Zhenkun Lou

Zhenkun Lou, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pharmacology and Consultant in the Department of Oncology at Mayo Clinic. He holds joint appointments in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Dr. Lou leads the Cancer Cell Genomics, Signaling and Metastasis Research Program at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses on the DNA damage response pathway and molecular mechanisms of aging, with implications for cancer therapy and longevity.

Education: PhD in Pharmacology from Mayo Graduate School (2001), postdoctoral training under Dr. Junjie Chen at Mayo Clinic Oncology Department (2006). Additional training includes a BS in Biochemistry from East China University of Science and Technology (1992).

Research Interests: Key areas include regulators of the DNA damage response (ATM/ATR kinases), longevity pathways (SIRT1), and therapeutic resistance mechanisms. His work bridges basic biology with clinical applications in radiation oncology and targeted therapies.

Publications: Over 145 peer-reviewed articles, with recent focus on PARP inhibitor resistance, radiosensitization strategies, and DNA repair mechanisms. Notable 2024-2025 studies include proton therapy optimization and Alzheimer’s disease connections to UFMylation.

Awards: Swanson/Schmucker Endowed Professorship (2022), Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance Award (2021), and multiple NIH grants. Leadership roles include Membership in American Association for Cancer Research and co-chair roles in international conferences.

Grants: Active funding includes projects on SPOP-mutated prostate cancer targeting and triple-negative breast cancer therapy. Collaborations span oncology, molecular biology, and environmental toxicology.