20220921

Dr. Erich Hellemann Holguín in the MBSB program successfully passed his oral defense on September 21st. The title of his dissertation project is “Computer-aided drug design: developing and applying simulation-based tools to identify small-molecule ligands that inhibit proteins”. Erich accomplished this research under the supervision of Prof. Jacob D. Durrant in the Department of Biological Science in University of Pittsburgh. His work details how computers aid in the process of discovering new candidate drugs. Erich developed a tool that leverages Weighted Ensemble simulations to enhance protein pocket conformational sampling. Erich will move to New Mexico State University as the Director of the Core Structure Determination Facility in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department.  BTW, Remote defense presentation is more like a reunion. Some of former MBSB students attended Erich’s talk and asked questions.

Congratulations, Erich!

http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/index.php/site-map/articles/85-students/272-erich-hellmann

https://durrantlab.pitt.edu/

By MBSB

20220720

Dr. Wesley Brown in the MD/PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine successfully passed his oral defense on July 20th and completed his Ph.D. degree. The title of his dissertation project is, “Conditional Control of Protein Function in Aquatic Embryos” under the supervision of Prof. Alexander Deiters. His work details the generation of conditional control over the activity of proteins and microRNA knockdown in zebrafish and Xenopus embryos. His talk focused on the development of optical control of a RASopathy disease-associated mutant of NRAS and optical control of microRNA-430 knockdown, both used to study their respective roles in zebrafish heart development. Wes will finish up his medical training over the next two years before applying for residency programs in internal medicine.

Congratulations, Wes!

https://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/index.php/site-map/articles/85-students/279-wesley-brown

http://www.deiterslab.org/

By MBSB

20220711

Dr. Stephen White successfully passed his oral defense on June 13th, and completed his Ph.D. degree. The title of his dissertation project is, “The H. polygyrus TGF-β mimic TGM6: A Competitive Inhibitor of TGF-β Signaling” under supervision of Prof. Andrew Hinck. This work provides one of first known examples of a parasite-expressed protein that mimics the structure of a cytokine to function as an inhibitor of a mammalian signaling pathway. In August, Stephen will be joining the Formulation and Drug Development group at Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals in Bothell, WA.

Congratulations, Stephen!

https://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/index.php/site-map/articles/85-students/259-stephen-white

https://www.hincklab.structbio.pitt.edu/

By MBSB