Professor, Gil Medical Center, Gachon university College of Medcine
Dr. Seong Son, M.D., Ph.D., is a distinguished neurosurgeon and Professor at the Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine in South Korea. Specializing in spine surgery, he has steadily advanced from internship to professorship, culminating in his current role as Director of the Spine Center. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Son’s clinical practice is supported by extensive academic involvement, numerous national and international affiliations, and a prolific publication record in minimally invasive spine techniques. His overseas training and visiting scholarship at UC Irvine further demonstrate his commitment to global medical excellence. A respected member of multiple neurosurgical and spinal societies, he contributes to the field through education, editorial duties, and cutting-edge research. His focus on minimally invasive spinal procedures continues to shape the field in South Korea and abroad.
Profile
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🔹 Education
Dr. Son began his medical journey at Gachon Medical School (2000–2006), earning his bachelor’s degree in medicine. He continued at Gachon University’s Graduate School for his master’s degree (2009–2012), developing foundational expertise in neurosurgery. He then pursued a Ph.D. at Inha University College of Medicine (2015–2018), focusing on advanced neurosurgical techniques and spine pathologies. He obtained his Korean medical license in 2006 and became a board-certified neurosurgeon in 2011. His educational path reflects a consistent focus on excellence in clinical training and academic development, equipping him with deep scientific and practical knowledge in spine surgery. His studies laid the groundwork for an impactful career that bridges clinical practice, surgical innovation, and academic leadership in neurosurgical sciences.
🔹 Experience
Dr. Seong Son has built a comprehensive clinical and academic career over nearly two decades. He started as an intern (2006–2007) and resident (2007–2011) in neurosurgery at Gil Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in the Spine Center (2011–2013). He served as Assistant Professor in trauma and spine neurosurgery (2013–2020), then advanced to Associate Professor (2020–2025), and became a full Professor in 2025. Since July 2024, he also serves as Director of the Spine Center. Internationally trained at institutions in the U.S., Germany, and Singapore, Dr. Son combines surgical practice with education, research, and leadership. His role has expanded from clinician to academic authority and institutional leader, shaping both patient outcomes and the future of neurosurgical training in South Korea.
🔹 Awards and Honors
While specific named awards are not listed, Dr. Seong Son’s honors are embedded in his progressive academic appointments, international fellowships, and scholarly roles. His overseas training, including the ASSET course at LAC+USC, a fellowship at Singapore’s National University Hospital, and a visiting scholarship at UC Irvine, highlight global recognition of his skills. His membership in premier societies like NASS and KOMISS, and his role on the editorial board of JMISST, further reflect his high professional standing. His contributions to leading textbooks and his appointment as Director of the Spine Center signify his excellence and leadership in spine surgery. These collective achievements serve as marks of peer respect, international collaboration, and recognition in academic neurosurgery.
🔹 Research Focus
Dr. Son’s research centers on minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal trauma, degenerative disorders, and advanced surgical techniques for cervical and lumbar regions. His extensive contributions to surgical textbooks highlight his expertise in anterior cervical approaches, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and geriatric spine care. As a member of multiple spinal societies, his work emphasizes clinical innovation, procedural safety, and functional outcomes in spine surgery. His studies contribute to optimizing patient recovery and reducing surgical invasiveness, enhancing long-term spine health. Dr. Son actively integrates evidence-based practice with cutting-edge research to shape the evolving standards of spinal neurosurgery in both Korean and international contexts.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Seong Son stands out as a highly skilled clinician-researcher in spine surgery with a robust academic and clinical background. His expertise in minimally invasive techniques, leadership roles, and international exposure position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. However, to fully align with global standards for research excellence, greater visibility through high-impact publications, grant leadership, and quantitative metrics would further strengthen his candidacy. Overall, he is a deserving nominee, particularly in clinically driven and translational research categories.
Publication
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Title: Development of an Exercise Rehabilitation Functional Group for Individualized Exercise After Lumbar Spine Surgery
Authors: Seong Son, Han Byeol Park, Chan Jong Yoo, Moon-Hee Kim, Byung Rhae Yoo, Jae Ang Sim
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/life15060943
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Title: Comparison of the Efficacy of Zoledronate and Denosumab in Patients with Acute Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Seong Son, Michael Y. Oh, Byung-Rhae Yoo, Han-Byeol Park
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13072040
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Title: Outcome of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy in Relation to the Surgeon’s Experience: Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Seong Son, Michael Y. Oh, Han Byeol Park, Alexander M. Lopez
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11040312
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Title: Digital therapeutics-based lumbar core exercise for patients with low back pain: A prospective exploratory pilot study
Authors: Seong Son, Byung Rhae Yoo, Yu Mi Jeong
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231218154
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Title: Low-Energy Transcranial Navigation-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Neuropathic Pain: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Dong Hoon Shin, Seong Son, Eun Young Kim
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13101433
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Title: Efficacy of Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy in Elderly Patients Over 65 Years of Age Compared to Young Adults
Authors: Seong Son, Byung Rhae Yoo, Hee Jeong Kim, Sung Kyu Song, Yong Ahn
Year: 2023
Link: https://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2346192.096
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Title: Comparison of adjacent segment disease after minimally invasive versus open lumbar fusion: a minimum 10-year follow-up
Authors: Jeong, Tae Seok; Son, Seong; Lee, Sang Gu; Ahn, Yong; Jung, Jong Myung; Yoo, Byung Rhae
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.3171/2021.7.SPINE21408
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Title: Comparison of Lateral Interbody Fusion and Posterior Interbody Fusion for Discogenic Low Back Pain
Authors: Kim, Woo Kyung; Son, Seong; Lee, Sang Gu; Jung, Jong Myung; Yoo, Byung Rhae
Year: 2022
Link: https://doi.org/10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.35063-21.3