Executive Committee

Wayne Frasch, Professor, School of Life Sciences

Ian Gould, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Stephen Albert Johnston, Professor, School of Life Sciences

Stephen Massia, Associate Professor, Bioengineering

Timothy Newman, Professor, Biophysics

Rosemary Renaut, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics

Trevor Thornton, Professor, Electrical Engineering

Neal Woodbury, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Morteza Abbaszadegan, Ph.D.
Our research team is focused on contemporary water quality issues related to health. Our water microbiology work includes microbial detection methodologies, pathogen inactivation and removal mechanisms during water treatment processes, water quality in water distribution systems, microbial induced taste and odor in drinking water, and endocrine disruptors. View research website >>

James Allen, Ph.D.
Our research focuses on investigating the molecular basis for the neurological disease spinal muscular atrophy, developing molecular models for the evolution from anoxygenic to oxygenic photosynthesis, and structural analysis of the mechanisms of metalloproteins. View research website >>

Ariel Anbar, Ph.D.
Researchers in the Anbar group use chemical concepts and approaches to study geological, chemical and biological processes that shape the Earth's surface environment and how they have changed through time. Our efforts center on the development and application of novel analytical techniques, particularly using mass spectrometry to study the abundances and isotopic compositions of transition elements. View research website >>

Jennifer Bllain Christen, PhD
Our research focuses on using engineering principles to design and fabricate innovative systems for biological and life science research. We use analytical (circuit design, FEA, theoretical biology and chemistry) and empirical (microfabrication, bioassays, soft lithography/microfluidics) techniques in creating these systems. More specifically, these systems involve design of analog and mixed-mode integrated electronics for direct interface, via non-traditional fabrication techniques, to aqueous environments with special emphasis on biological materials. View research website >>

Yung Chang, M.D., Ph.D.
Lymphocyte development and its association with leukemia formation The competent immune system has the capability to fight off any diseases, including bacterial and viral infections as well as cancers because the system is composed of hundreds of million of cells that can recognize any pathogens or foreign agents. The diverse repertoire of these recognition molecules is created by randomly recombining gene segments via a process, known as V(D)J recombination. Defects in this recombination process could lead to immunodeficiency and lymphoid malignancy. My lab focuses on molecular mechanisms of the recombination process. We have created recombination-inducible cellular models from both wild type and immunodeficient mutant mice to delineate and characterize various steps of the process proceeding from DNA cleavage to end joining. We are also investigating the oncogenic potential of defective recombination and trying to identify risk factors that are associated with malignant transformation of lymphoid cells. View research website >>

John Chaput, Ph.D.
We are interested in the structure-function relationship of natural and non-natural biopolymer systems capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution. This involves an interdisciplinary approach to chemical biology that combines traditional synthetic organic chemistry and molecular biology with genetics, proteomics, material science and structural biology. Specific projects in our laboratory include: 1) the directed molecular evolution of novel protein folds; 2) genome-wide searches for hidden ribosomal entry sites; and 3) the design and characterization of artificial protein affinity reagents. View research website >>

Qiang "Shawn" Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Chen focuses on two areas of basic plant biology research: gene expression and protein trafficking. His interest in gene expression includes how these expressions are controlled in plants at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. He seeks to identify and characterize new genetic elements that control gene expression. And he researches the regulation and mechanism of protein post-translational modification and assembly View research website >>

Petra Fromme, Ph.D.
The unraveling of the structure and function of membrane proteins is one of the most challenging goals in the post-genomic era and the major focus of our research group. The most important processes in all living cells--respiration, photosynthesis, cell communication, cell import/export, cell-growth and recognition--are catalyzed and regulated by membrane proteins. Bio-inspired design of membrane proteins with new functionality is used for development of new concepts in bio-energy and medical research. View research website >>

Giovanna Ghirlanda, Ph.D.
Our research focuses on the rational design of functional proteins. We are particularly interested in two areas: 1) design of new membrane proteins as catalysts for applications in bioremediation and bioenergy; 2) engineering novel carbohydrate-binding domains, for applications in antiviral and cancer therapy. We use a variety of tools including computer modeling, chemical synthesis and molecular biology, X-ray and NMR, functional assays, and biophysical methods in our investigation. View research website >>

Rolf Halden, PhD
My research group explores the connection between anthropogenic activities, environmental quality and human health. We seek to advance public health and societal sustainability through the use of green chemistry, green engineering and bioremediation. Current work concentrates on the genomic and proteomic characterization of microbes feasting on toxic pollutants, the development of in situ microcosm arrays for enhanced environmental monitoring, and the determination of body burdens and adverse health outcomes from fetal and adult exposures to manmade chemicals. View research website >>

