Heejung Moon

Heejung Moon, Ph.D. serves as an Associate Researcher at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy within the Zhao Lab, focusing on molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Her work bridges pharmaceutical chemistry and neuroscience through advanced biochemical analyses.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea (2011)
• M.S. in Food and Nutrition, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea (2001)
• B.S. in Food and Nutrition, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea (1999)

Dr. Moon's research centers on post-translational modifications of apolipoproteins in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, with particular expertise in apolipoprotein E glycosylation/sialylation and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) biochemistry. Her laboratory investigates how protein modifications influence amyloid-beta interactions, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Key methodologies include mass spectrometry-based proteomics, enzyme kinetics, and structural characterization of glycoproteins.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on apolipoprotein-neurodegeneration interfaces (2024-2022) followed by foundational work on LOXL2 enzymology (2022-2014). Her research demonstrates progression from molecular characterization of neurodegenerative biomarkers toward therapeutic applications, with recent papers describing rhApoE2 compositions for treating metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

While no formal awards are documented in available materials, her work contributes significantly to understanding protein modifications in Alzheimer's pathology. Dr. Moon collaborates within the Zhao Lab on neuroscience-focused projects at the KU School of Pharmacy, though specific grant details or student mentorship activities aren't publicly enumerated.

Her laboratory operates within the KU School of Pharmacy's neuroscience research infrastructure, contributing to the institution's focus on pharmacological interventions for neurodegenerative disorders through biochemical and proteomic approaches.