Training Group:

Biomolecular Structure and Biophysics

Mentor / Lab:

John Tesmer

Specific Research Area / Project:

My research currently focuses on determining the mechanism of adenylyl cyclase (AC) type V inhibition by G protein inhibitory alpha subunit through the structural analysis of their complex by Cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography. ACs are a group of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of ATP into cAMP that is one of the most important secondary messengers in the cell. To date, there are a few structures of full length AC, and none of them is currently displayed in complex with Gai. Our work will give insights to the mechanism of adenylyl cyclase inhibition, which can help develop new inhibitors to treat diseases that AC V is involved in including heart diseases and dyskinesia.

Research Profile:

Getting into graduate school is a new experience that I was excited about. Getting into graduate school at Purdue was even more special. But over other programs, I have chosen PULSe because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and do new stuff. PULSe is an interdisciplinary program that allows you to rotate and work with labs from almost every science. Our faculty members are all around the campus. In PULSe, I was able to switch my interest from one science to another and join the lab that I perfectly fit in. It is truly an interdisciplinary life sciences program that lets you easily try multiple sciences, and pick out the one that you love.

About Me:

In my free time, I love watching soccer, or football as we call it from where I come from. Also, I enjoy watching professional wrestling. It is also one of my favorite things to walk in the sunny weather. But above all, I love spending time with my family and watching my son grow up everyday.