PHD at New York University, New York, U.S.A.
Dr. Yun Kyung Kim, a Principal Research Scientist at the Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST), specializes in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from New York University and has held positions at institutions like the National University of Singapore and Institute Pasteur Korea. With a focus on Alzheimer’s and tauopathies, her research spans bio-imaging probe development, ER stress sensing, and disease-modifying drug exploration. Recognized for her contributions, she has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science Excellence. Dr. Kim is also a Professor at the University of Science and Technology (UST), shaping future biomedical scientists.
Professional Profiles
Education
B.S. in Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 1997-2001 M.S. in Biological Sciences, KAIST, 2002-2005 Ph.D. in Chemistry, New York University, New York, U.S.A., 2005-2009
Experience
Research Fellow, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 2007-2009 (Bio-imaging probe development) Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute Pasteur Korea, 2010 (Research on neurodegenerative diseases) Principal Research Scientist, Brain Science Institute, KIST, 2018-present Senior Research Scientist, Brain Science Institute, KIST, 2010-2017 Professor, Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, University of Science and Technology (UST), 2021-present Associate Professor, Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, UST, 2012-2020
Awards
KIST R&D Expo Pioneership, 2014 KIST Awards of the Month, November 2015 KIST Unsung Heroin, 2017 KIST Young-Fellow, 2018 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science Excellence, Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea, 2018 KIST Best Research Team, 2020 KIST Awards of the Month, February 2020 KIST-Grand Prize, 2021 Best Lecture Award, UST KIST School, 2022
Research Focuse
Yun Kyung Kim’s research focus primarily lies in the field of neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease and tauopathies. Her work includes the development of neuron-selective probes for live neuronal membrane imaging, investigation of structural determinants for kinase activation in tauopathies, and exploration of potential disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Additionally, Kim has contributed to understanding ER stress sensing mechanisms in mammals. Her research spans from molecular and cellular levels to potential therapeutic interventions, aiming to unravel the underlying mechanisms and develop novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment. Neurodegeneration
Publications
- Levosimendan inhibits disulfide tau oligomerization and ameliorates tau pathology in TauP301L-BiFC mice, Publication date: 2023.
- An amphiphilic material arginine–arginine–bile acid promotes α-synuclein amyloid formation†, Publication date: 2023.
- Tailoring Hydrophobicity of Thioflavin T to Optimize Aβ Fibril Bioimaging, Publication date: 2023.
- Synthesis and biological evaluation of indane-based fluorescent probes for detection of amyloid-β aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease, Publication date: 2023.
- Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9-mediated gene delivery of Nurr1 and Foxa2 ameliorates symptoms and pathologies of Alzheimer disease model mice by suppressing neuro-inflammation and glial pathology, Publication date: 2023.
- Amisulpride as a potential disease-modifying drug in the treatment of tauopathies, Publication date: 2023.
- Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9-mediated gene delivery of Nurr1 and Foxa2 ameliorates symptoms and pathologies of Alzheimer disease model mice by suppressing neuro-inflammation and glial pathology, Publication date: 2023.
- N-recognins UBR1 and UBR2 as central ER stress sensors in mammals, Publication date: 2024.
- NeuM: A Neuron-Selective Probe Incorporates into Live Neuronal Membranes via Enhanced Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis in Primary Neurons, Publication date: 2023.
- Structural determinants for activation of the Tau kinase CDK5 by the serotonin receptor 5-HT7R, Publication date: 2024.
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