Han Rae Kim

Han Rae Kim

  • Assistant Research Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology
  Email
  202-994-9815
Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Education
Bachelor of Science, University of Ulsan, South Korea, 2007
Master of Science, University of Ulsan, South Korea, 2009
Ph.D., University of Ulsan, South Korea, 2015
Biography
Dr. Han Rae Kim obtained his Ph.D at the Department of Bioscience from the University of Ulsan, South Korea and did his first post-doctoral training at the Meta-Inflammation Research Institute of the University of Ulsan from 2015 to 2018. He joined the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences as a Postdoctoral Scientist in 2018. Dr. Kim started his appointment as an assistant research professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the George Washington University in April 2022. Dr. Kim’s research at the George Washington University focuses on understanding the Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the forebrain-hypothalamic circuit for the cardiometabolic regulation and metabolic disease.

Research

Dr. Kim’s projects focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms within neural circuits that are associated with obesity-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). He currently investigates the alteration of neuronal/glial activity and the mechanism of interaction between neurons and glia in the forebrain during development of metabolic disease. To achieve this, Dr. Kim applies a variety of techniques in obese and transgenic murine models including molecular biology and histological approaches, chemogenetic manipulations of neuronal/glial activity, and integrative cardiovascular/metabolic physiology. His overall long-term career goal is to elucidate the central regulatory mechanisms underlying metabolic regulation in healthy and disease states.

Grants

Ongoing Research Support
Sponsor: American Heart Association, 04/01/22-03/31/2025
Award ID: 932522
Project title: Role of forebrain TLR4-mediated microglia activation in obesity-induced hypertension
Role: PI
The overall goal of this grant is to examine TLR4 mediated microglial activation and subsequent alterations in microglia-neuronal function mediate hypertension development during obesity. The final goal is to address the growing global problem by providing a new understanding of the mechanisms involved in obesity-induced neurogenic hypertension.

Completed Research Support
Sponsor: National Research Foundation of Korea, 11/01/2015-10/31/2018
Award ID: NRF-2015R1C1A1A01054848
Project title: Study for action of secretory protein in the endoplasmic reticulum during its release process
Role: PI
The overall goal of this grant was to examine factors important for neuronal development, differentiation and protection and potential new mechanisms of action with the purpose of identifying novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. 2010  Startup Competition Award, University of Ulsan
2014  Travel award, International Congress of Neuroendocrinology
2014  Excellent poster award, Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology
2017  Excellent poster award, Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology
2017  Best poster presentation award, Korean Neuroendocrine Study Group & INF-Korea Branch
2017  Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award, University of Ulsan, South Korea
2020  Post-Doctoral Research Recognition Award, American Physiological Society, Cell and Molecular Physiology Section
2020  Art of Science Award, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
2022  Research recognition Award, American Physiological Society, Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation Section

Teaching

Systems Physiology (BMSC8212)
Role: Lecturer

Center and Institutes

GW Institute for Biomedical Sciences 

Community Service

N/A

Industry Relationships and Collaborations

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported a financial interest with the health care related companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the University and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

None