
I have been working for 20 years as an experimental hematologist in leukemia section, Genetics Branch, NCI/NIH. My main research was hematopoietic malignancy, especially myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Most cases I worked with myeloid malignancy mouse model.
My specialties are hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and flow cytometry analysis. For flow cytometry analysis, I am an early adopter of spectral flow cytometry technique (Northern light, Cytek).
I have very good knowledge and understanding in immunology, leukemia biology, and hematopoietic stem cell biology as well.
Honors & Scientific Recognition:
1. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 20. 2025
2. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 09. 2024
3. Individual CASH AWARD, May. 23. 2023
4. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 27. 2022
5. Special Joint CASH AWARD, June. 9. 2021
6. Individual CASH AWARD, May. 24. 2021
7. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 12. 2020
8. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 29. 2019
9. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 02. 2018
10. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 18. 2017
11. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 19. 2016
12. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 21. 2015
13. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 16. 2014
14. Individual CASH AWARD, April. 10. 2012
15. Junior Investigator Award, 8th International Workshop on Myeloid Stem Cell Development and
Leukemia, May 10-13, 2009, Annapolis, MD
16. Nov. 7. 2008. Exceptional pay increase, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), NCI
17. Sept. 5. 2007. Poster Award (Travel award), Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) held on July 21 -26, 2007 in Saxtons River, Vermont
Recent Publications:
1. Matsukawa T, Yin M, Baslan T, Chung YJ, Cao D, Bertoli R, Zhu YJ, Walker RL, Freeland A, Knudsen E, Lowe SW, Meltzer PS, Aplan PD. Mcm2 hypomorph leads to acute leukemia or hematopoietic stem cell failure, dependent on genetic context. The FASEB Journal, 36 (9): e22430, 2022
2. *Bertoli RM, *Chung YJ, Difilippantonio MJ, Wokasch A, Marasco MRB, Klimaszewski H, Garber S, Zhu Y, Walker R, Cao D, Khanna A, Walter MJ, Doroshow JH, Meltzer PS, and Aplan PD. The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-4'-thio-2'-deoxycytidine induces C>G transversions and acute lymphoid leukemia development. Cancer Res, 84 (15):2518-2532, 2024 (*Co-First Author)
3. Bertoli RM, Cao D, Tuckey O, Gammell S, Wokasch A, Chung YJ, Foulks J, and Aplan PD. 5-Azacytidine and Decitabine induce C>G transversions in both murine and human cells. Leukemia, doi: 10.1038/s41375-025-02670-y, 2025
4. Chung YJ, Bertoli RM, Cao D, Walker R, Zhu YJ, Meltzer PS and Aplan PD. Disruption of normal stem cell function and transmission of myelodysplastic syndrome by self-renewal of committed myeloid lineage cells. Stem Cell Reports, (20):102571, 2025