Hung-Yu Shih, a native of Taiwan, earned a Ph.D. from Chang Gung University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Utah from 2018 to 2022. Their work focused on gene function and signaling pathways in nervous system development using zebrafish models. Shih joined Utah Tech University in 2022 and is passionate about biotechnology education and mentoring students in research.
Their laboratory centers on translational research in neurodegenerative diseases, investigating the molecular and genetic mechanisms of human disease–associated genes and the integrated stress response, with the aim of identifying potential therapeutic strategies.
EXPERIENCE
Over nine years of teaching experience in higher education, including faculty and teaching assistant roles
Four years of postdoctoral research at the University of Utah (2018–2022)
Assistant Professor at Utah Tech University since 2022
RESEARCH & INTERESTS
Shih’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neural development and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular emphasis on rare pediatric disorders such as 4H leukodystrophy. Their expertise lies in functional genomics, using zebrafish models to study the roles of disease-associated gene variants and RNA biogenesis in brain development. By combining molecular biology techniques, genetic tools, and translational models, Shih aims to identify therapeutic targets and support drug discovery for currently untreatable conditions.
PUBLICATIONS & PROJECTS
“Progress in leukodystrophies with zebrafish,” Development (20)
“Etv5a suppresses neural progenitor cell proliferation by inhibiting sox2 transcription,” Stem Cells and Development(20)
“Identification of the time period during which BMP signaling regulates proliferation of neural progenitor cells in zebrafish,” International Journal of Molecular Sciences (20)
“Stress granules and Staufen1 mediate pathophysiology of vanishing white matter disease,” Annals of Neurology (20)
“RGS2 suppresses melanoma growth via inhibiting MAPK and AKT signaling pathways,” Anticancer Research (20)
“Variants in LSM7 impair LSM complexes assembly, neurodevelopment in zebrafish and may be associated with an ultra-rare neurological disease,” Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (20)
“Vanishing white matter disease expression of truncated EIF2B5 activates induced stress response,” eLife (20)
“Pparα deficiency inhibits the proliferation of neuronal and glial precursors in the zebrafish central nervous system,” Developmental Dynamics (20)
“Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is indispensable in embryonic development by modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the NOX/Smad3/miR-200b axis,” Cell Death & Disease (20)
“Bmp5 regulates neural crest cell survival and proliferation via two different signaling pathways,” Stem Cells (20)
“The epigenetic factor Kmt2a/Mll1 regulates neural progenitor proliferation and neuronal and glial differentiation,” Developmental Neurobiology (20)
PRESENTATIONS
ULF’s Annual Scientific Symposium (2022)