RESEARCH INTERESTS & SKILLS
My research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, particularly through developmental changes associated with social enrichment in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder. I employ advanced behavioral assays and cutting-edge imaging techniques to investigate neurophysiological and behavioral changes in animal models, aiming to elucidate the complex interactions within neural circuits.
In addition to my research interests, I have developed strong technical skills including the use of DANNCE for detailed behavioral analysis, stereotaxic surgery, optogenetic stimulation, in vivo calcium imaging, and immunofluorescence. These methods enable precise investigation and manipulation of neural activity, supporting rigorous experimental design and data analysis in neuroscience research.
During my first postdoctoral training, I gained expertise in pain-related animal models, specifically migraine-induced mice, using optogenetic stimulation combined with stereotaxic surgery. I demonstrated altered neural connectivity caused by migraines through 3D imaging of cleared brain tissue using a light-sheet fluorescence microscope, complemented by immunofluorescence techniques.
During my Ph.D. training, I acquired extensive experience in social buffering by conducting behavioral tests on animal models, including assessments of anxiety, depression, social interaction, maternal behavior, social defeat, social hierarchy, and fear memory. I also performed immunohistology, stereotaxic surgery, and ex vivo electrophysiology to explore the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these behaviors.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Associate Duke university (United State)
April. 2025 - present
Department of Biomedical Engineering Computational Neurophysiology Laboratory (PI: Dr. Timothy Dunn)
Duties, accomplishments
Research developmental changes with social enrichment in neural mechanisms underlying social behavior in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder using behavioral assays and advanced imaging techniques.
Furthermore, by learning and applying DANNCE for behavior analysis, performing stereotaxic surgery and optogenetic stimulation, and conducting in vivo calcium imaging and immunofluorescence, I investigate neurophysiological changes in detail.
March. 2023 - March. 2025
Department of Neurology, Headache and Pain Laboratory (PI: Dr. Yong Chen)
Duties, accomplishments
Researched new direct synaptic connection of peripheral sensory neurons-central neurons in orofacial affective pain through animal models (migraine-induced mice), stereotaxic surgery, optogenetic stimulus method, behavioral tests (pain, emotion; anxiety, depression), 3D imaging about neural connection in the mouse brain by light sheet fluorescence microscope
In addition, by learning these new technologies (PCR, in vivo Ca2+ imaging, light-sheet fluorescence microscope, pain behavioral tests) and performing meaningful experiments in my projects, performing primary data for grant applying, assisting colleagues.
Ph.D., student Researcher Dankook University (Republic of Korea)
2016 - 2022
Department of Science education, Neurophysiology Laboratory (Advisor: Dr. Dr. Jihyun Noh)
Duties, accomplishments
Researched neurophysiological mechanisms underlying emotional behaviors (e.g., fear memory, anxiety, social buffering) during adolescence.
Identified the role of oxytocin receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the social buffering behavior during adolescent period through immunohistology, stereotaxic surgery, and behavioral assays (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2022).
Applied electrophysiological methods (evoked EPSC/IPSC, mini EPSC/IPSC) to investigate mPFC activity related to fear and anxiety.
Presented evidence for oxytocin’s anxiogenic effects (Animal Cells and Systems, 2021).
Investigated sex differences in fear extinction and anxiety using dexmedetomidine (Neuroscience Research, 2019).
Explored factors affecting nicotine replacement treatment (Behavioural Pharmacology, 2020).
Published 4 first-author and 3 second-author papers on social behavior, fear memory, and anxiety in adolescent rat models.
I was responsible for setting up the main technologies used in the laboratory.
Received various awards and had several presentation and teaching experiences.
Undergraduate Researcher Dankook University (Republic of Korea)
2013-2015
Department of Science education, Neurophysiology Laboratory (Advisor: Dr. Jihyun Noh)
Duties, accomplishments
Investigated addictive, emotional and competitive behavior in adolescence period in rat model
Isolated, performed and analyze behavioral test and immunohistology.
