Jun Ohata

Assistant Professor Jun Ohata is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on developing innovative chemical tools for protein labeling and bioconjugation, aiming to advance therapeutic applications and deepen the understanding of protein functions in living systems.

Academic Background

Dr. Ohata earned his B.S. in 2011 and M.S. in 2013 from Osaka Prefecture University, where he investigated reactive carbon species on ruthenium complexes under Professor Hiroyuki Matsuzaka. He completed his Ph.D. in 2018 at Rice University in Professor Zachary Ball's group, focusing on transition metal-mediated protein bioconjugation. As a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, JSPS, postdoctoral fellow, he conducted research in Professor Christopher Chang's lab at the University of California, Berkeley, developing detection methods for calcium and copper ions in living systems through protein labeling. Dr. Ohata joined NC State University as an Assistant Professor in July 2020.

Research Focus

Professor Ohata's research centers on selective chemical reactions on natural proteins. His group leverages expertise in organic and organometallic chemistry, protein science, bioconjugation techniques, fluorescence imaging, and biochemical analysis. The lab focuses on developing chemical tools, especially protein labeling methods, to study protein chemistry in living systems and create functional protein conjugates for material and medicinal applications.

Notable Contributions

Dr. Ohata has contributed to the advancement of bioconjugation techniques, particularly in nonaqueous media. His work includes developing labeling strategies using biomolecule-compatible, nonaqueous solvents, addressing challenges in protein labeling efficiency and selectivity. His research has implications for therapeutic applications, including cancer treatment via antibody–drug conjugates.

Awards and Honors

Professor Ohata has received several accolades, including:

• 2024–25 Goodnight Early Career Innovator Award from NC State University
• Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award, MIRA, R35, from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIGMS

Professional Engagements

Beyond his research, Dr. Ohata is dedicated to education and mentorship, fostering an inclusive environment in his lab. He emphasizes the importance of binding people and research through organic chemistry, aiming to enrich active learning and collaboration within the scientific community.

Through his innovative research and commitment to education, Assistant Professor Jun Ohata continues to contribute significantly to the fields of chemical biology and protein chemistry.