Tag: Dr. Jeongim Kim

Triptych of velvet bean related research. [From Left to right] biological scientist pipettes liquids in tray; a group of velvet bean pods at the research plot in Citra; close up of soy beans cooked at home (similar to velvet beans as researchers are attempting to elevate L-DOPA levels).

Velvet Bean’s Potential for Parkinson’s Treatment

by Eva Sailly
March 20, 2026

Mucuna pruriens, or velvet bean, naturally produces L-DOPA, the precursor to dopamine and the primary compound used to manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. When neurons lose the ability to produce dopamine, patients ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Crop Breeding, Dr. Guodong Liu, Dr. Jeongim Kim, Dr. Kelly Balmant, Dr. Md Jahidul Islam Shohag, Food Is Medicine, Horticultural Sciences, Horticultural Sciences Department, Julia Ball, L-DOPA, Max Munro, Parkinson's Disease, Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Plant Metabolism, Plant-based Medicine, PMCB, UF Health, Velvet Bean
triptych photo of three different varieties of hyperaccumulator flowers growing in Dr. Kim's lab

Phytomining: Growing a U.S. Solution to the Nickel Supply Crisis

by Eva Sailly
April 16, 2025

Dr. Jeongim Kim, associate professor and head of the Biochemical Genetics Lab for the Horticultural Sciences Department, is leading a new project providing an alternative solution to the United States’ growing demand for nickel, a pressing ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture, Invasive Species, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: ARPA-E, Biochemical Genetics, Biodiversity, Dr. Jeongim Kim, Horticultural Sciences, Hyperaccumulator, Nickel, Nickel Farming, Phytomining, Plant Breeding, Student, Teaching, The Department Of Energy

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