Principal Investigator

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University

Core Member, Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University

I earned my PhD at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in Korea, where I studied phospholipid lipase-mediated signal transduction in the lab of Drs. Sung Ho Ryu and Pann-Ghill Suh.

I completed my postdoc training in molecular and cellular neuroscience research in Dr. Paul Greengard’s lab at The Rockefeller University. After completion of my postdoc, I stayed in the lab as a research group leader, collaborating with Dr. Greengard to study molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and drug addiction.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy running around my neighborhood park and spending time with my family. I am easily excited when I encounter gophers, geese, or deer on campus, especially the gopher family living near the receiving dock in the Research Tower building. My favorite outdoor activity is fishing although my last fishing trip was about 30 years ago. I believe I am a talented cook at home, with genius ideas for aliquoting whatever cooking ingredients, titrating salts, and reconstituting leftovers.

Yong Kim, PhD

Yu Young Jeong, PhD

Research Associate

I earned my Ph.D. at Yonsei University in South Korea in Dr. In Kwon Chung’s laboratory, where I studied telomerase and telomeres regulation and aging.

Before joining Dr. Kim’s lab, I completed my postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Qian Cai at the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University. During my postdoctoral training, I focused on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of autophagy-lysosomal regulation and mitochondrial quality control in neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

I enjoy spending time with people and socializing. I also love outdoor activities like walking on the beach or in the park, hiking, and having barbeques with my family and friends.

Bavely Eskandar

Research Assistant

I am an undergraduate student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. I joined Dr. Kim’s lab as apart of an NIH program under its NIDDK sector in 2022. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the NIH program once more at NYU under Dr. Emily Balcetis at the SPAM Lab. My main research interests, in both aforementioned labs, involves neurodegenerative disorders.

While I aspire to become a physician, particularly in the neuro field, I wish to continue a research career and be able to balance a clinical and research lifestyle, maybe a 70/30 split? I believe research allows me to think, innovate, and every new finding, leads to a multitude of unsolved puzzles that I wish to one day connect.

I enjoy being an EMT, responding to 911 emergency calls in the Manalapan, Marlboro, and greater Newark area. Additionally, I enjoy playing chess, working out, and graphic design.

Raul Aramburo

Research Assistant

Student: Cell Biology and Neuroscience.

I intend to earn my MD and, later, a PhD in Neurology or Neurosurgery. I am currently under the guidance of Dr. Kim and Dr. Yu Young Jeong at the Kim lab.

I am completing my third year here at Rutgers. I am graduating one year early to further my education and research skills and pursue medicine. I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing and ever-growing field of neuroscience and hope to contribute more and more every day. My main research interests include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

When I'm not in the laboratory, I run a coaching business to train clients online, and more specifically, in bodybuilding. I work at a hospital as a patient care technician and EMT. I love to play the piano, work out, read, and help around my community through toy drives, food drives, and tutoring.

Joanna Hou

Research Assistant

Hello! I’m currently an undergraduate at Rutgers University and a member of the Honors College in the Class of 2030. I plan to study Cell Biology & Neuroscience with a minor in Sociology, ultimately intending to pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

I am eager to take part in research at the Kim Lab, where I aim to explore the pathology and mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s disease. I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of treating dementia and neurodegeneration, and I am beyond grateful to Dr. Kim for the opportunity to do so.

Outside of research, I enjoy reading (my favorite book being Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go), playing piano, and going on the occasional run. I also love to spend time with my friends, who might tell you that I’m an avid Set player and Hamilton fan.

Asha Patel, BA

Currently, I am a medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I graduated in 2024 from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Biology concentrated in Neuroscience. As an undergraduate student, I worked in the lab of Dr. Erik Musiek, where studied the roles of glial cells and neuroinflammation in the development of Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

After undergrad, I took one gap year, during which I completed a service term with AmeriCorps. I worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center, where I provided community health education.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, taking walks in my neighborhood, and watching reality TV with my friends.

Past Lab Members & Close Colleagues

Bruno Carabelli, PhD

Former Postdoctoral Associate
Joseph Lepore

Former Research Assistant
Sindhura Nemani

Former Research Assistant
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Student
Tho Lai

Former Research Assistant
Clinical Research Associate at Bristol Myers Squibb
Anandakumar Shunmugavel, PhD

Former Research Scientist II
Matt Baron, PhD

Former Research Assistant
Economics PhD from Princeton
Assistant Professor at Cornell
Dionnet Bhatti

Former Research Assistant
Neuroscience PhD Student at Harvard
Ilaria Ceglia, PhD

Former Postdoc
Science Informationist at the Rockefeller University
Su Jin Chae, PhD

Visiting Postdoc
Michelle Chen

Former Research Assistant
MD/PhD Student at University of Iowa MSTP
Zhenghong Dong

Former Research Assistant
Jonathan Halford, MD

Former Research Assistant
Physician
Kolbe Hancock, MD

Former Research Assistant
Medical Fellowship at Weill Cornell
Kabir Husain, PhD

Former Research Assistant
PhD from NCBS Bangalore
Postdoc at University of Chicago
Junghee Jin, PhD

Former Postdoc
Senior Scientist at Encoded Therapeutics
Amie Kim, MD

Former Research Assistant
Physician
Daesoo Kim, PhD

Visiting Professor
Professor at KAIST, Korea
Cassie Kookier

Former Research Assistant
MD/PhD Student at UC Irvine MSTP
Jung Sung Lee, PhD

Former Postdoc
Ko-Woon Lee, PhD

Former Postdoc
Grant Martin

Former Research Assistant
Yong-Seok Oh, PhD

Former Postdoc
Associate Professor at DIGIST, Korea
Claire Song

Former Research Assistant BBS PhD Student at Yale University
Jee-Young Sung, PhD

Former Postdoc
Pedro Del Cioppo Vasques

Former Research Assistant
MD/PhD Student at Mayo Clinic MSTP
Xiaozhu Zhang

Former Research Assistant Analyst in MCRC group at Weill Cornell
Clara Berdasco, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow