Professor awarded half million dollars for breast cancer research

South Dakota State University faculty member Youngjae You was awarded a $503,666 government grant for breast cancer research.

You, an assistant professor of organic/medicinal chemistry at State, was one of 61 recipients among 1,015 applicants for the Idea Award, given by the Breast Cancer Research Program through the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

With $2.2 billion awarded since it was established in 1992, the Breast Cancer Research Program is the second largest funding agency for breast cancer research in the world. The program challenges the scientific community to design innovative research that will foster new directions for, address neglected issues in and bring new investigators into the field of breast cancer research.

The Idea Award supports highly innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries of major advancements that will accelerate the eradication of breast cancer.

You will serve as principal investigator for the research project, entitled “Targeted Delivery and Remote-controlled Release of Chemotherapeutic Agents.”

You’s research spans the identification, design, and synthesis of small molecules for medical and biological applications. His work focuses on developing new photosensitizers, an emerging cancer treatment that is highly selective and relatively non-toxic compared to current therapeutics.