Hyo Jin Yoon | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Molecular Biologist

Ms. Hyo Jin Yoon | Genetics | Best Researcher Award 

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Staff member, at National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS), South Korea.

Hyo Jin Yoon is an accomplished Clinical Laboratory Scientist with over 15 years of expertise in cytogenetics and biological dosimetry. Based at the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS), she plays a pivotal role in advancing diagnostic and emergency response strategies in radiation exposure cases. Her professional journey includes significant roles at Yonsei University Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital. She has been instrumental in developing DiCADE, an AI-driven software for dicentric chromosome analysis, enhancing the accuracy and speed of biodosimetric assessments. A certified ASCPi-IMLT professional, she also serves as a KOLAS Technical Expert for ISO 15189. Through her multidisciplinary approach combining clinical practice, research, and innovation, Hyo Jin continues to elevate global standards in radiation emergency medicine. 🌍🧪💡

Professional Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education 

Hyo Jin began her academic journey in clinical pathology by earning an associate degree from Daejeon Health College, which laid a strong foundation in laboratory sciences. She furthered her education at Eulji University, completing bachelor’s-level coursework with a specialization in medical laboratory technology. Her dedication to professional growth led her to earn the prestigious ASCPi-IMLT certification in 2012, an internationally recognized credential in medical laboratory science. Her continuous pursuit of learning has enabled her to integrate traditional laboratory practices with modern innovations in AI-based diagnostics. 📚👩‍🔬🎓

💼 Experience 

With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years, Hyo Jin Yoon has made significant contributions across clinical, academic, and research domains. She began her professional tenure at Yonsei University Medical Center and later at St. Mary’s Hospital, gaining frontline diagnostic experience in clinical pathology. Since 2015, she has been a core member of the Laboratory of Biodosimetry at KIRAMS-NREME, where she is actively engaged in radiation biodosimetry, diagnostics, and AI-integrated tool development. Her practical insights have been crucial in enhancing laboratory standards and emergency response protocols in radiation medicine. Additionally, as a KOLAS Technical Expert (ISO 15189), she ensures quality and compliance in laboratory operations. 🏥🧬🛡️

🔬 Research Interest

Hyo Jin’s research interests lie at the intersection of cytogenetics, radiation biodosimetry, and medical AI applications. Her core focus is on developing diagnostic tools that improve the biological dose assessment of radiation exposure, particularly during emergencies. Her innovative work on DiCADE—a semi-automated AI-powered dicentric chromosome analysis system—demonstrates her commitment to precision diagnostics. She is deeply involved in international collaboration networks such as RENEB and works with partners like Health Canada and Hirosaki University. Her current research also involves harmonizing scoring standards for cytogenetic assays across biodosimetry networks in South Korea. Her interdisciplinary interests aim to make radiation response faster, more accurate, and globally standardized. 🤖🔎📈

🏆 Awards & Recognitions 

Hyo Jin Yoon’s pioneering work in the field of radiation biodosimetry has earned her respect and recognition across scientific communities. In addition to securing a software copyright for DiCADE (Reg. No. C-2025-019817, dated May 27, 2025), she also has a pending trademark for the tool. As a certified KOLAS Technical Expert, she has contributed to national laboratory quality assurance initiatives. Her participation in international intercomparison exercises with RENEB and Health Canada further reflects her global outreach and credibility. She is a consistent contributor to academic conferences and technical exchange programs, and her work is regarded as a benchmark in South Korea’s preparedness for radiation emergencies. 🥇🔬📜

📚 Top Noted Publications

Hyo Jin Yoon has co-authored six peer-reviewed articles, significantly advancing the field of biological dosimetry:

1. Collaborative Activities in a Biological Dosimetry Network for Radiation Emergencies in South Korea

  • Journal: International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2025

  • Citations: 7

  • Summary:
    This paper presents the establishment and development of a coordinated biological dosimetry network in South Korea. It focuses on preparedness strategies for radiation emergencies, inter-laboratory collaboration, and standardization of methodologies across partner institutions. The paper emphasizes international alignment with IAEA and WHO guidelines and proposes protocols for emergency biodosimetry response.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Strengthens Korea’s radiation emergency response infrastructure.

    • Highlights the importance of capacity building and shared resources.

    • Demonstrates real-case simulations for readiness evaluation.

2. Lessons on Harmonization of Scoring Criteria for Dicentric Chromosome Assay in South Korea

  • Journal: International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2024

  • Citations: 5

  • Summary:
    This study reports on efforts to unify scoring criteria among Korean biodosimetry laboratories for the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), a key cytogenetic tool in radiation dose assessment. It compares results across labs and discusses discrepancies and consensus-building.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Establishes baseline standards for DCA scoring nationwide.

    • Recommends training protocols and QA practices.

    • Encourages future harmonization with global networks.

3. Application of a Semi-Automated Dicentric Scoring System in Triage and Monitoring Occupational Radiation Exposure

  • Journal: Frontiers in Public Health, 2024

  • Citations: 6

  • Summary:
    This paper evaluates a semi-automated image analysis platform for scoring dicentric chromosomes in metaphase cells. Its application for radiation triage and occupational health surveillance is assessed, showing increased speed and reproducibility.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Reduces manual workload and inter-scorer variability.

    • Supports large-scale triage in radiation emergencies.

    • Offers a model for integrating AI-assisted analysis in routine monitoring.

4. Chromosome Aberration Dynamics in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy

  • Journal: Mutation Research, 2023

  • Citations: 10

  • Summary:
    This study tracks the temporal profile of chromosome aberrations, including dicentrics and translocations, in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. It assesses the persistence of aberrations post-treatment as a biomarker of cumulative exposure.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Reveals individual variation in chromosomal response to radiotherapy.

    • Proposes implications for patient-specific radiation sensitivity.

    • Highlights the utility of cytogenetics in post-therapy surveillance.

5. An Intercomparison Exercise to Compare Scoring Criteria and Develop Image Databank for Biodosimetry in South Korea

  • Journal: International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2023

  • Citations: 4

  • Summary:
    This paper documents an inter-laboratory comparison in which multiple Korean institutions scored the same set of metaphase images to assess consistency. It led to the creation of a national image databank to support training and harmonization.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Identifies scoring variability and proposes mitigation strategies.

    • Establishes a digital resource for future reference and QA.

    • Supports IAEA-compliant training infrastructure.

6. Effective Centrifugation Techniques for Improving Metaphase Spreads in Lymphocytopenic Patients

  • Journal: International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2022

  • Citations: 3

  • Summary:
    This methodological paper explores optimized centrifugation protocols to enhance metaphase yield in samples with low lymphocyte counts, such as from immunocompromised or radiotherapy-treated individuals.

  • Key Contributions:

    • Offers practical improvements to sample preparation protocols.

    • Increases metaphase cell quality and scoring accuracy.

    • Beneficial for labs working with difficult patient samples.

Conclusion

Hyo Jin, Yoon demonstrates exceptional dedication to scientific advancement in the field of biological dosimetry, combining clinical excellence with innovative research. Her work in developing AI-driven diagnostic tools and her collaborative efforts in national and international radiation emergency networks make her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a few strategic steps to broaden her academic leadership, her impact can be even more significant.

Ajay Kumar Danga | Long non-coding RNA | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Molecular Biologist

