Hakwon Kim

Professor Hakwon Kim's research lab specializes in the discovery and development of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly targeting bacterial pathogens affecting agriculture and human health. The lab focuses on designing and synthesizing small molecules with selective antibacterial activity, using structural optimization strategies to enhance potency and selectivity. A key research direction involves the development of naphthalene-based cationic compounds, such as naphthalene-2-acyl imidazolium salts (NAIMSs), which show potent activity against bacterial pathogens like Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causative agent of rice bacterial leaf blight. The lab also investigates the mechanisms of action, including bacteriostatic effects and structure-activity relationships, to guide the rational design of next-generation antimicrobials.