University of Virginia
College of Arts & Sciences
The Tepe Lab
Our Research
The Tepe Lab moved to the University of Virginia in January 2024, from Michigan State University. Our group is made up of highly skilled and diverse people from all over the world. We specialize in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and chemical biology. The group’s focus is on studying protein degradation systems and developing small molecules to alter them. We also create novel ways to synthesize natural products and their derivatives as possible therapeutic leads. Our overall goal is to develop new therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Recent Publications
Recent Advancements in 20S Proteasome Enhancement: Degradation of Undruggable Targets
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Sydney G. Cobb and Jetze J. Tepe
Tungsten-Enabled Diels–Alder Cycloaddition and Cycloreversion of Arenes and Alkynes: Divergent Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Barrelenes and Arenes
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Jeremy M. Block, Evan Savelson, Alvin Q. Meng, Megan N. Ericson, Ishaan U. Patel, Diane A. Dickie, Jetze J. Tepe, and W. Dean Harman
A Tetrazine-Based Synthesis for Accessing Underutilized Aza-Indole Analogues
Chemistry: A European Journal
Evan Savelson, Katarina A. Selewski, and Jetze J. Tepe*
Short and High-Yielding Synthesis of a Minimalist Diazirine–Alkyne Photo-Cross-Linker and Photoaffinity Labeling Derivatives
ACS Omega
Dare E. George, Miracle O. Olatunde, and Jetze J. Tepe*
Latest News & Events
November 17, 2025
We are proud to announce another amazing Dr. has come out of the Tepe lab - Dr. Sydney Cobb! We've been so fortunate to have her as a member of the lab (and a friend!) these past 5 years.
November 15, 2025
Miracle did a great job giving an oral presentation at the Commonwealth of Virginia Cancer Research conference (CVCRC)!
November 14, 2025
A huge congratulations to the newly minted Dr. Evan Savelson! We are so proud of all the great work you've done in the Tepe lab and will miss you when you head off to UW Madison for your post-doc!
November 7, 2025
The Tepe lab won the Shut the Sash competition raffle! We're proud of our lab's continued efforts to maintain safe and sustainable laboratory practices! A special shout out to Kayla for spearheading this effort!
November 1, 2025
Miracle was chosen as the 2025 Sigma Xi's International Forum of Research Excellence Student Research Competition winner out of 300 people in the graduate division of chemistry! Along with this prestigious award she will receive induction into the Sigma Xi society, a cash prize, and a medal. We are so proud of you, Miracle!