Misung Jo

Misung Jo, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine with joint appointments in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences. Contact: mjo2@email.uky.edu, (859) 323-5800.

Research Focus: Dr. Jo’s laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of ovarian periovulatory processes, including cumulus oocyte complex expansion, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation. Key areas include transcriptional regulation by CBF/RUNX factors and progesterone metabolism via novel regulators like PARP1. Her work aims to improve female fertility and manage infertility disorders.

Publication Trends: Recent studies highlight the role of transcription factors (2021), CBF in fertility (2020), hydrogen sulfide in ovulation (2019), and prostaglandin-EGF networks (2018). Earlier work explored MMP activity (2004) and Runx2 repression (2012).

Scientific Awards:

• 2014 Visionary Voice Award (APHA)

Laboratory: The Jo Laboratory studies transcriptional machinery in periovulatory follicles, using in vivo/in vitro models to dissect gene regulatory pathways critical for fertility.