Apr.2025-present
Duke University
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Postdoctoral Associate
E-mail: minji.jang@duke.edu
Mar.2023-Mar. 2025
Duke University School of Medicine
Department of Neurology
Postdoctoral Associate
2016-2022
Ph.D., Neuroscience (GPA: 4.4/4.5)
Department of Science Education, Dankook University, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Doctoral advisor: Dr. Jihyun Noh
Dissertation: Neurophysiology (Behavioral Neuroscience)
2012-2016
B.S., Science Education
Department of Science Education, Dankook University, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Dissertation: Science education (Biology and teaching science)
Certified Secondary Science Teacher (Korea)
PUBLICATIONS (Google Scholar - Minji Jang)
Q Zhang, S Su, P Liang, R Baldi, P Wang, F C Dias, M Jang, P Lim, R WF Moreira, H Yang, J Chun, F Guilak, W Liedtke, A Nackley, Y Chen (submitted) LPA/LPAR signaling drives temporomandibular disorders-like pain through regulating the expression and sensitization of PIEZO2, Journal of Clinical Investigation
Q Zhang, M Jang, F C Dias, Q Zeng, P Wang, H Tai, E Chattha, J Y Zhang, R. SP Lim, W Liedtke; Y Chen (2025) Neuronal Mechanisms of Psoriatic Itch: Role of IL17R/ERK/TRPV4 Signaling Pathway, Journal of Investigative Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2025.03.037
M Jang, T Jung, Y Byun, Y Jeong, J Noh (2022) Oxytocin modulation in the medial prefrontal cortex of pair-exposed rats during fear conditioning. Psychoneuroendocrinology 141 (2022) 105752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105752
M Jang, T Jung, J Noh (2021) Oxytocin-induced anxiogenic behavior in juvenile male rats, Animal Cells and Systems. 25(6) 369–376 https://doi.org/10.1080/19768354.2021.1995485
T Jung, M Jang, J Noh (2021) Role of medial prefrontal cortical neurons and oxytocin modulation in the establishment of social buffering, Experimental Neurobiology. 30(1): 48–58. https://doi.org/10.5607/en20038
M Jang, T Jung, W Kim, I Kim, Y Jeong, J Noh (2020) Determining nicotine-related behavior changes in juvenile female rats through long-term maternal nicotine exposure, Behavioural Pharmacology. 31(1), pp. 34-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.034
M Jang, T Jung, S Kim, J Noh (2019) Sex differential effect of dexmedetomidine on fear memory extinction and anxiety behavior in adolescent rats, Neuroscience Research. 149(2018), pp. 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2019.01.006
H Lee, M Jang, W Kim, J Noh (2017) Differential effects of pair housing on voluntary nicotine consumption: comparison between male and female adolescent rats, Psychopharmacology., 234(16), pp. 2463–2473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-017-4636-3
H Lee, M Jang, J Noh (2017) Oxytocin attenuates aversive response to nicotine and anxiety-like behavior in adolescent rats, Neuroscience research., 115, pp. 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2016.11.007
WORKING PROJECTS IN PROGRESS
Developmental Changes with Social enrichment in Neural Mechanisms Underlying Social Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder
: Investigating developmental changes in social behavior and neural mechanisms in rodents, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) models
Keywords & Skills
Autism spectrum disorder animal model, Rodent study, Mouse, DANNCE (behavior analysis), Stereotaxic surgery, Optogenetic stimulus, Ca2+ imaging, Immunofluorescence
Nociceptive Ion Channels and Neural Circuits in the Orofacial pain
: Neural circuit about direct synaptic connection of peripheral sensory neurons-central neurons in Orofacial affective pain, Investigating the role of specific gene in secondary headache
