Jong Yoon, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Associate Professor

Jong Yoon, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Associate Professor

Dr. Jong Yoon is an associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering program and previously served as the program coordinator from 2019 to 2024. Before joining the School of STEM at UW Bothell in 2014, he worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Qatar University from 2009 to 2014. He began his professional career as a research engineer at Samsung Electro-Mechanics (1997–2001) in South Korea, where he specialized in designing precision motors for optical and information devices, following the completion of his undergraduate degree and military service.

Education

  • University of Washington, Seattle, WA
    • Ph.D. – Mechanical Engineering
    • M.S. – Mechanical Engineering
  • Hong Ik University, Seoul, Korea
    • B.S. – Mechanical Engineering

Courses

  • B ME 221 Statics
  • B ME 223 Dynamics
  • B ME 301 Introductory Seminar for Mechanical Engineering
  • B ME 315 Intro to 3D Modeling, Design, and Analysis
  • B ME 343 Mechanical Systems Design III
  • B ME 460 Introduction to Mechatronics

Teaching Interests

Mechatronics, System Dynamics, Control Systems, Robotics

Research and Scholarship Interests

Dr. Yoon’s research focuses on the design and development of mechatronic systems, with a strong emphasis on their use in biomedical applications. At his Smart Medical Devices Lab, his team is involved in the design, simulation, fabrication, and testing of a range of intelligent devices. Their current research is concentrated in three main areas: 1) Medical diagnostic devices and robotic systems for surgery, 2) assistive technology solutions, and 3) rehabilitation and field robotics.

Peer-reviewed publications

① used to denote student authors

  • In-Kyu Lee, Sung-Yun Lee, W. Jong Yoon, Sang-Kon Lee, “Numerical investigation of the effect of backtension load on bar drawing process,” Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology (JAMET), Vol. 49, No. 5, pp. 362~369, 2025.
  • W. Jong Yoon,” Investigating the Impact of an Engineering-based Junior-level Computer Aided Design (CAD) course in Engineering Education,” The Engineering Design Graphics Journal (EDGJ), Volume 87, 2024, ISSN: 1949-9167.
  • W. Jong Yoon, Maria Barrios①, Eric Mendoza①, Pierre Mourad, “Design and Optimization of a Collaborative Robot-Assisted Ultrasound Imaging for Automated Vascular Diagnosis,” 20th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots (UR), June 25-28, 2023.
  • John-John Cabibihan, Ahmad Yaser Alhaddad, Tauseef Gulrez, and W. Jong Yoon, “Influence of Visual and Haptic Feedback on the Detection of Threshold Forces in a Surgical Grasping Task,” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, RA-L. VOL. 6, NO. 3, pp.5525-5532, 2021.
  • Nicholas deGrasse①, W. Jong Yoon, “A foldable Wheelchair Seat for Easier Restroom Access,” RESNA 2021 Annual Conference, February 12, 2021.
  • PI, Engineering Information Foundation (Program: Enhancing Communication in Engineering, A New Initiative for Enhancing Communication Skills: A Collaborative Teaching model between Four-year Engineering Programs and Two-year Technical Institutions, 2025-2026.
  • PI, Department of Labor & Industries Safety & Health Investment Projects (SHIP) Grant, A Comparative Study of Different Wheelchair-toilet Transfer Approaches to Reduce Caregiver’s Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2023-2026.
  • PI, Scholarship, Research, and Creative Practice (SRCP) Grant, Development of a Collaborative Robot‐Assisted Ultrasound System for CPR, 2024-2025.
  • 2025, Academic Engineer of the Year, Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC)
  • 2025, Faculty advisor, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Student Section Achievement Award, ASME UWB student section
  • 2023 -2024, Recipient of the UW Bothell Midcareer Faculty Fellowship
  • 2017-2018, Amazon Catalyst Fellow
  • W. Jong Yoon, Sang-gyeun Ahn, Compact Modular Ramp-Based Elevation Kit for Transforming Standard Wheelchairs Into Over-Toilet Designs, USPTO, Application # 63/934,160, UW Ref. No. 50573.01US1, Dec. 8, 2025.
  • W. Jong Yoon, Sang-gyeun Ahn, Multifunction Toilet Wheelchair, USPTO, Patent No.: US 11,793,695 B2, Date of Patent: Oct. 24, 2023.
  • Tauseef Gulrez, W. Jong Yoon, Cutaneous Haptic Feedback System and Methods of Use, USPTO, Patent No.: US9,946,350 B2, Date of Patent: April 17, 2018.
  • W. Jong Yoon, Eric Seibel, Matthew (Matt) Burkhardt, Timothy Soper, Image-Based Feedback Endoscopy System, USPTO, Patent No. US 10130243 B2, Date of Patent: Nov. 20, 2018.

I have mentored more than forty undergraduate and graduate research students in my lab at UW Bothell, actively involving them in research and creative projects.

  • 2022 – present, Faculty advisor, UWB Eco Car Club at UW Bothell
  • 2016 – present, Faculty advisor, ASME Student Chapter at UW Bothell
  • 2016 – present, Faculty advisor, TrickFire Robotics Club, UW Bothell

As the advisor of four student chapters and engineering clubs, I have facilitated a range of activities and opportunities for student engagement.

  • 2023 – present, Committee member, the UW’s inaugural Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property, Policy and Practice (ACIP3)
  • 2026-2027, Mentor, The UW Bothell Engineering & Tech Scholars (BETS) Program
  • 2026-2028, The STEM representative for the Campus Council for Planning and Budget (CCPB)
  • 2019 – 2024, Program Coordinator, Mechanical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Mathematics
  • 2023-2024, Chair, UW Tacoma School of Engineering & Technology Program Review Committee
  • 2021 – present, Mentor, Hannam Design Factory, Hannam University, Korea,
  • 2015 – 2019, Chapter president, Korean American Engineers and Scientists Association (KSEA), Seattle Chapter
  • 2002 – present, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • 2005 – present, Korean American Engineers and Scientists Association (KSEA)
  • 2016 – 2023, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • 2021-2022, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society (RESNA)
  • 2014-2020, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
  • 2010-2016, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)