Mr. Kuang-Wei Wang | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Michigan State University | United States

Kuang-Wei Wang is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University, with a keen focus on tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease. His research expertise spans protein characterization, molecular imaging, and cell culture, contributing significantly to the understanding of hyperphosphorylated tau protein mechanisms and drug discovery. Kuang-Wei’s passion lies in translating scientific findings into therapeutic advancements, showcasing his aptitude for independent research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Professional profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

• 🌟 Specialized Research Focus: Kuang-Wei Wang’s research into tauopathies, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is highly relevant and impactful, addressing one of the most pressing neurodegenerative diseases.

• 📊 Diverse Skill Set: Proficiency in advanced techniques such as protein engineering, high-throughput screening, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry highlights a strong technical foundation.

• 📚 Publication Record: Several peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals, including Molecular Neurobiology and ACS Chemical Neuroscience, demonstrate a track record of contributing new knowledge to the field.

• 🔬 Research Experience: Independent and collaborative research in both cellular models and in vivo mouse models indicates well-rounded expertise. Contributions to a 100K-compound high-throughput screening for drug discovery further showcase his ability to handle large-scale projects.

• 🌐 Presentation and Communication: Presenting at international conferences reflects his engagement with the broader scientific community and ability to communicate findings effectively.

🎓 Education

Kuang-Wei Wang pursued his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University (2019 – Present), where he centered his research on Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms and drug discovery. Prior to this, he earned dual B.S. degrees in Applied Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Science Degree Program from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (2011 – 2015), solidifying his foundation in chemical and biological sciences.

💼 Experience

Currently, Kuang-Wei is conducting his doctoral research in the Kuo Lab at Michigan State University, under the guidance of Dr. Min-Hao Kuo. His work involves using advanced techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to characterize the biophysical properties of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. He has explored the effects of cytotoxic p-tau across various models, including human cell lines, mouse primary neurons, and in vivo mouse models, contributing to high-throughput screening (HTS) that identified novel inhibitors for p-tau aggregation and cytotoxicity. Previously, he gained valuable experience as a research assistant in Dr. Yaw-Kuen Li’s lab at National Chiao Tung University, purifying macrolide glycosyltransferases and analyzing enzymatic reactions. His industry experience includes roles at DuPont Taiwan and Avision Inc., complemented by military service in Taiwan.

🔬 Research Interests On Molecular Biology

Kuang-Wei’s research interests revolve around unraveling the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly tauopathies like Alzheimer’s disease. He is passionate about protein engineering, drug discovery, and developing high-throughput screening methods to identify small-molecule inhibitors that mitigate tau aggregation and cytotoxicity.

🏆 Awards

Kuang-Wei has demonstrated leadership through roles such as Captain of the Applied Chemistry Tennis Team, President of the Applied Chemistry Student Association, and General Coordinator for the Applied Chemistry Summer Camp. These experiences underscore his ability to lead and collaborate effectively in diverse environments.

📖 Publications

• Title: Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery: Small Molecule Inhibitors of Hyperphosphorylated Tau Aggregation and Cytotoxicity
  Authors: Wang, K. W., Hagar, H. C., Fernandez-Vega, V., Jordán, L. O., Scampavia, L., Shumate, J., Spicer, T., & Kuo, M. H.

• Title: Effects of Heparan Sulfate Trisaccharide Containing Oleanolic Acid in Attenuating Hyperphosphorylated Tau-Induced Cell Dysfunction Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
  Authors: Zhu, S., Song, Z., Tapayan, A., Singh, K., Wang, K. W., Hagar, H. C., Zhang, J., Kim, H., Thepsuwan, P., Kuo, M. H., Zhang, K., & Nguyen, H.
  Year: 2025
  Journal: Journal of Medicinal Chemistr

• Title: Hyperphosphorylated Tau Inflicts Intracellular Stress Responses that Are Mitigated by Apomorphine
  Authors: Wang, K. W., Hagar, H. C., Song, Z., Chen, H. R., Kuan, C. Y., Zhang, K., & Kuo, M. H.
  Year: 2024
  Journal: Molecular Neurobiology
  Citations: 61(5), p. 2653-2671

• Title: Frontotemporal Dementia P301L Mutation Potentiates but Is Not Sufficient to Cause the Formation of Cytotoxic Fibrils of Tau
  Authors: Wang, K. W., Zhang, G., & Kuo, M. H.
  Year: 2023
  Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  Citations: 24(19), 14996

• Title: Evaluation of N- and O-Linked Indole Triazines for a Dual Effect on α-Synuclein and Tau Aggregation
  Authors: Ramirez, E., Ganegamage, S. K., Min, S., Patel, H., Ogunware, A., Plascencia-Villa, G., Alnakhala, H., Shimanaka, K., Tripathi, A., Wang, K. W., Zhu, X., Rochet, J. C., Kuo, M. H., Counts, S. E., Perry, G., Dettmer, U., Lasagna-Reeves, C. A., & Fortin, J. S.
  Year: 2023
  Journal: ACS Chemical Neuroscience
  Citations: 14(21), 3913–3927

• Title: Anti-fibrillization Effects of Sulfonamide Derivatives on α-Synuclein and Hyperphosphorylated Tau Isoform 1N4R
  Authors: Fortin, J. S., Shimanaka, K., Saraswati, A. P., Liu, M., Wang, K. W., Hagar, H. T., Maity, S., Ganegamage, S. K., Ellsworth, E., Counts, S. E., Borhan, B., Dettmer, U., & Kuo, M. H.
  Year: 2022
  Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
  Citations: 1267, 133574

• Title: Hyperphosphorylation Renders Tau Prone to Aggregate and to Cause Cell Death
  Authors: Liu, M., Sui, D., Dexheimer, T., Hovde, S., Deng, X., Wang, K. W., Lin, H. L., Chien, H. T., Kweon, H. K., Kuo, N. S., Ayoub, C. A., Jimenez-Harrison, D., Andrews, P. C., Kwok, R., Bochar, D. A., Kuret, J., Fortin, J., Tsay, Y. G., & Kuo, M. H.
  Year: 2020
  Journal: Molecular Neurobiology
  Citations: 57(11), 4704–4719

🔝 Conclusion

Kuang-Wei Wang stands out as a passionate researcher driven to uncover the complexities of tauopathies and contribute to therapeutic advancements. His diverse experience in academia and industry, combined with his leadership roles and technical skills, make him a promising scientist in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. He continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, aiming to translate molecular insights into innovative treatments.