Skip to main content

Yunjeong Park

Ewha Womans University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Yunjeong Park's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bioactive compounds from traditional medicinal fungi and plants, particularly cordycepin and isoquinoline alkaloids, in inducing cancer cell death through apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest. The lab investigates key signaling pathways such as caspases, MAPKs, and GSK-3β, with an emphasis on their therapeutic potential in oncology. Additionally, the lab explores sociocultural and migratory dynamics of Chinese communities in southern Africa, especially in South Africa and Lesotho, examining identity, race, class, and transnational belonging in post-apartheid and globalized contexts.

cancer therapeuticsbioactive compoundsChinese diasporamolecular mechanismsmigration studies

Research Overview

Papers
287
Total Citations
3,888
Papers (5y)
121
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
121total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
264total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Review|134 citations·2018
The Anticancer Properties of Cordycepin and Their Underlying Mechanisms
So Young Yoon, Soo Jung Park, Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

is a genus of ascomycete fungi that has been used for traditional herbal remedies. It contains various bioactive ingredients including cordycepin. Cordycepin, also known as 3-deoxyadenosine, is a major compound and has been suggested to have anticancer potential. The treatment of various cancer cells with cordycepin in effectively induces cell death and retards their cancerous properties. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Recent evidence has shed light on the molecular p

PharmacologyMedicine
2
Review|108 citations·2021
The Anticancer Effect of Natural Plant Alkaloid Isoquinolines
Dahye Yun, So Young Yoon, Soo-Jung Park, Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Isoquinoline alkaloids-enriched herbal plants have been used as traditional folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic effects. They induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy, leading to cell death. While the molecular mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood, it has been suggested that binding to nucleic acids or proteins, enzyme inhibition, and epigenetic modulation by isoquinoline alkaloids may play a role in the effects. This review discusses

PharmacologyMedicine
3
book|83 citations·2009
A Matter of Honour: Being Chinese in South Africa
Yoon Jung Park

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter One: Sojourners to Settlers: Early Constructions of Chinese Identity in South Africa Chapter 3 Chapter Two: Apartheid-Era Constructions: White, Non-White, and Honorary White Chapter 4 Chapter Three: The Symbolic Centre: The Influence of China, Real and Mythical Chapter 5 Chapter Four: Whitening and Upward Mobility: Shifting Race, Class, and Social Position Chapter 6 Chapter Five: Our Own Little Box: Cultural and Ethnic Identity Chapter 7 Chapter Six: Afte

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
4
Article|50 citations·2009
Chinese Migration in Africa
Yoon Jung Park
AnthropologySocial Sciences
5
Review|49 citations·2010
Genome-Wide Epigenetic Modifications in Cancer
Yoon Jung Park, Rainer Claus, Dieter Weichenhan, Christoph Plass
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
6
Article|39 citations·2009
Recent Chinese Migrants in small Towns of Post-apartheid South Africa
Yoon Jung Park, Anna Ying Chen
SJR Q2Revue européenne de migrations internationalesOA

South Africa is host to the largest population of Chinese on the African continent, with estimates ranging from 250,000 – 350,000. Various waves of migration from China to South Africa have resulted in the creation of diverse, multi-generational, and multi-lingual communities of Chinese. The article explores these waves of migration and then focuses on the newest Chinese migrants, mostly from rural parts of Fujian province, many of whom are settling in small, rural towns across the country. The

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
7
Article|39 citations·2022
Sex difference in atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs
Yoon Jung Park, Je‐Wook Park, Hee Tae Yu, Tae‐Hoon Kim, Jae‐Sun Uhm, Boyoung Joung, Moon‐Hyoung Lee, Hui‐Nam Pak
SJR Q1HeartOA

OBJECTIVE: The risk of recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation (AFCA) is higher in women than in men. However, it is unknown whether a sex difference exists in antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) responsiveness among patients with recurrence. METHODS: Among 2999 consecutive patients (26.5% women, 58.3±10.9 years old, 68.1% paroxysmal AF) who underwent de novo AFCA, we compared and evaluated the sex differences in rhythm outcome in 1094 patients with recurrence and in 788 patients who s

Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineMedicine
8
Article|32 citations·2013
Perceptions of Chinese in Southern Africa: Constructions of the “Other” and the Role of Memory
Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1African Studies Review

Abstract: Increasing numbers of Chinese migrants have arrived in southern Africa over the past two decades. Perceptions of and reactions to the Chinese, however, vary from country to country and within countries. This article, based on several years of field and survey research, examines perceptions of Chinese in South Africa and Lesotho. The author argues that in addition to the global context, national political and economic realities, history, and memory shape local perceptions of China and t

