Joongkyu Park
Office address
3108 Scott Hall
540 E. Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
Biography
The brain stores, retrieves, and erases information every single moment to mediate the organisms’ successful interaction with the environment. It is considered that these functions are mediated by selective strengthening and weakening of synaptic connections (termed ‘synaptic plasticity’). My research goals are to understand those long-lasting synaptic changes at the molecular level. In particular, my main focus is to understand local protein and lipid dynamics responsible for memory acquisition, consolidation, and extinction. We address questions using multifaceted approaches, including genetically encoded tools, virus-mediated delivery, cell-type- & compartment-specific targeting, optogenetic & chemogenetic control, live cell imaging, brainbow labeling, tissue clearing, histology, and behavioral tests.
Park lab webpages (Positions are available!)
Training
Postdoc, Biology, Yonsei University, South Korea, 2010 – 2011
Postdoc, Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2011 – 2017
Associate Research Scientist, Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2017 – 2018
Education
B.S., Biochemistry, Yonsei University, South Korea, 2004 (Magna Cum Laude)
Ph.D., Biology, Yonsei University, South Korea, 2010
Publications
Search PubMed for publications from the Park Lab
Courses taught by Joongkyu Park
Winter 2027 (future)
Fall 2026 (current)
Winter Term 2026
Fall Term 2025
Fall Term 2024
Recent university news spotlights
- Wayne State researcher secures two grants from the National Institute on Aging to address Alzheimer’s disease
- Wayne State researcher secures two grants from the National Institute on Aging to address Alzheimer’s disease
- Alzheimer’s Association supports synaptic research by School of Medicine’s Joongkyu Park, Ph.D.