Dr . Ajay Kumar Danga | Long non-coding RNA | Best Researcher Award 

DBT-RA , National Institute of Immunology , India

Ajay Kumar Danga is a dedicated researcher specializing in the molecular biology of aging and maturation, with a focus on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in rat testes. His work at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, has contributed significantly to understanding gene regulation during aging. Ajay has been recognized for his academic excellence and contributions to the field of life sciences.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Academic Excellence: Ajay Kumar Danga has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, as evidenced by his silver medal in B.Sc. Zoology (H) and his AIR 1 ranking in the JNU Entrance Exam for PhD in Life Sciences. He has also secured multiple competitive fellowships, such as the ICMR-JRF/SRF and CSIR-NET-JRF.
  2. Research Contributions: His research on the maturation and aging processes in rat testes, particularly focusing on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), is cutting-edge. The work involves complex molecular biology techniques and contributes to understanding the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in aging.
  3. Technical Proficiency: Ajay has a wide array of specialized laboratory skills, including molecular cloning, RNA-FISH, and genomic DNA methylation analysis. His ability to perform and teach these techniques, along with his experience in bioinformatics tools, highlights his technical expertise.
  4. Recognition and Awards: Ajay’s work has been recognized through several awards, such as the Best Poster Award at Biosparks 2018 and multiple conference presentations at both national and international levels. His ability to consistently produce high-quality research output and gain recognition for it is a testament to his research capabilities.
  5. Collaboration and Leadership: He has collaborated with scientists from industry and academia, demonstrating his ability to work in interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, his role in supervising and mentoring students shows his leadership skills in a research setting.

Areas of Improvement 

  1. Broader Impact of Research: While Ajay’s research is highly specialized and of significant academic interest, its broader implications for public health or clinical applications are not immediately clear. Enhancing the translational impact of his research could strengthen his candidacy for awards that prioritize societal impact.
  2. Publication Record: Although Ajay has made significant contributions to conferences, there is limited information provided about his publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Increasing his number of high-impact journal publications would further solidify his standing as a top researcher.
  3. Diversity of Research Topics: His research is primarily focused on aging and molecular biology. Expanding his research portfolio to include more diverse topics within life sciences could make him a more versatile candidate for various research awards.

    Education 

    Ajay completed his M.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, India, where he studied the genotoxic effects of Malathion and the potential protective role of Rosemary oil. Prior to that, he earned his B.Sc. in Zoology (Hons) from Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi (DU), New Delhi. Ajay is currently pursuing advanced research at JNU, furthering his exploration into molecular mechanisms in life sciences.

    Experience 

    Ajay’s research journey includes a significant tenure as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) at JNU, where he delved into the expression of lncRNAs during the aging process in rat testes. He has also served as a Research Associate at the National Institute of Immunology (NII). His experience extends to teaching and guiding M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in molecular biology, ensuring the next generation of scientists are well-prepared for their careers.

    Research Interests 

    Ajay’s research primarily focuses on the role of long noncoding RNAs in the maturation and aging of reproductive tissues. His work involves studying gene expression, cellular changes, and DNA methylation patterns, particularly in the context of aging. Ajay is passionate about uncovering the molecular underpinnings of age-related changes and their implications for human health.

    Awards 

    Ajay has received numerous accolades, including the Silver Medal in his B.Sc. Zoology (Hons) from the University of Delhi, and several prestigious fellowships like the Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Examination for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Junior and Senior Research Fellowships. He also achieved the All India Rank 1 in the JNU Entrance Exam for Ph.D. in Life Sciences.

    Publications 

    Ajay has contributed to several research articles and conference papers. Some of his notable publications include:

    1. Expression and localization of LINC-RSAS lncRNA in the rat testes during aging – Poster Presentation, International Conference, Vistas in Life Sciences 2024, JNU.
    2. Expression and localization of LINC-RBE and LINC-RSAS in the rat testes during aging – Poster Presentation, 18th IUIS International Congress of Immunology 2023, Cape Town, South Africa.
    3. Age-related expression and localization of long noncoding RNAs in rat testis – National Science Day, JNU, New Delhi, 2022.

      Conclusion

      Ajay Kumar Danga is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his outstanding academic record, technical proficiency, and research contributions. His work on lncRNAs in aging is innovative and has the potential to advance our understanding of aging processes. However, to further enhance his candidacy, he could focus on broadening the impact of his research, increasing his publication output, and diversifying his research topics. Overall, Ajay is a promising researcher whose work is already making significant contributions to the field of life sciences.