Jung-Mo Ahn

Dr. Jung-Mo Ahn is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. His research focuses on designing small organic molecules to modulate protein-protein interactions and peptide/protein chemistry, particularly targeting cancer therapies. He leads the Ahn Lab, which employs chemical synthesis, combinatorial chemistry, and biophysical methods to develop novel therapeutics.

Education:

• BS in Chemistry, Seoul National University (1992)
• MS in Chemistry, Seoul National University (1994)
• PhD in Chemistry, University of Arizona (2000)
• Postdoctoral Associate, The Scripps Research Institute (2004)

Research interests include peptide/protein secondary structure mimicry, inhibition of cancer-related protein interactions, and drug design. His lab has developed oligo-benzamide tools for biological modulation and explored LIPA inhibition in ovarian cancer. Recent work targets androgen receptors in prostate cancer and ER coregulators in breast cancer.

Awards include the Thieme Chemistry Journal Award (2011) and Junior Faculty Award from the American Diabetes Association (2007). He has secured grants such as a $886,000 CPRIT award for tris-benzamide research. His work emphasizes overcoming drug resistance via novel molecular targeting strategies.

Labs/Teams: Ahn Lab (specializing in medicinal chemistry and bioorganic synthesis).