In Memory of Dr. Tong H. Joh

Tong H. Joh, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology
Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Dr. Tong H. Joh was born in Korea, received his BA in Chemistry at Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea, in 1953, and his PhD in Biochemistry at New York University in 1971. He was appointed as Instructor of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Cornell University Medical College in 1972, and stayed in Cornell Med as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. Dr. Joh became Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology in 2004, but continued his research activity as Director of the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory at Burke Neurological Institute (1985 to 2005), Cornell University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He continued his research as Professor Emeritus at Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College in New York City. Dr. Joh's goal has been to characterize dopamine (DA) neuronal plasticity, biochemistry and genetic analysis of catecholamine biosynthesis, especially DA biosynthesis, and molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie DA neuronal degeneration. He published over 300 refereed articles in major international journals and nearly 100 books/book chapters on these studies, and he was named as an original member of 100 highly cited, influential researchers in Neuroscience by the Institute of Scientific Information in 2001. Dr. Joh and his colleagues found that an endopeptidase, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), plays a pivotal role in degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons, and proposed a hypothesis that abrogation of MMP-3 or inhibition of MMP-3 activity may attenuate or prevent DA neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). His most recent research interest was to find molecular mechanisms that govern MMP-3 actions in degeneration of DA neurons. He believed that this study would lead to an effective therapy for PD. Dr. Joh died on December 22, 2020.

“He was the recipient of the Julius Axelrod Prized from the Society for Experimental Pharmacology. He brought molecular biology to BNI soon after he cloned all the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) genes. His interest in TH stemmed from his abiding commitment to find cures for Parkinson’s disease. He had a keen, active mind and was always one step ahead of the field. Despite his amazing research accomplishments, his greatest legacies were the outstanding scientists he trained who are now Professors around the world. Some of the great names include Kwang-Soo Kim, a Professor at Harvard Medical School and our own Sunghee Cho, who, as you all know, is a leader in the stroke field and a Professor at Cornell. I remember him as a kind, decent, authentic and brilliant man. Indeed, in addition to schooling me in science,  he taught me how to each sushi with my hands rather than chopsticks. BNI and the world has lost a great scientist, person and mentor” said Dr. Ratan.