Boaz Mohar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Boaz Mohar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Boaz Mohar , HHMI Janelia Reseach Campus , United States

Boaz Mohar is a research scientist at Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Ashburn, VA. He has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly in the areas of synaptic plasticity, neuronal imaging, and cellular mechanisms in brain function. Throughout his career, Boaz has collaborated with leading scientists, including Dr. Karel Svoboda and Dr. Nelson Spruston. His research has focused on the intricate processes that underlie learning and memory, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as two-photon calcium imaging and expansion microscopy. Boaz’s work has been published in high-impact journals, and he continues to push the boundaries of neuroscience research through his innovative methods and interdisciplinary approach. His extensive experience as both a researcher and mentor makes him a prominent figure in his field, as he actively contributes to advancing scientific knowledge while mentoring the next generation of neuroscientists.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

Boaz Mohar is highly deserving of the Researcher of the Year award due to his exceptional scientific contributions, innovative research methods, and leadership in the field of neuroscience. His work spans groundbreaking studies on brain-wide synaptic plasticity, cellular imaging techniques, and calcium sensor development, contributing to a deeper understanding of neural activity and brain function. His numerous high-impact publications, particularly in Nature Methods, eLife, and Nature Neuroscience, reflect his scientific rigor and ability to advance the field. Furthermore, his skill in mentoring and fostering the next generation of researchers through his mentoring roles and collaborative projects further highlights his leadership and commitment to advancing neuroscience.

Areas for Improvement:

While Boaz’s body of work is impressive, focusing on expanding his outreach and collaboration with interdisciplinary fields could further enhance his contributions. Diversifying research areas could broaden the impact of his work. Additionally, increasing his participation in conferences or expanding his presence in global collaborations might provide further opportunities for recognition and growth in the scientific community.

Education:

Boaz Mohar completed his doctoral studies and received his post-doctoral training at Janelia Research Campus, HHMI, under the guidance of Dr. Karel Svoboda and Dr. Nelson Spruston. He was awarded the prestigious HHMI’s Janelia Research Visiting Student Fellowship from 2015 to 2016, which facilitated his early involvement in advanced neuroscience research. Boaz’s academic training also includes a strong foundation in neuroscience, particularly focusing on neurobiology, brain function, and synaptic mechanisms. His rigorous educational background allowed him to hone his skills in diverse experimental techniques, including two-photon calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and histological analysis. His Ph.D. work provided him with a deep understanding of sensory processing in the brain and synaptic plasticity, laying the groundwork for his subsequent impactful research projects. Through this formal education and hands-on experience, Boaz has become a leading researcher and mentor in his field.

Experience:

Boaz Mohar has a distinguished research career, currently serving as a research scientist at Janelia Research Campus, HHMI, where he works on advancing our understanding of brain-wide synaptic plasticity. Prior to this role, he was a Post-doctoral Associate at the same institution from 2016 to 2022, contributing to numerous groundbreaking projects in neuroscience. He has collaborated with renowned scientists such as Dr. Karel Svoboda and Dr. Nelson Spruston, applying advanced imaging and electrophysiological techniques to study synaptic dynamics and brain activity. His prior role as a visiting student further solidified his reputation as an expert in cutting-edge neuroscience tools and methodologies. Additionally, Boaz has extensive mentoring experience, having supervised PhD students, summer scholars, and external research projects, demonstrating his leadership in fostering the next generation of scientists. His work spans various technical aspects, including super-resolution microscopy, calcium imaging, and in vivo recordings.

Awards and Honors:

Boaz Mohar has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, showcasing his significant contributions to neuroscience research. He was honored with the HHMI’s Janelia Research Visiting Student Fellowship (2015-2016), which provided vital support for his early research endeavors. Boaz also received the President of Israel Excellence in Neuroscience Prize in 2013, a testament to his exceptional academic potential and research accomplishments. This award recognized his innovative contributions to neuroscience, further solidifying his reputation in the scientific community. In addition to these accolades, Boaz has been actively involved in professional activities, such as independent reviewing for various high-impact journals and co-reviewing for renowned publications like Neuron, Science, and The Journal of Neuroscience. These awards and professional involvements highlight his excellence as a researcher and his role in advancing the field of neuroscience through his work and mentorship.