Keywords & Skills
Migraine animal model, Rodent study, Mouse, Stereotaxic surgery, Optogenetic stimulus, Immunofluorescence,
Clearing mouse brain tissue for 3D imaging, light sheet fluorescence microscopy, Whole cell Patch clamp recording
SKILLS
Neuroscience: Central nerve system (Brain) to peripheral nerve system (TG, spinal cord, DRG)
Animal behavior test (Species: Rat and Mouse): Anxiety, depression, social interaction, maternal behavior, social defeat, social hierarchy, social competition, fear memory, pain (migraine, neuropathic pain), nicotine consumption
Surgery: Stereotaxic surgery to implant cannulas or optic fibers into the specific brain region (medial prefrontal cortex, habenula, Parabrachial nucleus)
Optogenetic stimulus method
Immunohistology, Immunofluorescence
Ex vivo electrophysiology: Whole cell Patch clamp recording
In vivo Ca2+ imaging
Clearing mouse brain tissue: HYBRiD(Hydrogel reinforced DISCO)
Microscopes works: fluorescence microscope, confocal microscopy, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy
Molecular works: PCR, Genotyping
Image processing: IMaris
Software: Python , DANNCE
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
D Dejesus, A Sabath, J Wu, S Shi, M Jang, R Zhan, T Dunn (2025) Analyzing VMAT-2 Mice drinking behavior vs Control using DANNCE, Duke University Neuroscience Experience program
S Dowdy, A Sabath, J Wu, S Shi, M Jang, R Zhan, T Dunn (2025) Comparing VMAT2 Heterozygous and SHANK3 mice model using DANNCE. Duke University Neuroscience Experience program
M Jang, Q Zhang, Y Chen (2024) Role of the craniofacial-specific monosynaptic circuit in migraine and its emotional comorbidities. Maixner Pain Research Symposium at Duke university
Q Zhang, FC Dias, Q Zeng, H Tai, M Jang, P Wang, J Y Zhang, Y Chen (2024) Neuronal mechanisms of psoriatic itch: role of IL17R/ERK/TRPV4 signaling Society for Neuroscience Program #/Poster #: PSTR113.03/C79
M Jang, Q Zhang, Y Chen (2024) Role of the craniofacial-specific monosynaptic circuit in migraine and its emotional comorbidities. TBS/DCEC Research Symposium at Duke university
M Jang, T Jung, Y Jeong, Y Byun, and J Noh (2021) The Role of medial prefrontal cortex in fear-related behavior with social exposure during in adolescent rat's brain: contribution of GABAergic and Oxytocin system. Society for Neuroscience Abstr. 2021-S-5200-SfN
M Jang, Y Byun, Y Jeong, T Jung and J Noh (2021) Social buffering modulation in adolescent rats: The role of GABAergic and Oxytocin system in medial prefrontal cortex. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 21F-0121
M Jang, Y Byun, Y Jeong, T Jung and J Noh (2020) Social buffering modulation in adolescent rats: sex differences and involvement of GABAergic system in mPFC. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 20F-0239
M Jang, T Jung, J Noh (2019) Oxytocin modulation in social pair-induced fear behavior. Society for Neuroscience. Abstr. 2019-S-11001-SfN
T Jung, M Jang, J Noh (2019) Differential effect of oxytocin on cell types in medial prefrontal cortex: a comparison between single and pair fear-exposed adolescent rats. Society for Neuroscience. Abstr. 2019-S- 16658-SfN.
M Jang, S Kim, J Noh (2019) Restored effect of dexmedetomidine on nicotine preference increase in acute systemic nicotine exposed preadolescent male rats. International Brain Research Organization. Abstr. P-01-0480
M Jang, T Jung, J Noh (2019) Oxytocin effects nicotine aversion and anxiety in nicotine-exposed early adolescent rats. Federation of the Asian and Oceanian Physiological Societies. Abstr. a91240.
