Yu Myeong-Hee
Yu Myeong-Hee | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 5, 1954 Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupation(s) | Microbiologist, Science administrator |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Research on alpha-1 antitrypsin folding mechanisms; first Chief Secretary to the Future Strategy Planning Office of South Korea |
| Notable work | Research publications in Nature, The Journal of Proteome Research, PNAS, Journal of Molecular Biology, Journal of Biological Chemistry |
Yu Myeong-Hee (born 5 September 1954) is a distinguished South Korean microbiologist who currently holds the position of president at the Korea Federation of Women's Science & Technology Associations and serves as a principal investigator at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. In July 2010, during President Lee Myung-bak's administration, she was appointed as the first Chief Secretary to the Future Strategy Planning Office, a role she fulfilled until February 2013.
Early life and education
Originating from Seoul, Yu's fascination with science and technology began in her middle school years. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Seoul National University in 1977, followed by a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1982. She further advanced her expertise through postdoctoral research conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1985.
Scientific research
Upon her return to South Korea, Yu was employed at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology until 2000 before transitioning to the Korea Institute of Science and Technology as a principal research scientist. Her primary research interest lies in the structural analysis and folding mechanisms of the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin, a member of the serpin family. Yu's laboratory has successfully pinpointed amino acid residues that mitigate particular mutation effects, including the tsf mutation responsible for protein misfolding. She holds patents related to alpha-1 antitrypsin muteins featuring disulfide bonds as well as their synthesis methods.
Yu’s findings have been disseminated through prominent scientific journals such as Nature, The Journal of Proteome Research, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal of Molecular Biology, and Journal of Biological Chemistry. Her research contributions are extensively referenced across disciplines including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, and microbiology.
Public work
From July 2002 until July 2010, Yu directed the Functional Proteomics Center within the 21st Century Frontier R&D Program at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. In 2010, she assumed a senior governmental role focused on national future strategies, managing science and technology communication initiatives and advocating for environmentally sustainable technologies such as low-carbon and green innovations. Additionally, she held leadership positions as president of both the Korean Biophysical Society (2009–2010) and the Korea Genome Organization in 2010.
Awards and recognition
- Recipient of the Mock-Am Award from the Korean Society of Molecular Biology (1996)
- Honored with the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science (1998)
- Awarded Seoul City Cultural Award (2001)
- Conferred with the Order of Science and Technology along with the Ungbi Medal, bestowed by the Korean Government (2004)