Dr. Young-Wook Won
Address:
30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
Academic Metrics
- h-index: 21
- i10-index: 28
- Total Citations: 1640
Research Interests:
- Immunotherapeutic Materials Development
- Cellular and Protein Engineering
- Targeted Non-Viral Gene Delivery
- Cancer Immunotherapy (NK/T-cell)
- Biomaterials and Nanotechnology
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Surface Engineering
Biography:
Dr. Young-Wook Won is an Associate Professor specializing in Biomaterials, Cell Engineering, and Immunotherapy. With over 17 years of experience, his research focuses on developing innovative therapeutic platforms to overcome limitations in cancer immunotherapy and regenerative medicine. His laboratory pioneers cellular engineering techniques for immune cells, targeted non-viral gene delivery systems using biologically based carriers, and cell surface engineering to enhance the homing and function of therapeutic cells. Dr. Won's goal is to translate these bioengineering strategies into clinically viable solutions for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Education Details
- Ph.D. (Bioengineering), Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (2008–2011)
- M.S. (Bioengineering), Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (2006–2008)
- B.S. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (1997–2005)
Professional Background
- Associate Professor (Current), Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas (since Fall 2022).
- CSO and Co-Founder, Singular Immune (Current).
- Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona (Joined 2017).
- Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center.
- Director, Recombinant Protein Core, University of Utah Health Sciences Center.
Achievements
- Successfully secured extramurally-funded research programs focused on next-generation immunotherapy.
- Pioneered the use of novel nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems and cell surface engineering technology.
Current Research Projects
Dr. Won's research is focused on developing clinically translatable therapeutic platforms:
- Development of rejuvenating materials and strategies to overcome the exhaustion of immune cells for cancer treatment.
- Engineering of natural killer (NK) cells and T-cells for enhanced anti-cancer activity using recombinant proteins and genetic modification.
- Designing self-assembled, non-viral nanoclusters using biologically-derived materials (e.g., cellulose nanocrystals) for targeted gene delivery.
Academic Profiles of Dr. Young-Wook Won
Explore his academic and professional presence across trusted platforms.
Publications:
Dr. Won's research reflects a robust publication record in the field of bioengineering and therapeutic delivery systems, with the most recent articles and reviews listed below.
- Kim, Y., Lim, S. Y., Kim, H.-O., Ha, S.-J., Park, J.-A., Won, Y.-W., Chae, S., & Lim, K. S. (2025). Combination Strategies with HSP90 Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceuticals, 18(8), 1083.
- Kim, H., Han, S., Choi, K., Lee, J., Lee, S. H., Won, Y. W., & Lim, K. S. (2023). Self-assembled Nanocomplex Using Cellulose Nanocrystal Based on Zinc/DNA Nanocluster for Gene Delivery. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, 28(1), 83-90.
- Yun, J., Han, S., Lim, K. S., Won, Y. W., Bull, D. A., Kim, Y.-H., & Kim, B.-H. (2023). Nanomaterials for Reversing NK Cell Exhaustion in Cancer Immunotherapy. Advanced Functional Materials, 33(23).
- Han, S., Lim, K. S., Blackburn, B. J., Yun, J., Putnam, C. W., Bull, D. A., & Won, Y. W. (2022). The potential of topoisomerase inhibitor-based antibody–drug conjugates. Pharmaceutics, 14(8), 1707.
- Cha, B. H., Jung, M., Kim, A. S., Lepak, V. C., Colson, B. A., Bull, D. A., & Won, Y. W. (2021). AZD2014, a dual mTOR inhibitor, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Biological Engineering, 15(1), 24.
Last Updated on October 01, 2025