Biography
Dr. Suh is currently Professor of the College of Pharmacy and Natural Products Research Institute of Seoul National University, where he started his academic career as Assistant Professor in 1993. He teaches biology, plant taxonomy, medicinal plants, and natural resources at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He has also actively carried out research on examining phylogenetic relationships in flowering plants and identifying botanical origins of herbal medicines in Northeast Asian countries.
He is the President of the Korea National Committee for IUCN and also Chair of the Advisory Board of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Environment of Korea. He is a Lifetime Member of the Korea Academy of Environmental Science, elected in 2012. Currently, he is a Bureau member of IPBES elected for 2016 – 2019, and also a Councilor of IUCN elected for 2016 – 2020. Dr. Suh worked for the Natural Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, as a Research Scientist (1990-1993) after he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
He has served on various committees related to biodiversity and environmental issues at both national and international levels. His service includes Co-chair of National Red List Committee of Korea (2012-2016), a Member of National Biodiversity Committee (2011-2015), National Committee of Borderland Development (2012–present), National Committee of Natural Monuments and Parks (2010-2012), Advisory Committee of Korea National Park Service (2008-2010), Advisory Committee of Jeju World Natural Heritage (2006-2010), Promotion Committee for Jeju World Natural Heritage (2004-2006), etc. He played a major role to host 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Korea. He also contributed as a key author of the 5th Korea’s National Report and Korea’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2014-2018 submitted to CBD COP 12. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the Chair of the Asia Regional Committee for IUCN for two terms. From 2013 to 2015, he served CBD SBSTTA as a Bureau Member.<
He is the President of the Korea National Committee for IUCN and also Chair of the Advisory Board of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Environment of Korea. He is a Lifetime Member of the Korea Academy of Environmental Science, elected in 2012. Currently, he is a Bureau member of IPBES elected for 2016 – 2019, and also a Councilor of IUCN elected for 2016 – 2020. Dr. Suh worked for the Natural Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, as a Research Scientist (1990-1993) after he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
He has served on various committees related to biodiversity and environmental issues at both national and international levels. His service includes Co-chair of National Red List Committee of Korea (2012-2016), a Member of National Biodiversity Committee (2011-2015), National Committee of Borderland Development (2012–present), National Committee of Natural Monuments and Parks (2010-2012), Advisory Committee of Korea National Park Service (2008-2010), Advisory Committee of Jeju World Natural Heritage (2006-2010), Promotion Committee for Jeju World Natural Heritage (2004-2006), etc. He played a major role to host 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Korea. He also contributed as a key author of the 5th Korea’s National Report and Korea’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2014-2018 submitted to CBD COP 12. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the Chair of the Asia Regional Committee for IUCN for two terms. From 2013 to 2015, he served CBD SBSTTA as a Bureau Member.<
