Members
Wagner Lab
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Carston R. Wagner, PhD
Carston R. Wagner, PhD
Professor and Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry
