Mayland Chang

Mayland Chang is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, within the College of Science. Her research spans biomedical chemistry, focusing on therapeutic interventions for chronic diseases and antibiotic-resistant infections.

Research Interests:

• Understanding the molecular basis of diabetic wound healing through matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, particularly MMP-8 and MMP-9.
• Designing novel small-molecule therapeutics such as ND-336 for diabetic foot ulcers.
• Developing new classes of antibiotics including quinazolinones and oxadiazoles to combat MRSA and Clostridioides difficile.
• Targeting bacterial resistance mechanisms, especially PBP2a in MRSA and spore germination pathways in C. difficile.

The recent publications show a consistent trend in targeting pathogenic mechanisms at the molecular level, combining quantitative proteomics, enzyme kinetics, and in vivo evaluation. Her work bridges chemistry and translational medicine, aiming to deliver clinically relevant therapeutics.

Scientific Leadership:

• Director, CBBI Program (2007–2022)

Dr. Chang mentors graduate students and welcomes prospective applicants to join her lab. She has secured long-term research funding enabling sustained projects in antibiotic development and wound healing. Her collaborative work with Prof. Shahriar Mobashery highlights a strong interdisciplinary team approach. She is actively involved in cutting-edge research with ongoing projects identifying active MMPs in diabetic patients and optimizing oxadiazole compounds for C. difficile treatment.