Jin Mo Chung

Jin Mo Chung is a Professor and Chair at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), holding the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Distinguished University Endowed Chair in Neuroscience and Cell Biology. His work focuses on chronic pain mechanisms, particularly neuropathic pain, where he developed the foundational 'spinal nerve ligation (SNL) Chung Model' for testing analgesics. With over 160 peer-reviewed publications and 23,000 citations, his research has been NIH-funded for 35 years, including multiple R01 and Program Project Grants.

• Education:
• BS in Physics, Sogang University
• PhD in Physiology, Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine
• Post-Doctoral in Neurophysiology, Loyola-Stritch
• Post-Doctoral in Somatosensory Neurophysiology, UTMB

Chung's research spans synaptic plasticity in pain pathways, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chronic pain, and treatment strategies for conditions like spinal cord injury, diabetic neuropathy, HIV infection, and chemotherapy-induced pain. He has pioneered animal models for pain research and explored interventions like spinal cord stimulation, antioxidant therapy, and electroacupuncture.

The 15 most recent articles reflect a focus on pain neurobiology, ROS signaling, neuroinflammation, and neuromodulation techniques. Key subfields include FGF13 in diabetic neuropathy, Wnt5a signaling in HIV-related pain, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, circadian regulation of chemotherapy pain, and neuron-type-specific spinal cord stimulation.

• Scientific Contributions:
• Developed the 'Chung Model' of spinal nerve ligation
• Over 160 peer-reviewed publications
• NIH R01 and Program Project Grants (35 years)
• Co-editor of Encyclopedia of Pain

Chung has mentored 30 postdoctoral fellows and 22 visiting scientists. He co-founded the Association of Korean Neuroscientists and led the Gulf Coast Consortium and Texas Pain Research Consortium. His work connects basic science to clinical applications, with global impacts on analgesic drug development.