Dr. Kyeong-Ok Chang's lab focuses on developing antiviral drugs targeting coronaviruses, including those responsible for SARS and MERS, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Their research involves creating small molecule inhibitors that prevent the virus from replicating by blocking a key enzyme essential for its growth. This work is particularly critical given the lack of approved treatments for these dangerous viruses, and aims to improve public health by advancing preclinical drug candidates.