Keng Yoon Yeong (Ken) is currently the Associate Head (Industry Engagement and Enterprising) and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Science where he teaches Medicinal Chemistry and Advanced Organic Chemistry. Ken’s research focuses on medicinal chemistry with intersections to organic synthesis, biology and medicine. Broadly, the theme of Ken’s research group is targeted towards small molecule and short peptide drug discovery.

Before joining Monash University, Ken has spent 11 years as a research scientist in industry where he worked on small molecule organic synthesis and immunoassays. He has co-authored over 60 research publications in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. His group’s research activities are supported by supported by international as well as national funders such as the Royal Society of Chemistry UK, Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). He is a co-inventor for 7 patent applications and is the recipient of numerous academic awards.

• Small molecule drug discovery

Synthesis of interesting chemical scaffolds targeting cancers, infectious diseases and neurological disorders. Our group uses a parallel synthesis approach to generate libraries of compounds. An area of current interest is in retooling old drugs through rational drug design. Design strategies for synthesis include computer-aided-drug-design, SAR, hybridisation and bioisosteric replacements. 

• Short peptide drug discovery

Synthesis of short peptides targeting cancers, infectious diseases and neurological disorders. Our group uses solid-phase-peptide-synthesis (SPPS) method to generate series of short peptides. Short peptides can act as therapeutics or as fragments to improve the physicochemical characteristics of biologically active molecules.

• Semi-synthesis of bioactive compounds

Semi-synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive compounds of interest to improve their pharmacological properties.

• CHM3930 (Medicinal chemistry)
• CHM3922 (Advanced organic chemistry)