Ya Hui Hung
Dr. Ya Hui Hung is a Senior Research Fellow at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (Melbourne, Australia), leading the development of an mRNA gene therapy platform for childhood dementia. Her current research centres on developing mRNA delivery systems specifically targeting the central nervous system (CNS), with Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NP-C) as the lead indication. Additionally, her team aims to establish a broader pipeline for other lysosomal and neurodegenerative disorders. Her research in rare genetic disorders began with her PhD at the University of Melbourne, where she investigated the molecular mechanisms of Menkes disease and copper metabolism, an experience that sparked her interest in rare neurogenetic conditions. Dr. Hung has contributed to research that uncovered an impaired immune surveillance in NP-C patients, revealed potential vulnerabilities in NP-C carriers, and driven the development of mRNA therapeutics for NP-C and Alzheimer’s disease. Her research program is supported by mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund, Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), philanthropic and community grants. She is a scientific advisor of the Australian NPC Disease Foundation, a co-organiser of the annual Australian Niemann-Pick Disease Conference, and a member of the Childhood Dementia Research Alliance. She is committed to translating research into real-world impact, working in close collaboration with clinicians, industry partners, and patient advocacy groups to offer new hope for those affected by childhood dementia.
Abstracts this author is presenting: