Yap, Pew-Thian
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PHD PROGRAM Bioinformatics & Computational Biology RESEARCH INTEREST Aging/Alzheimer's, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Brain Development, Developmental Disorders, Human Subjects Research, Medical Imaging, Neurobiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders
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Dr. Pew-Thian Yap is a Professor of the Department of Radiology and the Director of the Image Analysis Core of the Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He leads a wide range of research spanning image acquisition, reconstruction, quality control, harmonization, processing, and analysis with applications in neuroscience, disease diagnosis, and surgical planning.
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Young, Sam
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PHD PROGRAM Genetics & Molecular Biology, Pharmacology RESEARCH INTEREST Biophysics, Cell Biology, Gene Therapy, Molecular Medicine, Neurobiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Virology
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My research is focuses on two general areas: 1) Molecular principles of auditory information processing, and 2) Gene Therapy approaches to treat neurological disorders. In regard to our auditory focus, we seek to understand how the molecular machinery in auditory brainstem synapses enables neuronal computations at some of the fastest speeds in the central nervous system to enable the ability to identify and interpret sound information received by the ears. In regard to our gene therapy approaches, we seek to develop novel viral vector technology to create novel therapeutic strategies to treat neuronal dysfunction and degeneration to improve the quality of life of individuals who suffer from neurological diseases. To address these research areas, I employ a multi-disciplinary strategy that encompasses, molecular biology, virology, viral vectors, biophysics, light microscopy, electron microscopy, electrophysiology, and transgenic mouse models.
Keywords: Gene therapy, synaptic transmission, Hearing, viral vectors, biophysics, ion channels, calcium signaling, neurodegeneration, molecular medicine, synaptic plasticity, molecular engineering, nanomedicine
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Jenson, Justin
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PHD PROGRAM Biochemistry & Biophysics RESEARCH INTEREST Biochemistry, Biophysics, Evolutionary Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Virology
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Our lab studies molecular interactions between bacteria and the viruses that infect them, called phage. For billions of years, phage and bacteria have been locked in a ‘molecular arms race’. To survive, bacteria have evolved many immune systems to protect against infection and, in response, phage have counter-adapted to evade these defenses. Our lab is interested in 1) understanding how these systems work biochemically and structurally and 2) discovering new factors involved in this ‘molecular arms race’. We are particularly interested in systems that share homology with human immune factors.
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Mileur, Trevor
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biophysics, Computational Biology, Structural Biology
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“I’m interested in the intersections of structural and computational biology. Initially, I will aim to study the nuances of protein design by learning about proteins from a broader more abstract perspective.
For example a rotation with Dr. Neher, would afford the opportunity to study enzymes, their unique properties and methods for purification and characterization.
Studying with Dr. Burlow, I hope to grapple with the complexity of disordered proteins. Rotating in Dr. Kuhlman’s lab could enlighten me on the computational methods to make sense of complexity in biological molecules.
Lastly, working in Dr. Baker’s lab, I would hope to focus the majority of my effort toward membrane interacting proteins, especially those with clinical relevance such as proteins involved in antigen presentation and signal transduction of immune cells.”
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Metts, McGuire
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biophysics, Computational Biology
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“I am interested in applying computational and biophysical approaches to develop protein-based therapeutics and technologies. I aim to use machine learning models and high-throughput experimental screening to accomplish these goals.”
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Liu, Amy
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Computational Biology
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“I am interested in computational protein design and developing new tools for the task. Whether it’s for developing new therapeutics, breaking down toxins in the environment, or perhaps as detectors that can be used as a research tool, the problems protein design can address is limited only by our imagination.”
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Liebow, Elise
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology
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“I’m interested in protein structure and function, relating to protein-protein interactions. I’m also interested in unstructured regions and intrinsically disordered regions to understand their probable function and how it relates to other PPIs and possible condensate formation. I would love to word either in a purified protein setting or in a cellular setting experimentally.”
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Harrison, Jonathan
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biophysics, Cell Biology, Structural Biology
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“I am interested in understanding the role of membranes throughout the cell, both the plasma membrane and organelle membranes. I find trafficking, endo/exocytosis, and membrane/cytoskeleton interactions particularly intriguing. I hope to explore these questions using both structural biology, such as cryoEM, and cell biology.”
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Faustino, Nikka
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology
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“My research interest focuses on exploring protein structures and their interactions to advance the development of innovative protein therapeutics. How can the integration of computational biology, including but not limited to AI-driven protein modeling software, enhance our understanding of protein interactions and aid in the development of novel therapeutics? By leveraging principles from thermodynamics and protein kinetics, along with cutting-edge technology, I am interested in utilizing such advancement to devise novel therapeutic strategies. I believe that integrating computational biology into our approach will significantly enhance our understanding of protein interactions and aid in the pursuit of groundbreaking therapeutics.”
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Davis, Harris
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PHD PROGRAM
RESEARCH INTEREST Biophysics, Computational Biology, Pharmacology
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“My goal for my PhD is to build mathematical, biophysical models of G-protein and GPCR pharmacology. I want to use molecular dynamics and machine learning to inform ODE and PDE models that are testable experimentally. Hopefully, this will lead to more robust predictions of the effects of G-protein targeting drugs. I’m specifically interested in modeling allostery and biased signaling, especially at and downstream of the human serotonin and opioid receptors.”
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