Charles C. Hong, MD, PhD, FAHA, FACP

MSU Foundation Professors College of Human Medicine

• MSU Research Foundation Professor

• Chair, Department of Medicine

Bio

Dr. Charles ("Chaz") Hong is a physician-scientist, entrepreneur, Chair of the Department of Medicine, and Foundation Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

He is a pioneer in the field of chemical genetics of embryonic development. Using this innovative multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Hong elucidated the opposing roles of PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase) and ERK signaling in artery-vein specification.

His later invention of dorsomorphin, the first small-molecule inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, has reshaped our understanding of this pathway in embryonic development and disease processes, spurring clinical stage drug development programs for anemia of chronic disease, and other devastating disorders. Moreover, Dr. Hong’s small molecules are now cornerstones of nearly all protocols for generating human neural tissues from pluripotent stem cells, driving advances in neurologic disease modeling. 

Learn more about Charles Hong.