Changyu Lee AI Engineer
Hello! I am an Applied AI Engineer & currently M.S. candidate in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) at the University of Southern California (USC).
Before joining USC, I received dual B.S. degrees in Smart ICT Convergence and Smart Vehicle Engineering from Konkuk University under Prof. Sangho Kim in 2024.
I previously worked as a research engineer at Nestyle Intelligence collarborating with KAIST AI DAVIAN Lab. under Prof. Jaegul Choo, and served as a visiting researcher at Sejong University Graduate School of Metaverse.
✨ Curious about Chan?
Ask me anything about my research, projects, or experience. My AI assistant is here to help!
Education
Path to Growth
MS Student in CSAI
University of Southern California
BS Student in CS
Konkuk University
Experience
Connecting Dots
Researcher
Integrated Media Systems Center, USC
- Joined USC IMSC research team under Dr. Seon Ho Kim.
- Exploring Geospatial Information × Vision-Language Models (VLMs).
- Beginning first master’s research project with focus on spatial intelligence.
- Aiming to build LLMs that understand 3D spatial environments.
Research Engineer
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology · Internship
Research Engineer
NESTYLE · Full-time
- Developed an AI-assisted web-novel writing platform by leveraging RAG processes and achieved over 50 % reduction in maximum token usage by Prompt Engineering.
- Fine-tuned Hugging Face open-source models specialized for web novels and implemented Tools / Function Calling features to validate the concept of fully automated novel-generation AI agents.
- Led end-to-end system engineering and back-end API development, resulting in ~40 % average monthly user growth (for 1 year after launch) and 2 000 generated novels.
Visiting Researcher
Sejong University · Part-time
- Conducted user-experience (UX) research, focusing on emotional or empathetic experiences in virtual worlds.
- Led the development of Buddyz as a Unity programmer – a VR game designed to promote stray-dog adoption.
Researcher
Morphing I Inc. · Internship
- Engaged in R&D planning and execution in Metaverse, AI, and Blockchain domains.
- Key achievements include developing a Proof of Concept for an NFT Metaverse Gallery (National IT Industry Promotion Agency grant $0.2 M, 2022) and contributing to the AI Learning Data Construction Support Project by accumulating data on Jeju Island’s water-supply pipes using biomimetic robots (grant $1 M, 2023).
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Konkuk University · Full-time
- Conducted research on user-centric augmented-reality (AR) applications for efficient unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) operation, focusing on intuitive and interactive interfaces.
- Fine-tuned object-detection models for UAV precision landing and performed building extraction from remote-sensing images.
- Participated in the project for fixed-wing-type air mobility capable of VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing).
Honors & Awards
A collection of some awards and honors recognizing my achievements in academics, research, and various activities.
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Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Fellow - National Top AI Talent selected by Korea Government
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U.S. Army Achievement Medal
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Awarded by U.S. Army for outstanding service and leadership.
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Certificate of Achievement
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Recognized for excellence by U.S. Army command leadership.
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Konkuk University Global Leader Scholarship - Full-ride Tuition Exemption
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Awarded to top 1–2% of incoming students for outstanding academic excellence.
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Grand Prize, International Personal Air Vehicle Technology Competition
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Recognized for developing an autonomous VTOL aircraft with AI vision.
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Excellence Award, 2023 Metaverse Developer Competition
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Built a metaverse art auction platform combining AI and blockchain.
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KU Super Rookie Fellowship
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Awarded as Certified Talents of Konkuk University
Press & News
Discover featured articles and news stories covering my accomplishments and participation in various events.
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[Konkuk University] Bridging Virtual and Real in the XR Era: An Interview with Changyu Lee, Korean Government Scholarship Fellow
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Prompt-er Day Seoul 2023 (2023.09.25)
Hosted by OpenAI & SK Telecom
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[JoongAng Ilbo] Patents, startups... Spotlight on the 'Super Rookie' Innovation Talent Program (2023.02.22)
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[JoongAng Ilbo LA] "Contributing to society through data analysis" — Korean American Software Hackathon event (2022.07.26)
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[NEWSIS] Konkuk University’s ‘KU:AR’ team wins Grand Prize at International PAV Technology Competition in Sacheon
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[Gyeonggi Ilbo] [ZDNet Korea] Gyeonggi Content Agency’s 2022 Metaverse Academy Hackathon — Grand Prize awarded to ‘COCO’
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[Konkuk University PR Office] Konkuk University holds awards ceremony for the 2021 KU Medical Hackathon (2021.10.20)
Others
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Advisors and mentors I hold in the highest regard
Prof. Sangho Kim, Konkuk Univ.
Prof. Yonggyun Lee, Nestyle Intelligence
Prof. Jakyoung Min, Sejong Univ.
Prof. Jeongheon Seo, Konkuk Univ.
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My Faithful Vision for 2025
To walk the path prepared by God with integrity of heart and skillful hands.
Life-time verse: Matthew 16:16
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My Hobby? Working Out!!
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Big Fan of ‘Silica Gel‘ & E-SENS
No Pain by Silica Gel
Unknown Verses by E SENS