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
9
Article|31 citations·2019
Deep-cARe: Projection-Based Home Care Augmented Reality System with Deep Learning for Elderly
Yoon Jung Park, Hyocheol Ro, Nam Kyu Lee, Tack-Don Han
SJR Q2Applied SciencesOA

Developing innovative and pervasive smart technologies that provide medical support and improve the welfare of the elderly has become increasingly important as populations age. Elderly people frequently experience incidents of discomfort in their daily lives, including the deterioration of cognitive and memory abilities. To provide auxiliary functions and ensure the safety of the elderly in daily living situations, we propose a projection-based augmented reality (PAR) system equipped with a deep

Computer Vision and Pattern RecognitionComputer Science
10
Article|31 citations·2020
EHMT2 Inhibition Induces Cell Death in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Altering the Cholesterol Biosynthesis Pathway
HaEun Kim, Seo Yoon Choi, Jinyeong Lim, Anders M. Lindroth, Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer. Besides genetic and environmental factors, epigenetic alterations contribute to the tumorigenesis of NSCLC. Epigenetic changes are considered key drivers of cancer initiation and progression, and altered expression and activity of epigenetic modifiers reshape the epigenetic landscape in cancer cells. Euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) is a histone methyltransferase and catalyzes mono- and di-methylation a

Cancer ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|30 citations·2019
Promotion of Cell Death in Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells through KDM1B-DCLRE1B Modulation
Yeon Kyu Lee, Jinyeong Lim, So Young Yoon, Jong Cheon Joo, Soo-Jung Park, Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Ovarian cancer is the gynecological malignancy with the poorest prognosis, in part due to its high incidence of recurrence. Platinum agents are widely used as a first-line treatment against ovarian cancer. Recurrent tumors, however, frequently demonstrate acquired chemo-resistance to platinum agent toxicity. To improve chemo-sensitivity, combination chemotherapy regimens have been investigated. This study examined anti-tumor effects and molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity of Oldenlandia diffusa

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
12
Article|26 citations·2010
Boundaries, Borders and Borderland Constructions: Chinese in Contemporary South Africa and the Region
Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1African Studies

This article explores existing boundaries and borders, both real and metaphorical, related to various Chinese communities in southern Africa. Starting with a discussion of the physical, territorial and often quite porous borders between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, Park then turns to the metaphorical, fluid, and constructed boundaries between various groups of Chinese, between citizen and foreigner, and between settler and sojourner. The article concludes with the suggestion that

DemographySocial Sciences
13
Article|25 citations·2021
Chinese FDI and impacts on technology transfer, linkages, and learning in Africa: evidence from the field
Yoon Jung Park, Xiaoyang Tang
SJR Q1Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies

Based on a brief review of the existing literature on knowledge transfer between Chinese and Africans, this introductory essay sheds light on the purpose, methodologies, and main findings of this special issue. Aiming to investigate the impacts of Chinese FDI projects on technology learning in Africa, a team of SAIS-CARI researchers conducted field research in six African countries. To our knowledge, this is the first time such a comprehensive analysis on China-Africa knowledge transfer has been

DevelopmentSocial Sciences
14
Article|19 citations·2022
Adenosine derivatives from Cordyceps exert antitumor effects against ovarian cancer cells through ENT1-mediated transport, induction of AMPK signaling, and consequent autophagic cell death
So Young Yoon, Anders M. Lindroth, Soyoung Kwon, Soo-Jung Park, Yoon Jung Park
SJR Q1Biomedicine & PharmacotherapyOA

Cordyceps militaris is rich in adenosine derivatives, including 3'-deoxyadenosine, also known as cordycepin. It has been reported for antitumor effects, but its underlying molecular mechanism has yet to be elucidated. We investigated how adenosine derivatives exerted antitumor effects against ovarian cancer using human ovarian cancer cells and a xenograft mouse model. Treatment with adenosine derivatives effectively resulted in cell death of ovarian cancer cells through AMPK activation and subse

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|19 citations·2010
Introduction: Chinese in Africa
Yoon Jung Park, Tu T. Huynh
SJR Q2African and Asian Studies
DevelopmentSocial Sciences

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyPhysiologyCancer ResearchCardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineAnthropologySociology and Political Science

Dive deeper into Yunjeong Park's research on Nubint

Open this lab's papers in the app to read with AI, summarize, and cite in your writing.