We are deeply honoured to welcome Dr. Yu-Hwan Ahn as a Keynote Speaker at the 4th FAR4ViBE Conference 2026. Dr. Ahn is a distinguished ocean scientist and a world-renowned pioneer in ocean satellite remote sensing, recognized for his monumental contributions to global oceanographic observation at the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST).

Dr. Ahn is best known for leading the development of Korea's Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI / Chullian) ocean satellite. Launched in 2010, GOCI was the world's very first geostationary ocean color satellite. This groundbreaking mission revolutionized how ocean scientists monitor marine environments, enabling hourly, high-resolution observations of the East Asian seas that were previously impossible with polar-orbiting satellites.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ahn has been instrumental in bridging space technology and marine science. He spearheaded the design of the GOCI Data Processing System (GDPS), developing advanced algorithms to measure chlorophyll-a concentrations, suspended sediment dynamics, and dissolved organic matter. His work has significantly improved global capabilities in marine disaster forecasting, red tide tracking, fisheries management, and climate change monitoring.

Beyond his work on the initial GOCI mission, Dr. Ahn has been heavily involved in shaping the future of geostationary remote sensing, leading user requirement studies and scientific goals for its successor, GOCI-II. His participation at the FAR4ViBE Conference 2026 highlights the critical role of space-based technology and remote sensing in managing the Blue Economy and preserving marine biodiversity.