Research Focus:

Boaz Mohar’s research is primarily focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and brain function. His work utilizes advanced imaging techniques, such as two-photon calcium imaging and expansion microscopy, to investigate brain-wide synaptic protein turnover and its role in learning and memory. Boaz’s projects are centered around understanding how neuronal activity shapes synaptic connections and contributes to learning-related plasticity. He is particularly interested in the spatial and temporal dynamics of synaptic proteins during brain activity. By exploring the connections between dendritic activity, cellular structure, and synaptic changes, his research aims to provide insights into how the brain processes and stores information. Additionally, Boaz’s work extends into the development and optimization of novel tools and techniques, including high-performance calcium sensors and super-resolution imaging, to better study neural circuits and synaptic transmission. His innovative approaches have the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of the brain’s function.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Brainwide measurement of synaptic protein turnover reveals localized plasticity during learning 🧠📊

  2. Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy 🧬🔬

  3. Glutamate indicators with improved activation kinetics and localization for imaging synaptic transmission 💡🧠

  4. Cytoskeleton Elements Contribute to Prion Peptide-Induced Endothelial Barrier Breakdown in a Blood–Brain Barrier In Vitro System ⚙️🧬

  5. Visualizing cellular and tissue ultrastructure using Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy (TREx) 🔬🔍

  6. Meningeal lymphoid structures are activated under acute and chronic spinal cord pathologies 🧠⚡

  7. A general method to optimize and functionalize red-shifted rhodamine dyes 🎨🧫

  8. Functional clustering of dendritic activity during decision-making 🧠🧩

  9. High-performance calcium sensors for imaging activity in neuronal populations and microcompartments 🧪💡

  10. Sensitive red protein calcium indicators for imaging neural activity 🧬💻

  11. Video-rate volumetric functional imaging of the brain at synaptic resolution 🎥🧠

  12. Local and thalamic origins of correlated ongoing and sensory-evoked cortical activities 🧠🔊

Conclusion:

Dr. Boaz Mohar is an exceptionally talented scientist whose innovative work is pushing the boundaries of neuroscience and neuroimaging. His research on synaptic function and neuronal signaling has the potential to unlock critical insights into brain activity and disorders. His track record of prestigious awards, high-impact publications, and mentorship makes him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While further expanding his outreach and translating his work into clinical settings could enhance the real-world impact of his research, his current contributions already position him as one of the top leaders in neuroscience today.

Jung Ho Hyun | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jung Ho Hyun | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun , Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) , South Korea

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Korea. His research focuses on neurophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, and molecular tools for studying neural activity. He earned his Ph.D. in Physiology from Seoul National University (SNU) in 2015, after completing a Master’s in the same field at SNU. Dr. Hyun’s academic career includes significant research experience at prestigious institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. His work has led to important insights into memory, cognitive flexibility, and neuronal activity. Dr. Hyun is dedicated to mentoring young scientists and sharing his knowledge through invited lectures worldwide. His contributions to neuroscience have made a significant impact, evidenced by numerous publications in renowned journals.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun is a highly accomplished and innovative researcher with significant contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly in understanding neuronal activity and cognitive processes. His research focuses on cutting-edge topics such as memory, cognitive flexibility, and the development of molecular tools for neuronal manipulation. His ability to integrate molecular biology with neurophysiology has advanced the scientific community’s understanding of brain function, making his work highly relevant for both basic science and clinical applications. Dr. Hyun’s leadership and mentoring roles have also fostered future generations of neuroscientists, further solidifying his impact in the field.

Notable accomplishments include several prestigious awards and travel grants, invited lectures at international conferences, and a strong publication record in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and The Journal of Physiology. His involvement in interdisciplinary research and development of novel techniques for manipulating neural circuits positions him as a leading figure in his field.

Areas for Improvement:

While Dr. Hyun has demonstrated tremendous research capabilities, one area for growth could be expanding his research collaborations to interdisciplinary fields such as computational neuroscience, which may further enhance the translation of his findings to clinical and therapeutic applications. In addition, as his work continues to gain prominence, a greater focus on the application of his research to the treatment of neurological diseases could increase the broader societal impact of his work.

