Helen S. Jung

Keywords: antibody dependent enhancement, flavivirus, Zika, dengue, EDIII, NS1, B cell response, vaccine, immunogen, phage display, recombinant expression, FACS

Dengue and Zika viruses are mosquito-transmitted flaviviruses that cause severe, fatal disease in patients with history of previous infection by these viruses. Despite the growing population of at-risk communities because of globalization and climate change, there is still a need for vaccines and anti-viral therapies without the complication of enhancing disease severity. To address this need, I investigate structure-based designs of broadly protective vaccines that are effective against both viruses using techniques to focus the adaptive immune system to neutralizing, protective antibody response. I have additional secondary projects in the lab which involve antibody and immunogen engineering.

I have worked on a variety of different projects before joining the Lai Lab. In Dr. Robert Fairman's lab at Haverford College, I studied polymerizing systems to develop nano-biomaterials with various biophysical functions. I designed a protein nanowire system based on a pilin protein naturally occurring in bacteria. I characterized in vitro conductivity of the protein system as well as its functionalization with photoelectronic compounds to achieve photoconductive properties. In Dr. Paul Axelsen’s lab at the University of Pennsylvania, I applied the reverse micelle model to study amyloid-beta protein and Alzheimer’s disease. I also characterized biophysical properties of reverse micelle systems and spectroscopically examined their nanoscale pH-profiles. In Dr. Leena Hilakivi-Clarke's lab at Georgetown University, I studied transgenerational effects of maternal exposures, such as high-fat diet, on the risk of breast cancer occurrence and severity in F2 and F3 progeny. I used preclinical rodent models to evaluate changes in DNA methylation patterns of oncogenes.

I'm a senior board member of the AECOM Women's Networking Group. We organize monthly events, such as docu-screenings, summer socials, and science-themed game events, as well as annually host Women in Science Day, one of the largest club events on campus. We're a collective of grad students, postdocs, and faculty members aiming to foster a community of women scientists. Apart from WNG, I help out with the weekend food markets organized by City Harvest when I can! I enjoy rock climbing and taking dance classes, and I also play music and sing with my friends in our cover band.

I am actively seeking to connect with physician-scientists in innovative, evolving medical specialties as well as professionals in therapeutics development. If you're a student at any level of training or education who is interested in my training path, feel free to reach out!