About me
I am a graduate student interested in proteins, their functionality, and protein involvement in diseases.
I am a protein biochemist and structural biologist.
I am a graduate student at University of California San Diego (UCSD) in the Biomedical Sciences Program (BMS). I started working with proteins when I volunteered as a research assistant during my freshman year of my undergraduate degree, also at UCSD. I was fascinated by all of the things that proteins are capable of and the innovative ways scientists study them. In proteins, structure indicates function, and I became interested in structural biology to determine the features of proteins most important to their function and how this can influence therapeutics.
This blog offers a variety of information to new protein scientists and many others. I will cover more details about my journey as a scientist, how to gain experience in the field, different methods of protein production and study, and the latest news in proteins that I think is really cool! I hope to answer any and all questions, from basic to more advanced, about how proteins perform many different functions and how scientists are still exploring this today.
What I do
A graduate student performs many aspects of research, and my day-to-day involves any combination of reading, writing, and performing experiments.
Biochemistry
I perform laboratory experiments such as protein expression, purification, and assays to assess the activity of proteins.
Structural Biology
I utilize structural biology techniques - cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography - and then computationally determine the structures of proteins.
Reading/Writing
Reading papers and writing protocols and fellowship applications are an important part of graduate school and continuing education.
Working in San Diego, I have the unique opportunity to work with proteins expressed in oceanic species such as sea urchins.
Skills
My Experience
2020 - Today
University of California, San Diego
Graduate Student Researcher
I am responsible for researching and setting up experiments to fulfill a thesis project. I am also leading my lab in the use of cryo-EM and computational techniques.
2019 - 2020
Turning Point Therapeutics
Chemistry Research Assistant
I conducted organic chemistry synthesis under the instruction of chemists. I was responsible for laboratory maintenance and organization for the chemistry team, and frequently assessed and recorded experimental outcomes.
2017 - 2020
University of California, San Diego
Undergraduate Research fellow
Working under the direction of Dr. Michael Burkart and his graduate students, I was part of a team of researchers studying the protein-protein interactions involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis cycle.
2018
University of California, San Diego
Supplemental Instruction Leader
I led students in peer-oriented discussions of chemistry course material in preparation for exams. I participated in team-building and teaching strategies.