Jihyun Yu, PhD candidate
Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Republic of Korea
ICIS-PFIZER JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR AWARD WINNER AT CYTOKINES 2023
Jihyun Yu is a graduate student in Prof. You-Me Kim’s laboratory at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Korea. Her thesis research focuses on eosinophils and their modulation of immune responses in different organs under normal physiological conditions and in various diseases.
One of her important findings is the suppressive effect of eosinophils on neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma, achieved by preventing the emergence of pathogenic Siglec-Fhi neutrophils through a novel interaction between eosinophils and neutrophils. Additionally, she has discovered that the suppressive function of eosinophils is regulated by a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) receptor called GPR43. These findings suggest that the composition and metabolic function of gut microbiota may affect eosinophil functions via GPR43, ultimately impacting the progression of asthma.
Throughout her Ph.D. training, she has developed a passion for research and acquired various skills in molecular and cellular immunology. As a postdoctoral fellow, she plans to continue investigating novel mechanisms of interaction between immune cells and their impact on disease development. Her ultimate goal is to lead an academic research group and contribute to overcoming intractable diseases by advancing our understanding of fundamental immune-regulatory mechanisms and identifying new therapeutic targets.
