Dr. Iwao Ojima is a preeminent medicinal chemist whose pioneering work has significantly advanced drug discovery and development. He currently serves as University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at Stony Brook University, positions he has held since 1995 and 2003 respectively. After earning his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tokyo between 1968 and 1973, he established his research career at the Sagami Institute for Chemical Research from 1973 to 1983. His transition to Stony Brook University in 1983 marked the beginning of a distinguished academic career that would include serving as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry from 1997 to 2003 and founding the Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery.
Dr. Ojima's research has centered on the discovery and development of novel anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory agents through innovative synthetic organic chemistry approaches. His laboratory has produced groundbreaking work in enzyme inhibitors and targeted drug delivery systems, resulting in over 1,000 publications with more than 36,500 citations as of May 2024, reflecting an h-index of 91. He has secured 46 US patents and edited 10 books that have shaped the field of medicinal chemistry, with his discoveries translating into numerous drug candidates that have advanced to clinical trials. The practical impact of his work is evident in the therapeutic applications of his research, particularly in oncology where his contributions to cancer drug discovery have been especially influential.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Ojima has been instrumental in mentoring the next generation of scientists, having advised 143 graduate students, 73 postdoctoral researchers, and numerous undergraduate and high school students, many of whom have won prestigious science competitions. He serves as President of the National Academy of Inventors Stony Brook University Chapter since 2015 and has held editorial positions for major chemistry journals including Organometallics and Journal of Molecular Catalysis. His leadership extends to advisory roles for NIH, NSF, and DOE, where he has shaped research funding priorities in chemical biology and drug discovery. Currently, Dr. Ojima continues to drive innovation at the intersection of chemistry and biology, with his laboratory focusing on next-generation therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in cancer and infectious diseases.
