Younggeon Jin

Younggeon Jin, DVM, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal & Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on intestinal epithelial homeostasis, stem cell biology, and gastrointestinal disease mechanisms. He leads studies on E-cadherin's role in intestinal stem cell regeneration and the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells in gut health. His work integrates pharmacology (e.g., larazotide acetate mechanisms) and developmental biology (e.g., piglet intestinal maturation).

Education:

• PhD, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, NC State University (2014)
• DVM, Jeju National University (2009)

Research Interests:

• Apical junction complex regulation of intestinal barrier function
• E-cadherin signaling in stem cell regeneration
• iMSC-epithelial crosstalk in development
• Intestinal barrier modulation in inflammatory diseases

Key Article Themes: Recent work emphasizes novel therapeutic targets for IBD via stem cell modulation, mechanistic insights into tight junction regulators like larazotide, and developmental gut biology in pre-weaned pigs.

Awards:

• 2016 Postdoctoral Scholar of the Year Award
• 2018 Early Career Investigator Recognition
• 2017 FASEB Travel Award

Grants & Teaching: Current grants include Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (2021-2023) and MAES Competitive Grants. Teaches comparative digestive pathophysiology courses (ANSC 445/645).