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:
- Eom K#, Kim D#, Hyun JH* (2025) “Engram and behavior: How memory is stored in the brain.” 🧠📚 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.
- Eom K, Jung J#, Kim B#, Hyun JH* (2024) “Molecular tools for recording and intervention of neuronal activity.” 🧬🔬 Molecules and Cells.
- Hyun JH, Hannan P, Iwamoto H, Blakely R, Kwon H-B (2023) “Serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex enhances cognitive flexibility.” 🧠💡 bioRxiv.
- 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.
- 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.