People

Michelle E. McCully, PhD

Associate Professor, Biology

IRACDA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California San Francisco

PhD, Biomolecular Structure & Design, University of Washington

BS, Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis

Isa Camacho

Physics 2026 | Minors: Mathematics, Computer Science & Engineering

My research focuses on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations analysis. From looking at MD simulations data of chimeras, I will numerically asses whether the proteins are thermostable and if they stay bound to DNA.

Cara Giordano

Biology 2025 | MS Bioengineering 2026

My research focuses on evaluating the optimal relationship between thermostability and functionality of proteins engineered using machine learning. I will express and purify them, followed by evaluating their thermostability and activity via EMSA, CD and assays developed specific to the proteins.

Charlotte Holding

Biology 2026 |  Minor:  Biotechnology

My research centers on the characterization of BsCel5A, a cellulase enzyme of interest for future thermostability studies. I work on assessing protein purity, optimizing activity assay conditions, and generating preliminary kinetic data that will support later studies of enzyme function and stability.

Neel Mukkavilli

Bioengineering 2026

My research focuses on understanding how designed proteins are able to achieve thermostability. I will be looking at molecular dynamics simulations of chimeras and designed proteins of EnHD and UVF which are modeled in AlphaFold2. 

Hailey Newell

Biology & Neuroscience 2028

My research focuses on engineered proteins, specifically EdUn, that combines DNA-binding function and thermostability. I will express and purify the protein, use electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to measure DNA-binding affinity and circular dichroism (CD) to assess protein stability.

Liam Pruitt

Biochemistry 2026 | Minor:  Biotechnology

My research focuses on analyzing protein dynamic and thermodynamic trends to determine commonalities between specific protein features that promote thermostability in EnHD and UVF proteins, as well as designed 3HBs.   This will be done by running molecular dynamics simulations of our synthesized chimeras in a heated environment to identify and assess thermostabilization strategies.

Emily Serrato

Neuroscience 2027 | Minor:  Religious Studies

My research focuses on designing and experimentally testing thermostable variants of cellulase enzymes to improve their stability and function at high temperatures. This will be done via experimental techniques such as protein expression, purification, and enzymatic assays.

Kaylee Tani

Biology 2026

My research focuses on the relationship between protein dynamics, function, and thermostability in engineered proteins. I will express and purify EnHD, UVF, and their chimeras before conducting further analysis with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs).