Michael Kio

Ph.D. Cranfield University, United Kingdom (2015)
Aerospace Research (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Research Topics

Dr Kio’s current research focuses on developing enhanced fouling release coating formulation. His research interests also include surface wettability and nanoparticle interaction with lipid bilayers for studies of drug delivery implementing molecular dynamics.

Min-Kang Hsieh

Ph.D. Columbia University (2018)
Chemical Engineering M.S. National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (Chemical Engineering, 2008)

Research Topics

Min-Kang's research focuses on two areas of interest. He is doing research on some COVID-19 associated proteins that form oligomers that are important for the virus infection and he is probing the mechanism and structure in collaboration with Dr. Berger's lab at UVA. Min-Kang is also doing work on lipid membrane asymmetry with a focus on the inner membrane of Gram Negative bacteria.

Sharmistha Karmakar

Ph.D. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, Inida (2019)
Computational Chemistry (Organic/Surface Reactions: Theoretical)
M.S. IIT Kanpur, India (Chemistry, 2012)

Research Topics

Sharmistha's research focuses on studies of Osh4 binding to anionic membrane models to probe the formation of membrane contact sites and how lipid composition influences protein binding.

Tejaswi Tammareddy

Ph.D. Student at University of Maryland-College Park (2019-)
M.S. Student at University of Maryland-College Park (2016-2019)
B.S. Andhra University, India

Research Topics

Tejaswi is interested in using simulations to probe biotech applications. Her current research is on CDK5 with its importance to neurological diseases. She is working with Dr. Cardone (NIST) on investigating inhibotors of the toxic p25 cleaved product of CDK5.

Robert Allsopp

Ph.D. Student at University of Maryland-College Park (2019-)
B.S. University of Maryland-College Park (Chemical Enginereing)

Research Topics

Rob is currently studying membrane active peptides from the Osh4 protein that are involved in how this protein binds to yeast cell organelles. He is aiming to discover new binding motifs of this protein to further our understanding of intracellular lipid transport via membrane contact sites. He is also working on continuing Tyler Cline's work on an antimicrobial peptide in collaboration with Dr. S-T. Nagle at CMU.

Jiyeon Min

Ph.D. Student at University of Maryland-College Park (Biophysics; 2019-)
B.Eng. Kwangwoon University, Seoul, South Korea (Electronics & Communication Engineering, 2017)

Research Topics

Jiyeon is working as a co-advised student in Dr. Brooks' Lab at NIH. She is currently a biophysics student in my lab focused on measuring the free energy of binding of inositol molecules to model Arg peptides. Our goal is to compare with ITC experiments and adjust the force field if necessary.

Jessica Bodosa

Ph.D. student at University of Maryland, College Park (Biophysics, 2020-)
B.S./M.S. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Biology, 2015-2020)

Research Topics

Jessica has been a Biophysics rotation student in the lab focusing on the dimerization of the EmrE protein. She will also be starting research on metal ion binding to cell membranes.

Joshua Lucker

M.S./Ph.D. student at University of Maryland, College Park (Biophysics, 2020-)
UM-Baltimore County (B.S. Chemistry, B.A. Math and minor in Music, 2014-2018)

Research Topics

Joshua is working on extending the CHARMM36UAr model to sphingolipids and testing this force field with bilayer mixtures containing cholesterol.

Anthony Pane

Ph.D. student at University of Maryland, College Park (Biophysics, 2021-)
B.S./B.A. University of Rochester (Computational Biology/History, 2015-2019)

Research Topics

Anthony is co-Advised by Dr. Richard Pastor (NIH/NHLBI) and is working on optimizatation of the phosphoserine lipid force field as his first project.

Leonard Unger

Mathematics and Music Performance (UMD)
Mathematics at Brown U.
Class of 2022

Research Topics

Leonard is studying the plasma membrane of the Lyme Bacteria. His initial focus is modeling the unique glycolipids in this bacteria and then will focus on accurate membrane models.

Yiding Yuan

Bioengineering
Class of 2022

Research Topics

Yiding is studying cellular membranes with a focus on neurological membrane modeling.

Edward (Yueqi) Niu

B.S. Biology
May 2022

Research Topics

Yiding is studying cellular membranes with a focus on macrophage membrane models.

Erin Jackson

Bioengineering
Class of 2022

Research Topics

Erin is studying how antibiotics bind to cellular membrane .

Pavan Bhat

Bioengineering
Class of 2023

Research Topics

Pavan is starting his research in the lab looking at polyunsaturated lipids and cholesterol placement and organization in these membranes.

Dai-Bao Van

Chemistry
Class of 2021

Research Topics

Dai-Bao is working on modeling archeal membranes with ether-branched lipids.

Sasha Coates-Park

Biochemistry
(May 2022)

Research Topics

Sasha is researching a plant hormone interacting with model plant membranes.

Sriya Pothapragada

Bioengineering
Class of 2023

Research Topics

Sriya is working on modeling stereocilia membranes that is of the cilia of the inner ear.

Dylan Mendes

Chemistry
Class of 2023

Research Topics

Dylan is working on how antimicrobial peptides bind to model membranes of the stratum corneum (outer layer of the skin).

Jai Dadarwala

Bioengineering
(May 2022)

Research Topics

Jai is investigating the influence of lipid composition asymmetry on transmembrane proteins.

Joseph Kutza

Materials Science and Engineering
Class of 2023

Research Topics

Joseph is investigating TLR receptors and sugar binding.

Shyam Patel

Neuroscience and Computer Science
Class of 2024

Research Topics

Shyam is investigating TLR receptors and sugar binding..

Taran Mahta

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Class of 2023

Research Topics

Taran is simulating the sugar enzyme Smlt1473 with it recently determined crystal structure at varied pH.

Akhil Jayan

Biology
Class of 2025

Research Topics

Taran is starting his training and then will work on modeling neurological membranes.

Shane Saunders

Chemistry
Class of 2024

Research Topics

Shane is finishing up his training and then will work on modeling primordial membrane models.

Zach Teselko

Bioengineering
Class of 2024

Research Topics

Zach is researching models for membranes that are targetted by accessory proteins of SARS-CoV-2.

Vincent Zhao

Computer Science
Class of 2025

Research Topics

Vincent is finishing up his training and will be starting a research project soon.

Laena Nho

Bioengineering
Class of 2025

Research Topics

Laena is finishing up her training and will be starting a research project soon.

Mehul Goyal

Montomergy Blair High School (Math/Science/CS Magnet Program)

Research Topics

Mehul is learning how to run to run simulations of simple membrane models. He will then be working on studying the action of antimicrobial peptides produced by frogs.