Professor Hwang Woo-suk, who is credited with the first-ever extraction of stem cells from cloned human embryos, is likely to be designated the nation's "Best Scientist."

The Ministry of Science and Technology said Friday that the Best Scientist Committee will convene a meeting next week and select one scientist among 20 candidates recommended by science-related associations and groups.

A ministry official said that Prof. Hwang is almost certain to become the first of some ten scientists who will be accorded the title in the future.

Hwang recently stunned the world for a second time by producing patient-specific embryonic stem cells in a major advance in the treatment of incurable diseases.

The Best Scientist designation would grant the honoree research funds of up to three billion won in addition to money for purchasing research equipment and facilities and maintaining a laboratory staff of up to one-hundred researchers.