A selection of research, design, and personal projects I've been a part of.
Optogenetics--using light to regulate genes--is a promising new toolset for synthetic biology. With the Dunlop Lab, I developed and optimized novel optogenetic recombinases for bacterial use. See our publication or preprint for the details!
Synthetic Biology, OptogeneticsUsing an optogenetic recombinase, we developed genetic constructs where antibiotic resistance levels in bacteria can be controlled using light. We use light-induced resistance to target cells in microscopy applications and to improve fatty acid production in E. coli. See our publication for the details!
Synthetic Biology, Optogenetics, Antibiotic ResistanceEngineering biology is a rapidly growing field, and needs to be introduced to students early and in an accessible way. Working with the Engineering Biology Research Consortium's Education & Engagment Group, we created an adaptable curriculum module that can be used by anyone to teach the basic principles and applications of engineering biology. These slides will give students a basic understanding of the tools, technologies, and opportunities in engineering/synthetic biology. You can learn more about their use on their webpage or our related publication. Let us know if you find them useful or have suggestions for future material!
Synthetic Biology, Educational OutreachThe BioBuilder program focuses on bringing modern research into high school classrooms. Specifically, we help high school teams work on synthetic biology projects using the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle. I mentor teams and help run monthly BioBuilderClub team calls, give feedback to students for the online Idea Accelerator program, and teach workshops at their Learning Lab at Ginkgo Bioworks.
Education OutreachCharacterized anoxygenic photosynthetic communities by genetic diversity and metabolic processes(especially cellulose degradation & nitrogen fixation). Analyzed microbial community reactions to environmental and composition perturbations. Studied collective motion of diverse bacterial systems and potential applications (i.e. turning gears). Used various cell culture, molecular biology, genomic analysis, anaerobic microbiology, and photolithography techniques.
Environmental & Physical MicrobiologyUsed the microbe Tetrahymena thermophilia to produce high-volume, high-purity synthetic human ion channels for pharmaceutical research. Personally, I've purified five ion channels in milligram quantities from whole cells by affinity chromatography (anti-FLAG, IMAC) for industry partners and internal use for antibody development and screening, as well as assessed protein concentration via BCA and OD280 and prepared proteins into liposomes.
Ion Channel ProductionCo-developed polymeric nanoparticles for delivery of proprietary drug conjugates to in vivo xenograft models to develop treatment for cancer. Designed, optimized, and executed feasibility studies of nanoparticles from lab- to pilot-scale. Responsible for compiling source references for company’s first IND application. Used high-pressure homogenization processes, tangential flow filtration (TFF), particle sizing methods, and basic HPLC.
Nanoparticle Formulation DevelopmentDifferentiated a “keratinocyte” containing skin-like tissue from bone marrow stems cells on a team of three.
Keratinocyte DifferentiationDesigned and ran campus-wide social experiments with a d/Deaf member of the Olin community to improve disability awareness & accommodation on campus.
Interviewed and co-designed with domestic abuse support network voluneers, and prototyped a personal private pop-up space on a team of six.
Worked on a team of five to design and create a “magical” chess board that moves pieces via voice command, enforces the rules of chess, and gives verbal feedback to players. We used the Google Speech Recognition API to interpret voice commands, the built-in text-to-speech software in Ubuntu to give verbal feedback, our own chess engine written in Python, an Arduino Uno in tandem with motor shields to power two motors, and a two-axis gantry to carry an electromagnet under the board, which in turn moves 3D-printed pieces of our own design with magnets embedded in the bases.
Used COMSOL to model of the effect of multi-cell originated autologous chemotaxis on metastasis of cancer cells from tumor to lymph.
Analyzed the effect of donor and recipient motivations, limitations, & behaviors on foreign aid efficacy and efficacy metrics in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Extensively reviewed recent scientific and technological advancements in vaccine refrigeration.
Explored and compared uses of mathematical models of single-neuron action potentials.
Selected as a Cast Member in Attractions at Spaceship Earth in Epcot, Walt Disney World. Provided exceptional service to hundreds of guests per day in a variety of roles requiring immediate decision making and extensive knowledge of the ride and theme park.