Shelley Haydel, Ph.D.
Research in the Haydel lab is centered around two projects aimed at understanding host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level and investigating the broad-spectrum antibacterial activities of specific mineral nanomaterials. Using transcriptomic, proteomic, molecular, cellular, and host pathogenesis approaches, our goal is to determine how Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an extraordinary successful pathogen, uses two-component regulators to mediate disease processes in humans. A second project encompasses a multi-disciplinary approach using geological, chemistry, microbiological, and applied medical/ clinical techniques to unravel the secrets of natural nanominerals that have antibacterial effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and diseases for which there are no known therapeutic agents, such as advanced Mycobacterium ulcerans infections. View research website >>

Jiping He, Ph.D.
Our research focuses on neural prosthetics for restoration of motor and cognitive functions; neural rehabilitation for functional recovery after stroke or spinal cord injury; rehabilitation robotics; multi-media environment for integrated perception, cognition and motor function rehabilitation; neural interface technologies; massive data analyses and visualization. View research website >>

Brenda Hogue, Ph.D.
Our research focuses on how RNA viruses assemble. Coronaviruses, a large family of medically important viruses, are used as our primary model system. Interdisciplinary approaches including basic molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, microscopy, proteomics and structural biology are used to understand the molecular mechanisms of virus production. We are also using results from these studies to help identify potential antiviral targets and develop/identify safe vaccine platforms against the viruses. View research website >>

Bertram Jacobs, Ph.D.
Our research team is interested in how viruses evade our innate immune defense systems. We have characterized several novel genes in vaccinia virus that allow this virus to evade the host’s defenses. We are using this information to develop safer smallpox vaccines, to increase immunogenicity of vaccinia virus vectors and to develop oncolytic viruses, which can specifically kill cancer cells. View research website >>

Stephen Albert Johnston, Ph.D.
Our primary emphasis for graduate student training is learning to use discipline training in biochemistry/molecular biology as disruptively as possible. We train to invent. Our research focus now is on 1) a preventative cancer vaccine and 2) a system to measure biosignatures of health in near real-time for presymptomatice detection of disease. View research website >>

Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Ph.D.
My team’s primary area of research interest is biotransformations and fate of environmental contaminants with an emphasis on environmental applications of molecular microbial ecology. Other areas of interest include bioremediation of soil, sediments, and groundwater and the use of microbial systems for bioenergy production. View research website >>

Kenro Kusumi, Ph.D.
Our research focuses on the early development of the spine and disruptions that lead to congenital and idiopathic scoliosis. We are using genomic, bioinformatic, genetic and developmental approaches in mouse and cell culture model systems together with human clinical genetic studies to identify the factors contributing to spinal birth defects. Dr. Kusumi is a founding member of the International Consortium for Vertebral Anomalies and Scoliosis (http://www.icvas.org). View research website >>

Doug Lake, Ph.D.
A primary focus of our research is to discover and validate novel peptides and proteins produced by tumors with the objective of developing a vaccine that prevents multiple types of cancer. In a multidisciplinary setting, we employ proteomics, bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology to accomplish this goal. A secondary focus of the laboratory is to study the immune response to Coccidioides, the fungus that causes Valley Fever. View research website >>

Lei Lei, Ph.D.
Our research group studies how neurons and neural circuits are generated in mammalian brains using transgenic, knockout, and conditional knockout mice. Through detailed analysis of these genetically engineered mice using molecular, cellular, imaging, and behavioral approaches, we are continuing to make fundamental contributions into understanding how neurons and neural circuits are formed and how this complicated process is regulated. A thorough understanding of brain development has important therapeutic implications in treating neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic pain diseases, and we have made animal models for several of these disorders. View research website >>

Marcia Levitus, Ph.D.
Our research team focuses on the development and application of state-of-the-art techniques of single molecule detection to study complex biological systems. We use these techniques to study the conformational dynamics of nucleic acids and nucleoprotein assemblies such as nucleosomes. View research website >>

Stuart Lindsay, Ph.D.
Our research explores single molecule biophysics, especially the electronic and mechanical properties of single molecules studied by scanning probe microscopy. Our research team’s particular interests include in mapping epigenetic modifications at the single molecule level and new physical approaches to DNA sequencing. View research website >>

Yan Liu, Ph.D.
Our research program is highly interdisciplinary which combines Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Material Science. Our goal is to develop nanoparticle based multi-component and multi-functional nanostructures using self-assembly and DNA directed self-assembly, to characterize their unique optical properties, and explore their applications in bio-imaging, biosensing. View research website >>

Deirdre Meldrum, Ph.D.
From sampling and characterizing marine microbes to gaining a better understanding of cancer cell response to therapy, the Center for Ecogenomics applies microfluidic and sensing technologies to immobilize, maintain and interrogate individual living cells.Traditional population-averaged physiological measurements on large numbers of cells do not adequately capture the mechanisms of disease because gene expression is highly heterogeneous and diseased cells are aberrant. Researchers in the Center address cell-to-cell variations in physiological parameters by conducting studies using labs on chips to quantify cellular activities such as respiration and protein expression at the single-cell level. View research website >>

