SEUNG HEE CHUN
Munich
Summary
Developmental neuroscientist (PhD) with expertise in cortical development, molecular mechanisms, and advanced imaging. International research training in the U.S., Japan, and Germany with strong scientific communication and global collaboration skills.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral researcher
Max-Planck Institute of Biological Intelligence
08.2023 - Current
- Spearheading a neuroscience project on cortical folding with strong translational relevance, demonstrating independent planning and execution of long-term research aligned with disease mechanisms.
- Developed research protocols, prepared figure-rich scientific manuscripts, and drafted abstracts for presentations.
- Managed project workflows including collaboration timelines and coordination with core facilities, building experience relevant to research project management.
Doctoral Researcher
Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology
11.2018 - 07.2023
- Research project: Cerebral Cortex Folding by Controlling Neuronal Migration and Progenitor Expansion.
- Led a multi-year research project culminating in a first-author manuscript currently under revision at Nature Communications, reflecting strong scientific writing and communication skills.
- Regularly prepared research summaries, figures, and presentations for international meetings—building capabilities in writing abstracts, preparing publications, and communicating scientific results effectively.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on cortical development and related clinical disorders, which would support active participation in scientific conferences.
- Collaborated across lab and facility teams to manage project timelines and experimental logistics.
- Co-authored a scientific article in Cell Stem Cell (2024), demonstrating strong capability in scientific literature synthesis and scientific writing.
Master Student
Tohoku University
09.2016 - 09.2018
- Research project: Analysis of δ-catenin as a downstream gene of Pax6 in early development of the mammalian telencephalon.
- Investigated Pax6-related molecular pathways in brain development, contributing to disease mechanism understanding relevant to early-stage of neurodegeneration.
- Co-authored a review article in Brain Research (2019), demonstrating strong capability in scientific literature synthesis and scientific writing.
- Contributed to drafting and editing manuscripts and presentations.
Student Researcher
Murray State University
01.2009 - 05.2011
- Assist research project with the assessment of neurodegeneration in a novel C. Elegans model of tauopathy.
- Assist research project with the M1 aminopeptidase family which affect to reproductive in C.elegans.
- Assist the investigation of gene Pam1, Mutate Pam1, and C42.
Education
Doctorate - Biology, Neuroscience
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
01.2024
Master degree - Medical Science, Developmental Neuroscience
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Sendai, Miyagi09.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, Wisconsin05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky05.2011
Skills
- Scientific reading/writing
- In vivo/in vitro experiments
- Molecular/Cellular techniques
- -omics study
- Data Analysis
- Statistical analysis
- Problem solving
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Scientific thinking
- Scientific Communication
Awards Scholarships Honors
MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship, Tohoku University, 04/01/17, 09/01/18
Publications
- Cortex folding by combined progenitor expansion and adhesion-controlled neuronal migration, Chun, S.H., Yoon, D.E., Diaz Almeida, D.S. et al., Nat Commun, 16, 8048, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62858-9
- Expansion of the neocortex and protection from neurodegeneration by in vivo transient reprogramming, Y.-R. Shen, S. Zaballa, X. Bech, A. Sancho-Balsells, I. Rodríguez-Navarro, C. Cifuentes-Díaz, G. Seyit-Bremer, S.H. Chun, T. Straub, J. Abante, et al., Cell Stem Cell, 31, 2024, 10.1016/j.stem.2024.09.013
- The role of Pax6 in brain development and its impact on pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder, Kikkawa T, Casingal CR, Chun SH, Shinohara H, Hiraoka K, Osumi N., Brain Res, 2019-02-15, 1705, 95-103
CONFERENCES (POSTER PRESENTATION)
- 2018, 22nd the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience, Nara, Japan
- 2020, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Connectivity, Virtual, U.S.A
- 2021, EMBO - Molecular Neurobiology, Virtual
- 2022, 24th the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience, Vancouver, Canada
- 2022, FENS – International Neuroscience Conference, Paris, France
- 2023, SFN – Society for Neuroscience, Washington D.C, U.S.A
- 2024, GRC – Neural Development, Lucca, Italy
- 2024, 25th the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience, Montpellier, France
- 2025, Cortical Development Conference, Sicily, Italy
Timeline
Postdoctoral researcher
Max-Planck Institute of Biological Intelligence
08.2023 - Current
Doctoral Researcher
Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology
11.2018 - 07.2023
Master Student
Tohoku University
09.2016 - 09.2018
Student Researcher
Murray State University
01.2009 - 05.2011
Master degree - Medical Science, Developmental Neuroscience
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Murray State University
Doctorate - Biology, Neuroscience
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
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