Associate Professor & Department Chair
Contact Information
329 Shineman
315.312.2671
[email protected]
Research
The major focus of our lab is the study of protein interactions involved in the activation and regulation of the complement system. The complement system is an important part of innate immunity, and misregulation can lead to inflammatory diseases. We specifically focus on complement component 3 (C3) and its interactions with other complement proteins as well as with thrombomodulin, a protein which is best known for its regulatory role in blood clotting. We use a variety of methods including hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDXMS) and fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate interactions between the proteins of interest. In another project, we are using a combination of computational and wet lab techniques to determine enzyme function. The target enzymes have structures available in the protein databank, but their function is unknown. This work is being used to create a research-style curriculum for the undergraduate biochemistry teaching lab.
Education
PhD – University of California, San Diego (2001-2006) Postdoc – Oxford University, Department of Biochemistry (2006-2008) Postdoc – Oxford University, Department of Chemistry (2008-2010)