Junghun Yeum | Urban Green Space | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Junghun Yeum | Urban Green Space | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Gangneung-Wonju National University | South Korea

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Junghun Yeum is an Associate Professor at Gangneung-Wonju National University, Republic of Korea, specializing in landscape ecology with a strong focus on urban ecosystem conservation, ecological restoration, and green network design. His academic journey and professional contributions bridge science, policy, and practice, advancing strategies for biodiversity protection, sustainable planning, and resilience in urban landscapes. He has conducted extensive research on protected area management, ecological zoning, and urban green infrastructure, while also pioneering studies on the therapeutic value of natural environments in reducing stress and enhancing human well-being. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Junghun Yeum scholarly output includes numerous publications in indexed journals, co-authored books, and contributions to policy-driven frameworks for evaluating conservation effectiveness, many of which have been integrated into national strategies for wetland and ecological landscape management. His consultancy engagements with local governments and public agencies provide practical solutions for ecological mapping and conservation planning, while his collaborative projects supported by national research bodies have established innovative methodologies such as EEG-based studies on stress relief in urban parks. He is an editorial board member of leading environmental societies and holds leadership positions in professional organizations, contributing actively to knowledge dissemination and scientific governance. His contributions extend globally through his role as a national focal point to the Ramsar Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel, reflecting his commitment to both ecological preservation and international collaboration. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Junghun Yeum work exemplifies a balanced integration of ecological science, applied research, and policy engagement, making him a leading figure in advancing nature-based solutions for urban sustainability.

Featured Publications

Kim, D. W., Han, B. H., Kim, J. Y., & Yeum, J. H. (2015). Plant community structure of Abies holophylla community from Sinseongam to Jungdaesa in Odaesan National Park. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology, 29(6), 895–906.

Bae, J. Y., Kim, J. S., Lee, K. J., Kim, J. Y., & Yeum, J. H. (2013). Changes of vegetation structure in Naejangsan District, Najangsan National Park for twenty years (1991–2010), Korea. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology, 27(1), 99–112.

Yeum, J. H., Han, B. H., Choi, J. W., & Jeong, H. U. (2013). Mapping of the damaged forest by oak wilt disease in Bukhansan National Park. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology, 27(6), 704–717.

Yeum, J. H., Han, B. H., & Lee, K. J. (2010). A study on designation potential as Ramsar site and management method of massive scale of wetland: A case of Jang Hang estuary wetland, Han River, Korea. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology, 24(3), 249–257.

Kim, K., Lee, K. J., Choi, J. W., Yeum, J. H., & Ahn, I. S. (2014). A study on vegetation structure of cultural landscape forest of Dongbaek Island, Busan. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology, 28(2), 205–214.

Yue Xin | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yue Xin | Environmental Science| Best Researcher Award

Lecturer, Taizhou university, China

Yue Xin (月欣), is a plant molecular biology researcher with deep expertise in stress-resistance genetics. Currently affiliated with Taizhou University, she has made significant contributions to understanding gene function in woody plants under environmental stress, especially lead (Pb) toxicity. Her research integrates advanced bioinformatics, transgenic technologies, and multi-omics to support sustainable forestry and ecological remediation. 📚🌿

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Yue Xin pursued her academic journey at Nanjing Forestry University, beginning in the Outstanding Talent Class in Forestry (2014–2018) where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She then advanced directly into an integrated master’s and doctoral program (2018–2024), focusing on Forest Genetics and Breeding, where she developed core expertise in plant biotechnology, population genetics, and quantitative trait analysis. 🧬🌱

💼 Professional Experience

During her doctoral studies, Yue Xin engaged in diverse research activities involving multiple species including willow, poplar, ginkgo, crabapple, pine, nanmu, tobacco, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Her methodologies include gene cloning, tissue culture, transient transformation, SNP/SSR marker-assisted breeding, and phenological observations. She conducted germplasm surveys at major Chinese botanical centers and actively participated in conferences like the China Forestry Academic Conference and the Graduate Academic Forum. 🌲🔬

🔬 Research Interest

Yue’s research centers on molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress resistance in plants, particularly the response of woody species like Salix integra (willow) to lead (Pb) contamination. Her doctoral thesis explored gene regulatory networks and transcription factors (especially NAC family) through multi-omics analysis and transgenic validation. Her work aims to enhance plant tolerance for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. 🧪🌍

🏆 Awards and Honors

🥇 Dr. Yue Xin has demonstrated outstanding leadership in scientific research as the Principal Investigator of the 2023 Jiangsu Provincial Graduate Research Innovation Project, titled “Identification of NAC Transcription Factor Family in Salix integra and Its Response to Lead Stress” (KYCX23_1211). 🧪 This work delves into the molecular mechanisms of plant stress resistance, particularly under heavy metal exposure. Furthermore, she holds two utility model patents (ZL201821595087.1 & ZL201822087701.X) related to innovative biotechnological lab equipment, showcasing her practical contributions to experimental methodology. 🧾 Her expertise has been recognized through invited presentations at premier academic symposia and salons in forestry genetics and molecular biology, reinforcing her status as a rising talent in plant biotechnology.

📚 Publications

Identification of Pb-responsive GST transcripts in Salix integra and Pb tolerance of transgenic plants overexpressing SiGSTU55
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2025 | Cited by: pending
👉 Highlights gene-based lead resistance in woody plants (IF = 12.2)

Full-length transcriptome sequencing of Salix integra reveals a time series response to Pb stress
Industrial Crops and Products, 2023 | Cited by: 5
👉 Reveals dynamic gene expression under heavy metal exposure (IF = 5.9)

Transcriptome-Wide Identification of the NAC Transcription Factor in Salix integra under Pb Stress
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023 | Cited by: 8
👉 NAC family gene expression mapped under lead stress (IF = 5.6)

Overexpression of the Ginkgo biloba WD40 gene GbLWD1-like improves salt tolerance in Populus
Plant Science, 2021 | Cited by: 11
👉 Demonstrates stress-resilient transgenic trees (IF = 5.2)

Full-length sequencing of Ginkgo biloba reveals terpenoid synthesis during seed development
Industrial Crops and Products, 2021 | Cited by: 12
👉 Links genetics with phytochemical development (IF = 5.9)

Overexpression of GbF3’H1 boosts catechin levels in transgenic Populus
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2020 | Cited by: 18
👉 Enhances plant-based antioxidants via gene engineering (IF = 6.1)

🏁 Conclusion

Yue Xin is a highly qualified and promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her comprehensive research training, interdisciplinary approach, impressive publication record, and leadership in impactful environmental biotechnology projects mark her as a standout early-career researcher. With continued expansion into international networks and broader grant success, she is poised to become a leading figure in plant molecular stress research and sustainable environmental solutions.