Jiyong Lee

Jiyong Lee is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Tyler. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and conducted postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute. His research focuses on developing chemical probes and therapeutic agents targeting cancer metastasis and recurrence, including breakthroughs in cancer stem cell (CSC) binding molecules and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) targeting compounds. He previously held an Assistant Professor position at UT Dallas, where his lab pioneered synthetic molecules for cancer research applications.

• Education: M.S. Chemistry (Yonsei University, 2001); Ph.D. Biological Chemistry (UT Southwestern, 2009)

Research interests include molecular probes for cancer mechanisms, drug development for hard-to-treat cancers, and understanding metastatic processes like EMT transitions. His work combines chemical biology with oncology to create diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Key achievements include first-in-class inhibitors for FOXC2 and CALI protein inactivation methods. Current projects focus on optimizing compounds, elucidating CSC mechanisms, and developing nanoparticle-based therapies.

Publications span high-impact journals like Nature Chemical Biology and Chemistry-A European Journal, demonstrating expertise in both basic and translational research areas.