Scientific Research
For published works and patents, check out my Google Scholar profile.
Future Plans
In my independent career, I plan to apply high-sensitivity mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomics to problems in brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Postdoctoral Work: Gygi Lab, Harvard Cell Biology
2021–Present
In the Gygi Lab, I work on developing new methods for targeting and quantifying hundreds of protein modification sites at a time, such as proteolytic cleavage sites, phosphorylation sites, or reactive cysteines.
Image above from:
Yu, Q.; Liu, X.; Keller, M. P.; Navarrete-Perea, J.; Zhang, T.; Fu, S.; Vaites, L. P.; Shuken, S. R.; et al. “Sample multiplexing-based targeted pathway proteomics with real-time analytics reveals the impact of genetic variation on protein expression.” Nature Comm. 2023, 14, 555.
The Importance of P-Value Correction
With the guidance and support of Prof. Windy McNerney (Stanford U./Veterans Affairs), I performed thousands of simulations of quantitative omic experiments and applied popular p-value correction techniques to assess the sensitivity costs and false discovery rate (FDR) benefits of p-value correction. I also built a web app to easily explore and visualize these effects.
A depiction of protein grouping, an essential step in a typical mass spec proteomics experiment.
An Introduction to Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics
This guide has been helpful for those who are curious about mass spec and who want to familiarize themselves with the field and understand the concepts.
Ph.D. Work: Wyss-Coray Lab, Stanford Neurology
2017–2021
In the Wyss-Coray lab, I used modern mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques to study brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
A water-soluble derivative of a hydrazine sensor allows us to measure the speeds at which hydrazine crosses different lipid membranes.
M.S. Work: Burns Lab, Stanford Chemistry
2014–2017
In the Burns lab, I worked on biophysical studies and chemical synthesis of unusual lipids.
B.S. Work:
Sarpong Lab, Berkeley;
Reisman Lab, Caltech
2012–2013
In the Sarpong lab, I developed an enantioselective formal synthesis that allows access to both enantiomers of complanadine A, a natural product belonging to a family of molecules that helps neurons grow in vitro.
In the Resiman lab, I helped optimize enantioselective reductive cross-coupling reactions by synthesizing bis-oxazoline ligands with varying bite angles.