating reasoning over construction data using rdf, sparql, and large language models (llms). Smart technology acceptance and education: Her research explores how professionals adopt digital tools, focusing on the technology acceptance model (tam) and the development of Cognitive Robotics Systems effective safety-oriented training methods. Off-site construction and dfx evaluation: She has introduced structured evaluation systems for design for manufacturing and assembly (dfma) and quality control of prefabricated components. Construction robotics and simulation: She is a pioneer in integrating robot-friendly environments, bim, and digital twins to simulate and evaluate robotic task efficiency—especially in synergy with power electronics used in autonomous systems.
Impact and influence
Dr. Lee’s contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. these include the president’s commendation from the korean society of civil engineers (ksce) in 2025, the jeong won-seok special award in 2024, Cognitive Robotics Systems and multiple outstanding paper awards from kicem and aik. in addition, her student supervision excellence awards (2021–2024) highlight her role as a mentor and educator shaping the next generation of engineers.
Academic cites
Her work is frequently cited in areas of ontology-based construction knowledge, smart construction technologies, and construction robotics. she has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference papers, often at the intersection of bim, simulation, and digital literacy. her academic visibility has made her a recognized authority in Cognitive Robotics Systems integrating semantic web technologies and ai reasoning into architectural and civil engineering workflows.
Legacy and future contributions
As a thought leader in the digitization of construction systems, dr. lee continues to influence policy, research, and education in smart construction. her future work aims to further automate decision-making processes through advanced reasoning engines and enhance human-robot collaboration for safer and more efficient work environments. with a Cognitive Robotics Systems commitment to standardization, sustainability, and educational reform, she is poised to leave a lasting legacy in both academia and industry.
Notable Publications
- Title: Automated Inference of Context-Specific Hazards in Construction Using BIM and Ontology
Authors: [Author names not provided]
Journal: Automation in Construction
Year: 2025
- Title: A Practical Image Augmentation Method for Construction Safety Using Object Range Expansion Synthesis
Authors: [Author names not provided]
Journal: Buildings
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Dr. Seulki Lee’s contributions reflect a deep commitment to modernizing construction practices through digital innovation and interdisciplinary integration. her impactful research in automation, smart education, and robotics-enabled environments—supported by technologies such as power electronics—positions her as a visionary leader in engineering. as construction rapidly evolves, her work will remain pivotal in fostering safer, smarter, and more efficient industry practices while inspiring future scholars and practitioners.