Jongsoo Baek, Ph.D

Bio

Jongsoo Baek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Kyung Hee University, bringing a rigorous scientific background to cognitive science. He earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Psychology from Yonsei University and the University of Southern California (USC), specializing in brain and cognitive science.

Prior to joining Kyung Hee University, he held research professor positions at Yonsei University’s Institute of Convergence Technology and the Center for Systems and Translational Brain Sciences, as well as serving as a postdoctoral researcher at The Ohio State University. His primary research investigates visual perception, attention, and computational modeling, with a strong focus on developing innovative Bayesian adaptive methods — such as the quick contrast sensitivity function and partial-report procedures — to measure psychometric functions and visual performance. He also explores ensemble perception, spatial cueing, and cognitive-emotional interactions, including emotional memory trade-offs and perception in social anxiety. Actively funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea, his interdisciplinary work seamlessly bridges empirical cognitive neuroscience, computational methodology, and theoretical inquiry.

Current Position

  • 2023 – Current: Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, College of Humanities, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Education

  • 2012: Ph.D., Psychology: Brain and Cognitive Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (Advisor: Dr. Zhong-Lin Lu)
    • Dissertation: Attention in visual search and spatial cueing
  • 2003: M.A., Psychology: Cognitive Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea (Advisor: Dr. Min-Shik Kim)
    • Thesis: The Influence of memory on the efficiency of attentional shifting in visual search
  • 2001: B.A., Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Teaching Experiences

  • 2024 – Current: Cognitive Science (Kyung Hee University)
  • 2024 – Current: Understanding of Human Behavior (Kyung Hee University)
  • 2023 – Current: Epistemology (Kyung Hee University)
  • 2015 – 2023: Cognitive Science (Yonsei University)
  • 2018 – 2022: Experimental Psychology: Practicum (Yonsei University)
  • 2014, 2016: Perception and Psychophysics: Practicum (Yonsei University)

Working Experiences

  • 2020 – 2023: Research Professor, Center for Systems and Translational Brain Sciences, Institute of Human Complexity and Systems Science, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
  • 2015 – 2019: Research Professor, Yonsei Institute of Convergence Technology, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
  • 2012 – 2014: Postdoctoral researcher in Laboratory of Brain Processes (LOBES), Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
  • 2003 – 2004: Researcher in Hankook Research Co.,Ltd., Seoul, Korea

Patents

  • SAT model estimation method and apparatus.
    Park, H.-J. & Baek, J. Korea Patent 10-2276884 (2021)
  • Method of generating an adaptive partial report and apparatus for implementing the same.
    Lu, Z. L., Baek, J., & Lesmes, L. A. US Patent 10,646,155 (2020)

Awards

  • 2022: The Best Teaching Award (College of Engineering, Yonsei University)
  • 2019: The Best Teaching Award (College of Engineering, Yonsei University)
  • 2017: The Best Teaching Award (College of Liberal Arts, Yonsei University)
  • 2016: The Best Teaching Award (College of Engineering, Yonsei University)
  • 2015: The Best Teaching Award (College of Liberal Arts, Yonsei University)