Biophysics · Champaign, IL
About
Greetings! I am a Biophysics and Quantitative Biology Doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, working under Dr. Kai Zhang and Dr. Taras Pogorelov.
My research focuses on cell signaling and protein/membrane dynamics, with an emphasis on phosphoinositides — a class of signaling lipids critical for membrane-protein interactions. These interactions drive key cellular processes, including proliferation, maturation, and development.
I work with two key protein systems: Arc (activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein), a peripheral protein that forms viral-like capsids to encapsulate mRNA in neurons, and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as FGFR3 and TrkA, which are central regulators of the same cellular functions governed by phosphoinositide signaling.
As a Biophysics doctoral researcher co-advised across computational and experimental laboratories, my goal is to bridge theory and experiment by using computational modeling to generate hypotheses and experimental techniques to validate them (and vise versa)! This dual approach allows me to investigate biological phenomena with a rigor and perspective that neither discipline offers alone.
In addition to my academic work, I enjoy designing and creating graphics for scientific publications, and film photography as a side hobby. You can find my various efforts linked below. Enjoy!
- 2023 – Now
Ph.D., Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2018 - 2023
B.S., Physics with a dual-minor in Mathematics/Cinema and Television Arts
California State University, Fullerton
- Feb 2026
Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA): Theory & Computation
70th BPS Meeting · San Francisco, CA
- May 2025
Travel Award
Gordon Research Conference & Seminar: Mechanisms of Membrane Transport · Les Diablerets, Switzerland
- Apr 2022
Black Family Trust Fellowship
Dan Black · Fullerton, CA
- May 2022
Norman McFarland Scholarship
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange · Orange, CA
Biology is full of surprises... so is the toolkit we use to study it. Here are some of the project areas that have kept me busy (or just kept me curious).
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Protein Trafficking
Cellular protein recruitment
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Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Signaling across the membrane
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Protein-Protein Dimerization
Oligomerization Dynamics
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Phospholipid Binding Kinetics
Protein affinities at membrane interfaces
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Optogenetic Cell Death
Light-controlled Necroptosis
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Free energy barriers
Markov State Modeling, Data Decomposition, Transition Pathways
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Interaction Free Energies
Changes in Gibbs, Helmholtz, or Entropy that govern cellular processes
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Minimal In-Cell Modeling
Atomstic Cytoplasm Remodeling
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Small-Molecule Drug Kinetics
Effects of solvation and vdW dynamics
Talks
- 2026
“Modeling-Informed Experiments Capture Arc-Lipid Interactions Critical to Intercellular Communication”
70th Biophysical Society Meeting · San Francisco, CA
- 2025
“Elucidating the mechanisms underlying phospholipid-mediated capsid formation and binding between Arc and PI(3)P”
MDAnalysis User Group Meeting · Phoenix/Tempe, AZ
- 2025
“Elucidating the mechanisms underlying phospholipid-mediated capsid formation and binding between Arc and PI(3)P”
39th Gibbs Conference on Biothermodynamics · Carbondale, IL
Posters
- 2026
“Modeling-Informed Experiments Capture Arc-Lipid Interactions Critical to Intercellular Communication”
70th Biophysical Society Meeting (BPS) · San Francisco, CA
- 2025
“Elucidating the mechanisms underlying phospholipid-mediated capsid formation and binding between Arc and PI(3)P”
Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire (CECAM) · Madison, WI
- 2025
“Elucidating the mechanisms underlying phospholipid-mediated capsid formation and binding between Arc and PI(3)P”
Gordon Research Conference (GRC/GRS): Mechanisms of Membrane Transport · Les Diablerets, Switzerland
- 2025
“Elucidating the mechanisms underlying phospholipid-mediated capsid formation and binding between Arc and PI(3)P”
69th Biophysical Society Meeting (BPS) · Los Angeles, CA
- 2023
“Diffusion of DNA in active and passive baths”
American Physical Society March Meeting · Las Vegas, NV
- 2022
“Designing a nanoscale rocket ship using DNA origami and enzymes”
Frontiers in Soft Matter and Macromolecular Networks · University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
- 2022
“Designing a nanoscale rocket ship using DNA origami and enzymes”
Scifest · Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Computational Biophysics
- Molecular Dynamics
- NAMD, GROMACS, AMBER, OpenMM, MARTINI
- Docking
- HADDOCK & AutoDock
- Scientific / ML Analysis
- MDAnalysis, MDTraj, VMD, PyTorch, TensorFlow
- Protein Prediction & Bioinformatics
- DESeq2, edgeR, AlphaFold2/3, ESMFold, OpenFold
- Visualization
- Blender, PyMOL, VMD, ChimeraX, Fiji (ImageJ)
- Enhanced Sampling
- Plumed & WESTPA2
Computer Administration
Linux server management/administration (Ubuntu/Arch), SLURM Configuration/Setup, Docker Management, HPC cluster management (DGX Ampere/Grace Hopper)
Programming Languages
Relevant Coursework
Graduate Machine Learning for Bioinformatics (CS 582), Graduate Statistical Thermodynamics (CHEM 544), Graduate Scientific Writing (MCB 540), Physical Biochemistry (MCB 446)
Experimental Techniques
- Microscopy
- TIRF, epifluorescence, live cell imaging, confocal, MINFLUX super resolution, Electron Microscopy (TEM)
- Molecular Biology
- PCR, qRT-PCR, molecular cloning, western blot, SDS/Agarose gels, RNA purification, RNA-seq prep, transfection, transduction
- Cell Biology
- Cell culture, primary neuron culture, lentiviral culture, AAV, cell death assays
- Protein Biochemistry
- Protein purification, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), nanodiscs, extracellular vesicle prep, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI)
Want to work together?
Collaborations, figures, or just a question about the work.