Biography and expertise
Ph. D. (2000) University of California, Los Angeles; Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
M.S. (1994) Seoul National University; Agricultural Chemistry
B.S.(1992) Seoul National University: Agricultural Chemistry
M.S. (1994) Seoul National University; Agricultural Chemistry
B.S.(1992) Seoul National University: Agricultural Chemistry
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Univ of California-Los Angeles, 2000
Master's Degree
MS in Agriculture
Seoul National University, 1994
Bachelor's Degree
BA in Agriculture
Seoul National University, 1992
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Kang, Hong Gu. Characterization of tRNA-Derived small RNAs as Signaling Molecules and Positive Transcriptional Regulators in Plant Immunity, USDA, Federal, $741697. (Submitted: February 2025, Funded: February 1, 2026 - January 30, 2029). Grant.
- Kang, Hong Gu (Principal). Characterization of epigenetic factors and their regulatory roles in modulating transposable elements, plant immunity and transgenerational inheritance., NSF, Federal, $786023. (Funded: February 2016 - February 2023). Grant.
- Kang, Hong Gu (Principal). Texas State University Multi-disciplinary Internal Research Grant. (Funded: 2014 - 2015). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Inamdar, S., Sargordi, A., Choity, T. K., Emami, A., Kim, J. Y., Kang, H. G., & Kim, N. (2026). Additively Manufactured Electrothermal Thin-Film Heaters for On-Chip Isothermal DNA Amplification. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 399, 117434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2025.117434
- Shadman, W., Mannan, M. I., Choity, T. K., Hwang, S. S., Lee, G.-H., Kang, H. G., & Kim, N. (2026). Electrochemical detection of tRNA-derived fragment (tRF) biomarkers using a multi-functionalized carbon electrode. Surfaces and Interfaces, 83, 108446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108446
- Kang, H. G. (2025). A nuclear tRNA-derived fragment triggers immunity in Arabidopsis. Communications Biology.
- Nam, J. C., Bhatt, P. S., Bonnard, A., Pujara, D. S., & Kang, H. G. (2024). Arabidopsis MORC1 and MED9 interact to regulate defense gene expression and plant fitness. Plant Pathology Journal, 40, 438–450. https://doi.org/10.5423/PPJ.OA.07.2024.0107
- Kang, H. G. (2023). Co-immunoprecipitation for assessing protein-protein interactions in Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana. Methods in Molecular Biology, 2690, 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3327-4_9
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Research Award, Texas State University. September 2020 - August 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Awards, COSE. August 2017
- Award / Honor Recipient: NSF CAREER Award, NSF. 2016
- Award / Honor Recipient: ASPB Recognition Travel Award, American Society of Plant Biologist. 2015
- Award / Honor Recipient: Travel Award, Plant Biology 2013 - American Society of Plant Biologist. 2013
Featured service activities
- Chair
Institutional Biosafety Committee
- Member
Search Committee for the Assistant Vice President and Chief Research Compliance Officer
- Member
Scholarship Committee, Korean-American Scientist & Engineer Association
- Officer
Austin Chapter of Korean-American Scientist & Engineer Association
- Editorial Review Board Member
Plant Biotechnology Reports
Technical Support Personnel