HongGeun Park, Ph.D.

I am a neuroscientist interested in neural injury and repair. In the past, I have focused on molecular mechanisms such as signalling pathways and epigenetic changes in neurological injuries and psychiatric diseases during previous research experiences. For this purpose, I have developed and used molecular techniques especially viral techniques. My recent research interests have expanded to systems beyond molecules.

In the Carmel laboratory, I focus on understanding changes in descending motor tracts that mediate spontaneous and stimulated functional recovery after brain and spinal cord injury with viral techniques. I am working on identifying the circuits responsible for the spontaneous recovery after cervical spinal cord injury with viral tracers. Once I identify the responsible circuits, I plan to stimulate these circuits to improve functional recovery. Finally I will also test the necessity of the candidate circuits for the functional recovery by using circuit‐speci ic inactivation with Cre‐dependent DREADD.