Yujin Kim

Graduate Student

GitHub
randrover

Yujin’s primary research interest lies in studying noncoding mutations that disrupt enhancers implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this end, she is currently analyzing whole-genome sequencing data from a Korean cohort of individuals with ASD, using a range of computational and statistical techniques. Yujin is working to estimate the functional impact of noncoding variants, with a particular emphasis on enhancer activity, and prioritize causal variants that may be associated with ASD.

Yujin’s research builds upon the findings of a previous study by Werling et al. (2018), which introduced the Category-wide Association Study (CWAS) statistical framework to assess the risk of noncoding mutations in whole-genome sequencing data of ASD families. While CWAS remains a key focus of her research efforts, Yujin is also integrating single-cell datasets of brain tissue and chromatin interactions to refine the CWAS methodology further. By studying the impact of noncoding mutations on enhancer activity in the developing prefrontal cortex, Yujin hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of ASD.

Education & Training

  • 2021-present M.S./Ph.D. Student, Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University
  • 2017-2020 B.A. in Psychology, Korea University
  • 2017-2020 B.Sc. in Biosystem and Biomedical Sciences, Korea University

Publications

  • Category-wide association to evaluate noncoding mutations from whole genome sequencing data, in preparation
  • Identification of kinase network underlying Noonan syndrome-associated SHP2/PTPN11 mutant, in preparation
  • Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via Rnf146 upregulation in a VPA-induced mouse model of autism spectrum disorder, Experimental & Molecular Medicine (2023)
  • Chronic skin ultraviolet irradiation induces transcriptomic changes associated with microglial dysfunction in the hippocampus, Molecular Brain (2022)
  • Kdm3b haploinsufficiency impairs the consolidation of cerebellum-dependent motor memory in mice, Molecular Brain (2021)
  • Ferroptosis-related genes in neurodevelopment and central nervous system, Biology (2021)
  • Spatio-Temporal Roles of ASD-Associated Variants in Human Brain Development, Genes (2020)

Awards

  • 2022 Predoctoral Fellow, SBS Seoam Yoon Se Young Foundation (2022-2026)