It is with a heavy heart and immense gratitude that we remember Dr. Yoonkyung Do, a brilliant immunologist at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in Korea, who sadly passed away on March 28 at the age of 43. Dr. Do’s journey was a beautiful testament to both resilience and dedication—qualities she embodied throughout her career, especially in her pursuit of knowledge amidst the challenges posed by recurrent ovarian cancer, which she valiantly battled since her graduate studies in the United States.
Despite enduring the rigors of chemotherapy for five long years, Dr. Do remained an inspiring leader and a powerhouse in her field. She actively supported her students and colleagues, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. Her infectious enthusiasm for advancing scientific understanding and her unwavering commitment to mentorship left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to have worked with her.
Dr. Do earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Pohang University of Science and Technology in 1995, and she went on to pursue a Master of Science at Seoul National University in 1997. Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Immunology from the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she gained a profound understanding of immune responses, thanks in part to the guidance of the legendary Ralph M. Steinman. His mentorship greatly influenced her focus on dendritic cells (DCs), an area that became central to her noteworthy research.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Do made significant contributions to our understanding of DCs and their critical roles in immune responses. Her remarkable work earned her recognition, including the Gold Prize in Bio Engineering & Life Science at the 2015 Samsung Human-Tech Thesis Competition. In her final research publication in Cell Reports, she unveiled the important role of CD8α(-) DCs in the differentiation of T follicular helper cells.1 This transformative research contributes immensely to developing more effective vaccines and therapeutic strategies, reflecting her lasting impact on the field.
Dr. Do’s insights in research were complemented by her heartfelt philosophy on life. In her later years, she shared a sentiment that deeply resonates with her colleagues and students: “People keep telling me I should recuperate, but work is more comforting than anything to me. Doing research and interacting with my colleagues is my own way of recuperating.” This profound statement perfectly encapsulated her passion for science and the genuine connections she nurtured with others, even while facing life’s challenges.
In a touching tribute to the values she held dear, Dr. Do once penned a memorial letter to her mentor, Professor Steinman after his untimely passing in 2011.2 Today, we reflect on her extraordinary legacy with both sorrow and admiration. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge, generous contributions to the immunology community will always be celebrated and remembered with warmth and appreciation.
1. Shin C, Han JA, Koh H, Choi B, Cho Y, Jeong H, et al. CD8α(−) dendritic cells induce antigen-specific T follicular helper cells generating efficient humoral immune responses. Cell Rep 2015;11(12):1929-1940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.05.042
2. Do Y. In memory of Ralph Steinman. J Periodontal Implant Sci 2011;41(5):209-210. https://doi.org/10.5051/jpis.2011.41.5.209