John A. Katzenellenbogen

John A. Katzenellenbogen is a Research Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Department of Chemistry, within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He holds a B.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. His research focuses on steroid hormone-receptor interactions, designing novel ligands for cancer and neurological disease treatment, and developing radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging.

His work includes advancing estrogen receptor (ER) signaling studies, creating ER antagonists for breast cancer therapy, and developing PET imaging agents like 16α-[18F]fluoroestradiol (FES), FDA-approved for breast cancer diagnostics. He collaborates with biologists and clinicians to translate findings into clinical applications.

Notable awards include the Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame (2018), Fred Conrad Koch Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), and Gustavus John Esselen Award (2008). His research spans organic chemistry, biochemistry, and radiochemistry, with applications in oncology, endocrinology, and neurology.

Publications highlight innovations in estrogen receptor biology, drug design, and imaging technologies. His team explores molecular mechanisms of hormone action, mutation-driven cancer resistance, and immunomodulatory therapies for multiple sclerosis.