Rate My Professor Jessica Kwok

Professor Jessica C. F. Kwok holds the position of Professor in Neuroglycoscience in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, at the University of Leeds. She obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Hong Kong in 2004, preceded by studies in Biochemistry there from 1997 to 1999. After her PhD, she served as a Research Associate in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge from May 2005 to February 2016. She joined the University of Leeds in February 2016 as a Fellow, advanced to Associate Professor in May 2019, and was subsequently promoted to Professor. Additionally, she held a visiting scientist position at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, from 2017 to 2023.

The research of the Kwok Lab centers on the mechanisms underlying perineuronal net (PNN) assembly and their role in regulating central nervous system functions under physiological and pathological conditions. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach encompassing molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, in vivo models, and medicinal chemistry, her work seeks to promote neuroplasticity for enhanced functional recovery following spinal cord injuries and to bolster memory and learning in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Her areas of expertise include perineuronal nets, plasticity, glycosaminoglycans, extracellular matrix, spinal cord injury, and neurodegeneration. Professor Kwok is principal investigator on the BBSRC-funded UK-Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans Academy (2025-2028) and co-investigator on the HORIZON Europe GLYCOCALYX MSCA Doctoral Network. She serves as council member for the European Society for Neurochemistry since 2023, member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Neurotrauma Society since 2021, and is involved in the University of Leeds steering group on Research Culture. Her professional memberships include the International Society for Neurochemistry, Federation for European Neuroscience, UK Biochemical Society, and International Society of Hyaluronan Sciences.

Key publications include 'Restoring the pattern of perineuronal net sulphation corrects age-related memory loss' (2020), 'Brain ageing changes proteoglycan sulfation, rendering perineuronal nets more inhibitory' (2017), 'Low oral dose of 4-methylumbelliferone reduces glial scar but is insufficient to induce functional recovery after spinal cord injury' (2023), and 'Modifying perineuronal nets to improve neuroplasticity published in Molecular Psychiatry' (2021). Professor Kwok contributes to undergraduate teaching on neurotransmission, synaptic communication, extracellular matrix, and neuroplasticity, supervises multiple PhD students, and engages in public outreach on brain communication, neuroplasticity, extracellular matrix, and spinal cord injury.