Our research is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive a wide range of biological processes and their relevance to various diseases. Active areas of work in our lab include exploring unintended membrane effects of common prescription drugs, the role of keratins in cell adhesion and proliferation, interspecies communication within microbial ecosystems, and developing yeast models to study human and viral genes. Our lab's approach is inherently multidisciplinary, drawing on expertise from structural biology, computer science, engineering, and biophysics. We employ a combination of cell-based models (bacterial, yeast, and tissue culture) and engineered models (artificial planar lipid bilayers and microfluidics). Leveraging expertise and tools across disciplines enables us to analyze complex biological processes in more comprehensive ways that may lead to a deeper understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms, and foster innovation in our research. Below, are a few examples of what we’re working on. For more detailed information on each specific project, please visit our "Research" page.