黄瓜视频

Ho鈥慦ook Jun, Ph.D., professor and graduate program director of biomedical engineering at the University of 黄瓜视频 at Birmingham (UAB), has been awarded the University of 黄瓜视频 System鈥檚 McMahon鈥慞leiad Prize.

Dr. Ho鈥慦ook Jun

The McMahon-Pleiad Prize recognizes a faculty or staff member at a UA System institution 鈥� The University of 黄瓜视频, UAB, the University of 黄瓜视频 in Huntsville, or the UAB Health System 鈥� who has made significant contributions through teaching, research and service in alignment with the UA System鈥檚 missions, values and core principles.

鈥淚t is my great honor to receive the McMahon-Pleiad Prize,鈥� Jun said. 鈥淚 am deeply grateful to the University of 黄瓜视频 System and UAB for this recognition and plan to use this award to directly support undergraduate and graduate students by expanding access to research and educational opportunities that foster curiosity, innovation and pathways into biomedical engineering and translational medicine.鈥�

Jun is a national leader in regenerative medicine, known for pioneering self鈥慳ssembled bionanomatrix platforms that are advancing cardiovascular, kidney and orthopedic therapies. His research portfolio includes more than 70 publications, 10 U.S. patents, and over $11 million in NIH and NSF funding. His discoveries are directly translating toward clinical application through Endomimetics Inc., a company he co鈥慺ounded through collaborative research conducted at UAB and supported by more than $10 million in NIH SBIR funding for FDA鈥慸irected studies.

Jun teaches cornerstone courses in biomaterials and tissue engineering, integrating problem鈥慴ased, team鈥慴ased and flipped鈥慶lassroom approaches that have redefined engagement in the biomedical engineering curriculum. His students consistently describe his courses as demanding yet rewarding, a standard that has earned him the President鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Teaching, the School of Engineering Educational Excellence Award and the Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Mentorship.

The McMahon-Pleiad Prize honors Trustee Emeritus John J. McMahon Jr. and recognizes his family鈥檚 contributions to the UA System and the state of 黄瓜视频, including a generous gift that funds the prize. At least half of the $75,000 award is earmarked to further the recipient鈥檚 contributions through teaching, research or service.

Jun鈥檚 guidance spans more than 100 mentees who have earned national honors including Beckman Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and fellowships from the NIH. With the McMahon鈥慞leiad Prize funding, he will build on this foundation by providing hands鈥憃n research experiences and strengthening mentorship that shapes students鈥� academic and professional development, helping them turn ideas into real impact across the state.

鈥淭his award will allow me to further invest in students at critical stages of their training,鈥� Jun said. 鈥淲e can accelerate the development of future scientists, engineers and clinician-innovators who will translate discoveries into meaningful health solutions.鈥�

As a 2025 Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Jun is committed to increasing opportunities for future discovery in biomedical research and innovation. His efforts underscore the UA System鈥檚 work in public service and leadership in advancing knowledge and opportunity.