Zinah Hilal Khaleel
Senior Lecturer of Chemistry
Profile summary
Chemist with a Ph.D. in Nano Science and specialization in chemical biology, organic chemistry, and peptide-based molecular design. Research focuses on the development of photoactive metalloproteins, peptide-small molecule hybrids, and biosensing platforms for biomedical applications. Published in prestigious journals including PNAS, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, and co-inventor of a patented photochemically switchable peptide complex. Recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Korean Research Award, secured two competitive research grants during doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. Experienced in interdisciplinary collaboration with leading international groups (e.g. UC San Francisco-DeGardo Lab). Committed to advancing research at the interface of chemistry, biology and Translational medicine.
Career highlights
Developed Ca(II) Responsive Indicator: Led development of a Ca(II) responsive indicator for sarcopenia diagnosis, culminating in a manuscript submission.
Secured $200K Research Grant: Secured and managed a $200K research grant from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS).
Key skills
Professional experience
Developed and taught undergraduate courses in biochemistry, organic chemistry and analytical chemistry, integrating modern laboratory techniques and teaching methodology to a class of 400+ student. Led curriculum development efforts to align course work with international standards. Supervised graduation projects of two student groups (three students each) on drug design using PyMOL and AlphaFold with a focus on modeling aspirin and minoxidil. Continued writing and submission of manuscripts based on previous research at SKKU in collaboration with the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research.
- Developed and taught undergraduate courses in biochemistry, organic chemistry and analytical chemistry, integrating modern laboratory techniques and teaching methodology to a class of 400+ student.
- Led curriculum development efforts to align course work with international standards.
- Supervised graduation projects of two student groups (three students each) on drug design using PyMOL and AlphaFold with a focus on modeling aspirin and minoxidil.
- Continued writing and submission of manuscripts based on previous research at SKKU in collaboration with the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research.
Led the development of a Ca(II) responsive indicator for sarcopenia diagnosis, culminating in an under submission manuscript. Secured and managed a $200K research grant Institute for Basic Science (IBS), ensuring timely delivery of project milestones and results. Mentored one M.Sc. and one Ph.D. student, guiding research design projects and manuscript preparation. Collaborated with the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR) to develop advanced brain imaging indicators.
- Led the development of a Ca(II) responsive indicator for sarcopenia diagnosis, culminating in an under submission manuscript.
- Secured and managed a $200K research grant Institute for Basic Science (IBS), ensuring timely delivery of project milestones and results.
- Mentored one M.Sc. and one Ph.D. student, guiding research design projects and manuscript preparation.
- Collaborated with the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR) to develop advanced brain imaging indicators.
Authored and submitted a research grant to the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), focusing on the development of MRI agents
- Authored and submitted a research grant to the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), focusing on the development of MRI agents
Mentored first year students in chemical biology, supporting their understanding through lectures and hands on lab guidance.
- Mentored first year students in chemical biology, supporting their understanding through lectures and hands on lab guidance.
Conducted interdisciplinary research in organic chemistry and chemical biology, designing light and Ca2+ switchable peptide-organic hybrid as conformationally responsive biosensors. Collaborated with international institutions, including UCSF (DeGrado Lab) and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), on projects involving molecular design. Published four peer-reviewed papers, including three first author publication in prestigious journals (e.g. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Advanced Therapeutics). Secured research funding from the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), focusing on the development of MRI contrast agents.
- Conducted interdisciplinary research in organic chemistry and chemical biology, designing light and Ca2+ switchable peptide-organic hybrid as conformationally responsive biosensors.
- Collaborated with international institutions, including UCSF (DeGrado Lab) and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), on projects involving molecular design.
- Published four peer-reviewed papers, including three first author publication in prestigious journals (e.g. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Advanced Therapeutics).
- Secured research funding from the IBS Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), focusing on the development of MRI contrast agents.
Delivered lectures both theory and laboratory to first- and third-grade college of pharmacy students, covering core topics in organic chemistry and biochemistry, class of 300+ student. Developed course materials and implemented active learning, resulted in a 15% improvement in student performance.
- Delivered lectures both theory and laboratory to first- and third-grade college of pharmacy students, covering core topics in organic chemistry and biochemistry, class of 300+ student.
- Developed course materials and implemented active learning, resulted in a 15% improvement in student performance.
Mentored 100+ first year students in general chemistry, overseeing laboratory experiment and supplementary lectures. Developed new laboratory experiment to improve student understanding of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics.
- Mentored 100+ first year students in general chemistry, overseeing laboratory experiment and supplementary lectures.
- Developed new laboratory experiment to improve student understanding of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics.
Education
Thesis: Design of Photoactive Metalloprotein and Functional Protein for Biomedical Applications
Thesis: Synthesis of Binaphthyl Conjugated Spiropyran via Click Chemistry and its Application as a Metal Sensor