Where are you from and what do you enjoy most about your hometown?
I am from Omaha, Nebraska. My family is the most important thing in my life and my favorite thing about Omaha is that my family and friends live there. Additionally, Omaha is a reasonable distance to Colorado and I love mountain activities like hiking and skiing.
What is your research focused on?
My research is focused on discovering conformation-selective nanobodies targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). Using nanobody libraries presented on the surface of yeast cells, I have discovered several nanobodies that bind EGFR. I am currently working to characterize them!
What is your favorite part of your research?
Biochemistry and biophysics are exciting to me because I like taking a very zoomed-in look at protein function and protein-protein interactions. My previous research experience was in microbial genetics so it has been quite the adventure to take a deep-dive into protein work during my PhD.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
I have a wife and two young daughters, a 2-year old named Ada and a 6-month old named Maggie. I spend most of my free time going on adventures with them. They both love going to the park, taking the train into the North End and the Boston harbor, and going to the Children’s Museum.
Tell us about an activity outside of lab you’re involved in and why it’s important to you
In addition to my academic work, I enjoy mentoring. I have mentored for the Harvard Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) and taught Python to middle-school students through the 501(c)(3) organization, codeConnects . I am also co-director of the Therapeutics Graduate Program’s Student Steering Committee.