Tsafrir Mor, Ph.D.
The overarching theme of our research is protein engineering with an emphasis on the use of plants as novel expression systems and focuses on applying this research in the area of advancing human health in this country and around the world. At present, our research focuses on finding solutions to two seemingly disparate medical problems that have some common threads. One project aims to create novel countermeasures against poisoning by organophosphorous chemical warfare (and pesticide) nerve agents. The other project’s goal is to create a preventative mucosal vaccine against HIV-1. In both projects, protein-based pharmaceuticals bear the promise of efficacious prophylaxis and therapy, and in both cases an inexpensive scalable production system is required. View research website >>

Stuart Newfeld, Ph.D.
Our research is focused on molecular and developmental genetics of growth factors focusing on TGF-b family members. We work to understand signal transduction in heart development and cancer using Drosophila. View research website >>

Timothy Newman, Ph.D.
Our research focus centers around large-scale computer models of embryogenesis and is led by professor Newman, who is a systems biologist,. We are also interested in quantifying the role of fluctuations in biological systems, over scales ranging from biochemical networks to ecological populations. View research website >>

Kaushal Rege, Ph.D.
Our lab works on molecular and nanoscale therapeutics for advanced cancer disease. Research topics include targeted therapeutics, combination treatments, death receptor mediated apoptosis, multifunctional nanoparticles, intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles in cancer cells, and polymer-mediated gene delivery all with an eye towards enhancing cancer cell death. View research website >>

Bruce Rittmann, Ph.D.
A goal of our research is to manage microbial communities to provide services to society.The services include clean up of pollution, capture of renewable energy, and improving human health. The research is highly inter-disciplinary, applying concepts and tools from many areas of biology, chemistry, and engineering. View research website >>

Daniel Rivera, Ph.D.
Research efforts in the Control Systems Engineering Laboratory are focused on applying concepts from dynamical systems and control engineering towards improving time-varying interventions for chronic, relapsing disorders in behavioral health. These interventions play an increasingly prominent role in a wide variety of areas of public health importance, among these drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, cancer, mental health, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular health, and aging. The research program is highly interdisciplinary in character, involving psychologists, statisticians, computer scientists, and various engineering disciplines. View research website >>

Everett Shock, Ph.D.
Exploring the linkages between geochemical energy supply and biochemical energy demands, with an emphasis on the dark biosphere is the focus of our team. We incorporate systems biology via environmental genomics into geochemical reactive transport modeling. We also study Hydrothermal Processes throughout the Solar System. View research website >>

Mike Sierks, PhD
Research interests include antibody based therapeutics for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Other areas include Ligand/receptor interactions, catalytic antibodies and enzyme mechanisms. View research website >>

Kathryn Sykes, Ph.D.
Our goals are to build new approaches toward ideal vaccines and to use this vision to drive mechanistic insights into how the immune system works. We have developed a number of molecular technologies to functionally filter pathogen genomes into only those sequences that encode protective components. We are examining how to molecularly manipulate and format these possible vaccine candidates for safe, inexpensive administration, and how to combine them with particle and delivery sciences to enhance strength and durability of immunity. View research website >>

Trevor Thornton, Ph.D.
Our team’s research interests include low-power, high efficiency electronic circuits for implantable electronics and biological sensors based on micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS). View research website >>

Willem Vermaas, Ph.D.
Our research is focused on the molecular physiology of cyanobacteria, which are oxygen-producing photosynthetic prokaryotes; metabolic engineering to improve biofuel production; biosynthesis and degradation of photosynthetic pigments and their relatives. View research website >>

Rebekka Wachter, Ph.D.
Our laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanisms of protein self-processing reactions, known to be essential in the generation functional diversity from a common protein scaffold. In a related project, we are investigating the structural basis of color evolution in fluorescent proteins, a family of proteins in which the same set of colors has evolved independently along several lineages: cyan, green, yellow, and red. A third project is focused on the regulation of carbon fixation in higher plants and green algae. View research website >>

Joseph Wang, Ph.D.
Research interests include nanobiotechnology, nanobiomaterials and biosensors for a large range of applications, from monitoring of diabetes, to improved diagnostics, to national security initiatives such as detection of explosives. View research website >>

Neal Woodbury, Ph.D.
Our interests span several areas including 1) bioenergy and photosynthesis: fundamental studies of photosynthetic reaction center mechanism and development of new catalysts for energy conversion, 2) chemical diversity: creating, searching and evolving large synthetic libraries for the development of new function (catalysis, synthetic antibodies, new materials), and 3) Chromatin structure and dynamics: using spectroscopic methods to probe the role of nucleosome dynamics in gene expression. View research website >>

Hao Yan, Ph.D.
My group is interested in bio-inspired self-assembly of nanostructures, particularly using DNA as an assembly element. We would like to use this new technology to develop molecular motors, sensors and templates for more complex nanostructural systems and biotechnology applications. Other research interests in our group also include developing designer multi-component and multi-functional nanoparticles for applications in personalized medicine. View research website >>