Assist. Prof. Dr Sae-Yeon Won | Biomaterials | Best Researcher Award
Assist. Prof. Dr. Sae-Yeon Won is a distinguished neurosurgeon and researcher at Rostock University Medical Center, Germany. With an MD and PhD in Neurological Surgery
, he has over 85 peer-reviewed publications
and an H-index of 17
. His research focuses on neurovascular diseases, brain trauma, and innovative surgical materials
. A former scholar at Harvard University
, he has received prestigious grants and leads collaborative projects across Germany
. As founder of the Posterior Fossa Community
and active member of top neurosurgical societies, Dr. Won’s work bridges clinical excellence with groundbreaking biomedical research
.
Assist. Prof. Dr Sae-Yeon Won, Rostock University Medical Center, Germany
Profile
Education 
Dr. Sae-Yeon Won earned his MD from J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt (2007–2014), complemented by a research stint at Harvard University
in 2012. He received his Doctor of Medicine (Dr. med.) in 2015, graduating summa cum laude
with a dissertation on dual-energy CT imaging in brain hemorrhages
. In 2021, he achieved a PhD (Habilitation) in Neurological Surgery from Rostock University Medical Centre
, focusing on epilepsy in subdural hematoma patients
. His academic journey reflects deep commitment to neurosurgical research and clinical excellence across global institutions
.
Professional Journey 

Dr. Sae-Yeon Won began his neurosurgical residency at J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt (2014–2020) under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Volker Seifert. He continued his residency at University Medical Centre Rostock
, followed by a clinical fellowship (2020–2021)
. Since June 2021, he has served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery under Prof. Dr. Thomas M. Freiman
. His continuous advancement in clinical neurosurgery reflects exceptional dedication, hands-on expertise in complex brain disorders
, and a strong commitment to academic medicine
.
Grants & Scholarships 

Dr. Sae-Yeon Won has been awarded multiple prestigious grants, including the Clinical Price in NeuroWiss (€1,500) in 2019 for his research on aneurysms . In 2021, he received the FORUN 2021 Research Award (€18,867) and DePuy Spine Scholarship (€2,000)
. He was also awarded State Graduate Funding (€24,000) for coagulation disorder research and the DGNI Young Scientist Award (€20,000) for intracranial pressure monitoring
. Additionally, his Teaching Grant (€8,800) supports innovative virtual reality training for neurosurgical students
.
Contributions 
Dr. Sae-Yeon Won’s research demonstrates the potential of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a safer hemostatic agent in neurosurgery . Unlike traditional bipolar coagulation, H₂O₂ showed minimal neuronal damage, with limited impact (≤1mm from the surface)
. This suggests it could be a viable alternative to conventional methods, reducing risks during surgery. Additionally, his study found H₂O₂ had visible effects on tumor cells, opening new possibilities for its use in brain tumor treatment
. This research holds promise for more effective brain tumor surgeries, prioritizing tumor removal while preserving surrounding brain tissue
.
Research Focus 
Dr. Sae-Yeon Won’s research spans several critical areas in neurosurgery and neurology. His work focuses on stroke , exploring innovative treatments and early detection methods. He also investigates neurovascular diseases
, aiming to improve understanding and management of conditions like aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. In neurooncology
, his studies explore novel approaches for treating brain tumors, especially in minimizing damage to healthy tissue during surgery. Furthermore, Dr. Won’s research addresses traumatic brain injury
, seeking new solutions for recovery and minimizing long-term effects on patients. His work combines cutting-edge treatments with clinical practice.