M Jang, T Jung, J Noh (2018) Alteration of adolescent rat brain by pair exposure with conspecific during fear conditioning. Society for Neuroscience. Abstr. 2018-S-6799-SfN
M Jang, T Jung, J Noh (2017) Differential effects of dexmedetomidine on fear extinction and anxiety: a comparison between male and female adolescent rats. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 2017F-0509
M Jang, J Noh (2017) Oxytocin-induced alteration of nicotine aversion and anxiety in nicotine-exposed rats during early adolescent period. Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Abstr 2017H-32
H Lee, M Jang, J Noh (2016) Bimodal modulation of social factors on nicotine aversion in rats: Focus on sex difference, pair housing and oxytocin. Society for Neuroscience. Abstr. 16-5-9
M Jang, T Jung, W Kim, D Jeong, M Kim, J Noh (2016) Determination for nicotine-related behavior alteration by prenatal nicotine exposure and oxytocin-induced reduction of nicotine addiction in adolescent rats. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 2016F-307
M Jang, S Kim (2016), The assay about science nature of life and revolution lesson applied 2009 revision educational process in High school science. Korean Society for Biological Education. PP14.
S Chung, M Jang, J Noh (2014) Social competition in rats: alteration of emotional behaviors and regulation of mast cells in the habenula. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 2014F-351
E Lee, T Jeong, M Jang, S Chung, H Lee, J Noh (2014) Reinforcement of alcohol preference in adolescence caused by peer rather than by stress. The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science. Abstr. 2014F-292.
ORAL PRESANTATION
M Jang (06.18.2021) Neurological understanding of adolescent social experience. A new beginning: a view of future science education. The International conference, Institute of Integrated Science Education_Dankook university.
M Jang (11.12.2019) Integrated science in Neuroscience. The International conference, Institute of Integrated Science Education_Dankook university.
AWARDS and HONORS
2024
Travel Award, 2nd Annual PURPOSE Meeting for Pain Researchers, NIH Heal Initiative
2022
National R&D Real Challenge Program Grant in 2022 (15,251.47 USD)
National Science and Technology Human Resources Development Center
Title: A Study on the Neurophysiological Mechanism of Emotional Behavior Change Due to Social Exclusion
August 24, 2022
Best Academic Paper Award, Beomjeong Academic Paper Awards among Graduates, Dankook University
2020-2022
Support for Research Grant for Ph.D. Students (17,670.50 USD /1yr)
National Research Foundation of Korea
Title: A Study on the Physiological Mechanism of Emotional Behavior Change by Social Influence
NRF-2020R1A6A3A13076176
November 18, 2020
Best Presentation Award, The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science,23th
July 10, 2019
Best Paper Award, 1st Semester Beomjeong Academic Paper Awards, Dankook University
March 31, 2019
Young Scientist Travel Awards, Federation of the Asian and Oceanian Physiological Societies (FAOPS), 9th
August 31, 2017
Best Presentation Award, The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science, 20th
SCHOLARSHIP
2021 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
September, 2019 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
2016-2018 Scholarship for Research Assistant, Dankook University
September, 2018 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
2018 Scholarship for Experimental teaching assistant, Dankook University
2016 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
2015 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
2014 Scholarship for Academic Exchange, Dankook University
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
September - December. 2024 Mentoring undergraduate student, Duke university
December 1-13. 2022 Part-Time Biology teacher, Sungil Middle School
November 29. 2022 Part-Time Lecturer, Chungnam National University
November 24. 2021 Neuroscience and biology experimental teacher, Hyunam High School
May-November. 2020
Undergraduate Research Program, Research assistant, The Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and
Creativity and the Ministry of Education
July 10. 2019 Neuroscience and biology experimental teacher, Wonju high school
May 29. 2019 Biology experimental teacher, Taewon high school
June 19 - July 2. 2018 Visiting trainer, Mayo clinic
1st Semester. 2018
General Biology Experiment, Experimental teaching assistant in Department of Science education, Dankook University.
October 8.2016 Science Open Lab 4th, Research assistant, The Women’s Bioscience Forum.
July.2016 Biology high school teacher, Suwon Hyowon high school
May-November. 2016
Undergraduate Research Program, Research assistant, The Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and
Creativity and the Ministry of Education