Dr. Eunhee Lee | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Research Article Award
Dr. Eunhee Lee, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, K-MEDI hub, South Korea
Dr. Eun-Hee Lee, Ph.D., is a distinguished biomedical researcher with expertise in therapeutic ultrasound and neurobiology. Currently serving as Senior Researcher and Head of the Advanced Technology Department at the Medical Device Development Center, DGMIF, South Korea, she has consistently contributed to the advancement of focused ultrasound applications in neurological disorders. With over a decade of research experience spanning government institutions and clinical collaborations, Dr. Lee has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on brain delivery mechanisms, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Her pioneering studies have deepened our understanding of the blood-brain barrier and the therapeutic potential of ultrasound. Her work stands at the forefront of translational neuroscience, aiming to enhance drug delivery and brain repair mechanisms. Dr. Lee’s dedication to impactful and clinically relevant research makes her a strong contender for the Best Research Article Award.
Publication Profile:
✅ Strengths for the Award
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Innovative Research Focus:
Dr. Lee’s work on focused ultrasound (FUS)-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is at the cutting edge of neurotherapeutics and non-invasive brain drug delivery. Her investigations hold promise for treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injuries. -
Extensive Peer-Reviewed Publications:
With over 15 high-quality, peer-reviewed articles published from 2019 to 2024 in reputable journals like Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Biomedicines, her research output reflects consistent and impactful contributions. -
Interdisciplinary Approach:
Her integration of biomedical engineering, imaging, and neurobiology enhances the translational value of her findings. Numerical modeling and simulation studies further strengthen the clinical feasibility of her techniques. -
Clinical and Preclinical Impact:
Dr. Lee’s work bridges preclinical models (rats, skull simulations) with potential human applications, offering real translational pathways for drug delivery across the BBB. -
Leadership and Collaboration:
As the Head of the Advanced Technology Department at DGMIF, she demonstrates leadership in medical innovation and fosters collaboration between academia, hospitals, and research institutes.
⚠️ Areas for Improvement
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Greater International Collaboration:
While her work is deeply embedded in Korean institutions, expanding partnerships internationally could amplify her research reach and global influence. -
Clinical Trial Transition:
Much of her published work is preclinical. Advancing to clinical trials or human pilot studies would significantly increase the translational impact of her findings. -
Public Engagement and Visibility:
Enhanced visibility through global neuroscience or biomedical engineering conferences could further validate and showcase her research excellence.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Eun-Hee Lee received all her academic training from Chonnam National University, Kwangju, South Korea. She earned her Ph.D. (2007–2010) and M.S. (2005–2007) in Biological Sciences and Technology, gaining extensive knowledge in cellular and molecular biology. Her B.S. in Genetic Engineering (2001–2005) laid the groundwork for her interest in biomedical innovations and neurogenetics. During her graduate and doctoral studies, she focused on cellular pathways and gene expression relevant to neurodegenerative diseases and molecular interventions. Her academic journey shaped her multidisciplinary perspective, merging genetics, bioengineering, and neurobiology. These foundations have enabled her to pursue cutting-edge research on the blood-brain barrier, drug delivery systems, and brain stimulation. Dr. Lee’s strong academic background provides her with the theoretical and technical expertise essential for high-impact research.
🧪 Experience:
Dr. Eun-Hee Lee has more than 14 years of progressive research experience. Since 2017, she has led the Advanced Technology Department at DGMIF, where she develops novel medical devices using therapeutic ultrasound. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Scientist at the Korea Atomic Energy Institute’s Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (2015–2017), where she explored radiation-mediated biological responses. Between 2013 and 2015, she contributed to TB and molecular microbiology research at the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis. Her postdoctoral fellowship (2011–2012) at the NIH’s Division of HIV/AIDS and Tumor Viruses expanded her expertise into virology and immunopathology. Dr. Lee’s multidisciplinary roles across leading institutions demonstrate her adaptability, leadership, and commitment to translational science. Her professional trajectory shows strong contributions to national research priorities in healthcare and medical technology.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Eun-Hee Lee’s research centers on focused ultrasound (FUS) as a non-invasive modality for drug delivery and neural repair. Her work explores ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption to enhance targeted therapeutic access to the brain. She also investigates ultrasound stimulation’s effects on neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection in various neurological models including Alzheimer’s disease and spinal cord injury. Another significant area of focus includes numerical modeling of skull structures to improve the precision of transcranial FUS applications. Through collaborations with clinicians and physicists, Dr. Lee has produced evidence-based methodologies for safer, more effective BBB modulation. Her integrative approach, combining bioengineering, neuroimmunology, and computational simulation, is impactful in the field of therapeutic neuromodulation and has implications for treating neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
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🧠 Numerical Investigation of Layered Homogeneous Skull Model for Simulations of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound (2024)
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🔥 The New Insight into the Inflammatory Response Following Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption (2022)
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🧪 Methylene Blue Delivery via Focused Ultrasound Reduces Neural Damage and Amyloid-Beta by AQP-4 Upregulation (2022)
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🐀 Novel Animal Model of Spontaneous Cerebral Petechial Hemorrhage Using Focused Ultrasound in Rats (2022)
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♻️ Ultrasound Stimulation Improves Inflammation Resolution and Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury (2022)
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🚑 Relationship Between Treatment Types and BBB Disruption in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Two Case Reports (2022)
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🧲 Effects of Transducer Displacement on Focused Ultrasound in the Rat Brain (2022)
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📉 BBB Disruption After Syncope: A DCE-MRI Case Report (2021)
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🧪 Verification of BBB Disruption Using Rat Model with Human Skull (2021)
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💧 Localized Water Molecule Transport Modulation Post-FUS BBB Disruption (2021)
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🚨 DCE-MRI for Evaluating BBB Disruption in Traumatic Brain Injury: Review (2021)
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🧬 TREM2 Promotes Natural Killer Cell Development in pNK Cells (2021)
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🌿 Gintonin Enhances Donepezil Brain Delivery via LPA and VEGF Receptors (2021)
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🔄 Cyclophilin A is a Ligand for TREM2 in Myeloid Cells (2021)
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🧠 Local Differences in BBB Permeability Induced by Focused Ultrasound (2020)
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💉 Advanced FUS Protocol Improves Doxorubicin Delivery in Rat Brain (2019)
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🔄 FUS-Induced Diminished P-glycoprotein via JNK Pathway in Cerebral Vessels (2019)
🧾 Conclusion:
Dr. Eun-Hee Lee is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Research Article Award. Her work is scientifically rigorous, clinically relevant, and methodologically innovative. The focus on ultrasound-mediated drug delivery through the BBB is a transformative area in neuroscience and drug delivery technology. Her comprehensive research output, leadership, and translational potential strongly position her among top contenders for recognition. Encouraging clinical application and broader dissemination will only enhance the already substantial value of her contributions.