Jordan Koehn@jordankoehn0
After completing his PhD, Jordan Koehn joined Dr. Kevin Weeks' laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill, where he completed his postdoctoral training in October 2024. During this time, he was awarded multiple prestigious fellowships, including the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fellowship in the Integrated Training in Cancer Model Systems program and the NIH Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship. His postdoctoral research focused on developing and applying innovative 'omics technologies to deepen scientific understanding of RNA biology.
Dr. Koehn's research provided significant insights into how small molecules can modulate RNA function, laying the conceptual foundation for RNA-targeted therapeutics. He identified optimal RNA motifs for small-molecule interactions, a discovery that now informs ForagR Medicines' therapeutic development strategy. His ability to bridge conceptual research with practical applications exemplifies his dedication to advancing the field of RNA biology and creating impactful therapies.
Jordan's scientific contributions have been recognized with several competitive grants and research collaborations. Between 2022 and 2024, he secured $450,000 in funding through a Sponsored Research Collaboration with BASF Corporation to explore RNA-ligand interactions for the development of novel crop protection agents. He was also awarded the NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship by the NIH, which supported his research on the ligandability of bacterial RNAs. Additionally, he received the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fellowship, which provided him with specialized training in cancer model systems and equipped him with the expertise needed to integrate RNA-targeted approaches into cancer research.
These grants and collaborative initiatives reflect his ability to lead impactful research projects and secure funding to advance scientific discovery. His leadership in these efforts has paved the way for new RNA-targeted therapeutic solutions, reinforcing his commitment to addressing unmet medical needs through biotechnology.
Jordan Koehn, PhD, exemplifies a unique combination of scientific expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and leadership. As Head of Platform and Chemical Genomics at ForagR Medicines, he is dedicated to developing innovative RNA-targeted small-molecule therapeutics that have the potential to transform human health. With a deep understanding of RNA biology and a passion for scientific discovery, he aims to unlock new therapeutic possibilities and establish ForagR Medicines as a leader in the field. His work not only addresses today's most pressing medical challenges but also lays the foundation for future advancements in RNA-targeted therapeutics, shaping the future of precision medicine.
Koehn has published 18 scientific articles in the following areas: (i) small-molecule modulation of RNA biology (ii) structural factors in electron transport lipids that influence Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis, and (iii) short-lived cytotoxic vanadium metal complexes as potential cancer therapeutics.
Some of his published work with co-authors includes: “Fingerprinting Tertiary Structure in Complex RNAs Using Single-molecule Correlated Chemical Probing,” “Innovations in Targeting RNA by Fragment-based Ligand Discovery,” “Electron Transport Lipids Fold within Membrane-like Interfaces,” “Investigating Substrate Analogs for Mycobacterial MenJ: Truncated and Partially Saturated Menaquinones,” “Synthesis and Characterization of Partially and Fully Saturated Menaquinone Derivatives,” “A Synthetic Isoprenoid Lipoquinone, Menaquinone-2, Adopts a Folded Conformation in Solution and at a Model Membrane Interface,” “Halogenated Non-innocent Vanadium(V) Schiff Base Complexes: Chemical and Anti-proliferative Properties,” “Vanadium Chloro-substituted Schiff Base Catecholate Complexes are Reducible, Lipophilic, Water Stable, and Have Anticancer Activities,” “Hydrophobicity May Enhance Membrane Affinity and Anti-Cancer Effects of Schiff Base Vanadium(V) Catecholate Complexes,” “A Short-lived but Highly Cytotoxic Vanadium(V) Complex as a Potential Drug Lead for Brain Cancer Treatment by Intratumoral Injections.”