Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences2014–2023
Hangang National University Seoul, Republic of Korea
Thesis: Mapping Dendritic Cell Heterogeneity Across Chronic Inflammatory Contexts. Advisor: Min-Ho Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
Tyler Durden, Ph.D.
Computational Single-Cell Scientist
Moving from wet-lab immunology into computational neuroscience. I build methods that infer cellular identity, state, and interaction from large, incomplete single-cell and spatial data. Research objective: connect molecular cell identity to circuit structure and function by integrating connectomics with transcriptomics, growing into connectome-constrained circuit models.
Education
M.S., Biomedical Sciences2012–2014
Hangang National University Seoul
B.S., Genetic Engineering2008–2012
Suwon Institute of Life Sciences Suwon
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher2025–2026
Nakdong University Wonju College of Medicine Physiology / Cellular Systems Research Center
Developed deep-learning multimodal-integration models fusing imaging, transcriptomic, and clinical data into single predictive models.
Associate Director2023–2025
Meridian Immune Therapeutics Inc. Basic Research, Seoul
Built in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis code from scratch; led cross-functional NHP (cynomolgus, marmoset) EAE/MS multi-omic studies; oversaw regulatory documentation for an anti-CD25 humanized-antibody program.
Manager, Basic Research2021–2023
Meridian Immune Therapeutics Inc. Seoul
Researcher2019–2021
Xenotransplantation Research Center, HNU Seoul
Rhesus macaque tissue processing, longitudinal immune monitoring, CNS (brain and spinal cord) tissue handling.
Research Student, MOSAIC2020–2023
Multi-Organ Single-cell Atlas of Immune Cells, Genomic Medicine Institute, HNU
Contributed the founding proposal; executed within the funded program (500+ donors across 6 organs): milestone tracking, multi-site QC, multi-PI coordination.
Selected Publications
Reyes M*, Durden T*, Alvarez T*, et al. Conserved PDE9X short-isoform bias defines pathogenic Th1.17 state across human inflammatory diseases. Nature Immunology IF 27.7, under review, 2026. scRNA + scTCR + snATAC integration; classifier AUC 0.812; 702 samples, 251,055 CD4 T cells.
Durden T*, Tanaka Y*, Truong P*, et al. Immune cell-enriched scRNA-seq unveils infiltrated CD8 T resident memory cells and meningeal lymphatic endothelium in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neuroimmunology IF 2.9, 2025. 11,587 cells.
Durden T*, Delgado J*, Moreau S, et al. Deciphering Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells in Vitiligo. Allergy IF 12.6, 2025.
Alvarez J*, Durden T*, et al. Long-term control of diabetes by a baricitinib-based regimen after allo-islet transplantation in rhesus monkeys. Xenotransplantation IF 3.9, 2024.
Novak L*, Durden T*, et al. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity and immune escape of melanoma from chronic UV photodamage by spatial gene expression. JEADV IF 9.2, 2022.
Durden T*, et al. mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression in allogeneic islet transplantation. Islets IF 2.2, 2019. Co-author: eBioMedicine (2024), JEADV (2024), Curr. Diabetes Reports (2021).
Awards and Patents
Antagonistic Anti-CD25 Humanized Antibody, Patent 10202400918452024
Immunosuppression Composition with PI3K Inhibitor, Patent 10201434962172019
Grand Prize, AI Builders Hackathon (Project Nova) and Metro Innovation Workathon2023–2024
Best Poster, American Transplant Congress, Chicago. NRF, BK21 Plus scholarships2014–2020
References
Min-Ho Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, HNU College of Medicine; CEO/CSO, Meridian Immune. Ph.D. advisor.
mhsuh@hangang.ac.krJi-Won Baek, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology / IBRI, HNU. Computational co-corresponding.
jwbaek@hangang.ac.krDae-Ho Yoon, Ph.D.
Professor, Physiology, Nakdong University Wonju College of Medicine. Recent supervisor.
dhyoon@nakdong.ac.kr