Jeong Ho Jang
Gene Therapy for Epilepsy
A.B. Lucas S.S.
The expression of a voltage gated potassium channel (Kv1.6) is inappropriately increased in epileptic brain. Therefore a potential gene therapy that suppresses the expression of Kv1.6 protein may be therapeutic. This project identified a region of the Kv1.6 promoter that enhances expression in neurons but not in skin cells. This gene promoter may therefore be useful for the control of Kv1.6 expression.
| Award | Value |
|---|---|
| Excellence Award – Senior Bronze Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada |
$100 |
| University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship Senior Bronze Medallist – $1000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: University of Ottawa |
$1000 |
| Western University Scholarship Bronze Medallist – $1000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University |
$1000 |
Biography
My name is Jeongho Jang, grade 12 student at A.B. Lucas Secondary School in London, Ontario. I enjoy studying science related subjects such as Chemistry and Biology. Also, I love playing many different kinds of instruments such as clarinet, piano and guitar. I am currently the principal clarinetist in London Youth Symphony. In addition, I am active and I enjoy playing sports such as baseball and soccer. I love volunteering and has been a member of St. John Ambulance student Medical First Responder Team since grade 9. I first got interested in neurological disorders because my grandfather had Alzheimer’s Disease. My ultimate goal is to discover innovative therapy that can cure epilepsy which has no side effects unlike current general anti-epileptic drugs, and contribute myself to the field of neuroscience and medicine. I dream of becoming a professor in neurosurgery and continue pursuing research to find better and safer therapies for incurable neurological disorders.