Hyung-Lok Chung, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College
Director, Drosophila Functional Core in Houston Methodist
Assistant Professor, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Texas A&M College of Medicine
Scientific Advisor, The Mitchell and Friends Foundation
Biography
My research focuses on the impact of lipids on neurodegeneration in non-neuronal cells, particularly in relation to neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). I have identified potential therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. In previous studies, I proposed a model for MS in fruit flies, discovering that certain lipids are converted into S1P by glia, triggering neuroinflammation. Targeting the S1P pathway in glia can alleviate these effects, suggesting a potential treatment avenue for MS. During my postdoctoral fellowship, I used fruit flies as a model to study human neurological diseases, playing a key role in the NIH’s Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). I have published 22 papers, including 8 as first author, and received recognition for my contributions. As an Assistant Professor of Genetics at Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College, I am dedicated to developing therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases such as MS using the fruit fly model
Academic History
2023 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, Postdoctoral Fellow
2016 Republic of Korea, Ph.D in Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)
2011 Republic of Korea, B.S. in Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)
Awards
2024 President’s Award for Excellence in Peer-Reviewed Publication, Houston Methodist Academic Institute
2023 Prof. Tong H. Joh Research Innovation Award, Association of Korean Neuroscientists
2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Peer-Reviewed Publication, Houston Methodist Academic Institute
2021 Warren Alpert Scholar Award, Warren Alpert Foundation
2021 Dean’s Award for Excellence, DMHG, BCM
2021 Best Paper Award, DMHG, BCM
2018 Best Speaker Award, 12th KSEA West Gulf Coast Regional Conference, MD Anderson, Houston
2016 Global Postdoctoral Award, National Research Foundation, Korea
2016 Best Doctoral Thesis Award, Department of Biological Science, KAIST