Antibody and protein engineer focused on the research and development of polymeric IgM antibodies for clinical applications. Applying computational methods and experimental biophysical techniques to engineer and enable the next generation of clinical antibodies. Research efforts involve Fv- and Fc-engineering for improved biological activity profiles, modulating effector functions, de-risking sequence liabilities, in silico developability and antigenicity assessment. Lead the computational modeling efforts at IGM towards understanding structure-function relationships and mechanisms of action.

Supervisor: Prof. William F. DeGradoI am currently working on expanding computational methods and approaches to achieve the de novo design of proteins and enzymes with complex function. I utilize computational approaches, including both physics-based (e.g. Rosetta, and MD simulation) and bioinformatic methods, in combination with protein expression and biophysical characterization (e.g. CD spectroscopy, kinetic assays, X-ray crystallography, etc.) to develop efficient and rational design approaches for functional de novo proteins. These include proteins designed for small-molecule binding, catalysis, therapeutic applications, or as model systems for exploring biophysical questions such as protein evolution, epistasis, and antibiotic resistance.Skills and Techniques:- Protein Design (Rosetta, bioinformatic approaches, etc.)- Development of Enzymatic Assays (UV-vis absorbance)- Computational Modelling and Dynamics (Molecular Dynamics (MD), DFT, etc.)- Protein Expression & Purification (Plasmid Construction, Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Affinity Column Purification, FPLC, Mass Spectrometry)- X-Ray Crystallography (Protein Crystal Structure Determination: Crystal Growth, Acquisition of Beamline Diffraction Data, Molecular Replacement, and Refinement)- Data Analysis & Model Building (Python, Origin, Excel, Pymol)

PhD Advisor: Steven G. BoxerThesis: "Electrostatics in Solvation, Catalysis, and Enzyme Evolution"In my doctoral research I utilized primarily vibrational spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and enzymology techniques to investigate the role of electric fields in enzyme catalysis. I demonstrated the application and generalizability of the Vibrational Stark Effect (VSE) to quantify electric fields in complex environments, such as enzyme active sites. Utilizing these techniques I explored the complex interplay of electric fields and chemical positioning in the evolution of TEM β-Lactamase towards extended-spectrum antibiotic resistance. This has direct implications for the physical and molecular origins of enzyme catalysis and antibiotic resistance. Skills and Techniques:- Vibrational Spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, 2D-IR)- Absorbance and Fluorescence Spectroscopy- Computational Modelling and Dynamics (Molecular Dynamics (MD), DFT, etc.)- Protein Expression & Purification (Plasmid Construction, Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Affinity Column Purification, FPLC, Mass Spectrometry)- Small-molecule Biosynthesis (Penicillin and Cephalosporin production from Fungi)- X-Ray Crystallography (Protein Crystal Structure Determination: Crystal Growth, Acquisition of Beamline Diffraction Data, Molecular Replacement, and Refinement)- Data Analysis & Model Building (Matlab, Python, Origin, Excel)

Teaching Assistant:-Chem31A-Chemical Principles I: "Stoichiometry; periodicity; electronic structure and bonding; gases; enthalpy; phase behavior. Emphasis is on skills to address structural and quantitative chemical questions; lab provides practice. Recitation."-Chem36-Organic Chemistry Laboratory I: "Techniques for separations of compounds: distillation, crystallization, extraction, chromatographic procedures, as well as MS and IR spectroscopy. Lecture treats theory; lab provides practice." -Chem183-Biochemistry II : "Focus on metabolic biochemistry: the study of chemical reactions that provide the cell with the energy and raw materials necessary for life. Topics include glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the metabolism of glycogen, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides as well as the macromolecular machines that synthesize RNA, DNA, and proteins. Medical relevance is emphasized throughout."

Honor's Advisor: Associate Professor Kristin SladeProject Title: "Macromolecular Crowding: Effect and Mechanism on the Kinetics of S. cerevisiae Alcohol Dehydrogenase"As the the first undergraduate student of the Slade lab, I developed and tested assays to investigate the role of macromolecular crowding on enzyme kinetics, in order to better understand the effect of the cellular environment on enzymatic function. I developed kinetic assays for Yeast Alcohol Dehdrogenase (YADH) and Citrate Synthase in the presence of synthetic polymers, e.g. dextrans and ficolls, as well as a range of biologically relevant small molecules and proteins, in order to study the physical origins and effects of macromolecular crowding on enzyme catalysis. This bottom-up approach was complemented with extensive viscosity and diffusion measurements to further test mechanistic hypotheses and was published in Biochemistry (2015). This research and developments served as the foundation for further training and research pursuits in the Slade lab.

Supervisor: Prof. Matthias BrewerI was involved in testing the applications of cyclodec-5-yne-1,4-dione as well as developing synthetic routes for producing a 12-membered bicyclic analog as possible medium-sized cyclic 2-alkynone precursors and intermediates. This research was published in Org. Lett. (2011).