Education:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pusan National University, South Korea, in 2007. He then pursued graduate studies at Seoul National University (SNU) College of Medicine, earning his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physiology in 2010. Following this, he continued his research journey and obtained a Ph.D. in Physiology from SNU in 2015 under the supervision of Dr. Suk-Ho Lee. Dr. Hyun’s strong academic foundation provided him with the tools to delve deeply into neurophysiology and molecular neuroscience. His educational journey has led to groundbreaking research at the intersection of memory, neuronal activity, and cognitive behavior. He has continuously built on his academic foundation with collaborative research experiences at leading global institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

Experience:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Brain Sciences at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea. Prior to this, he was a JHU Research Fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he contributed to important projects on cognitive neuroscience and neuronal activity. Dr. Hyun has also been involved in significant research activities at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. His primary research focus includes molecular tools for recording and manipulating neuronal activity, and understanding the molecular underpinnings of cognitive flexibility. In his academic career, he has not only contributed to cutting-edge research but has also been an educator, lecturing on human physiology and neuroimaging techniques. As a mentor, Dr. Hyun has guided students and researchers, cultivating future scientists in the field of neuroscience.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2021, he was awarded the Travel Award at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society. His work has also been recognized with the 2019 Gill Symposium Travel Award, which supported his research contributions at a global level. In 2018, he received the Korean American Society in Biotech and Pharmaceuticals Fellowship Award, recognizing his outstanding research contributions in the field of neuroscience. Dr. Hyun was also granted the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Travel Grant in 2018, facilitating further academic collaborations. These honors reflect the recognition and respect Dr. Hyun has earned within the scientific community, underscoring his commitment to advancing neuroscience research. His consistent pursuit of excellence is further exemplified by his leadership in mentoring and scientific outreach efforts.

Research Focus:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun’s research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility, memory, and complex behavioral processes. His work explores how memory is stored and retrieved in the brain and how neural circuits contribute to cognitive processes such as decision-making and behavioral flexibility. Dr. Hyun’s lab utilizes molecular tools, including genetically encoded calcium indicators, to track and manipulate neuronal activity at the cellular and circuit level. One of his key areas of focus is understanding how neural populations encode and process information, particularly in regions like the orbitofrontal cortex. His research aims to uncover how manipulating neural ensembles can help treat brain illnesses and disorders. Dr. Hyun’s contributions to the development of new methods to study neural activity have positioned him at the forefront of neurophysiological research, with significant potential for clinical applications.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Eom K#, Kim D#, Hyun JH* (2025) “Engram and behavior: How memory is stored in the brain.” 🧠📚 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.
  2. Eom K, Jung J#, Kim B#, Hyun JH* (2024) “Molecular tools for recording and intervention of neuronal activity.” 🧬🔬 Molecules and Cells.
  3. Hyun JH, Hannan P, Iwamoto H, Blakely R, Kwon H-B (2023) “Serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex enhances cognitive flexibility.” 🧠💡 bioRxiv.
  4. Hyun JH#, Nagahama K#, Ho N#, Mignocchi N, Roh S-E, Hannan P, Krüssel S, Kwak C, McElroy A, Liu B, Cui M, Lee S, Lee D, Huganir RL, Worley PF, Sawa A, Kwon H-B (2022) “Tagging active neurons by soma-targeted Cal-Light.” 🔦🧬 Nature Communications.
  5. Eom K#, Lee HR#, Hyun JH, Ryu H-H, Lee Y-S, Ho W-K, Lee S-H (2021) “Gradual decorrelation of CA3 ensembles associated with contextual discrimination learning is impaired by Kv1.2 insufficiency.” 🔬📊 Hippocampus.

Conclusion:

Dr. Jung Ho Hyun is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his innovative research, exceptional contributions to neuroscience, and strong leadership. His multidisciplinary approach to understanding cognitive flexibility and memory, along with his pioneering use of molecular tools to study neural circuits, sets him apart as a leader in his field.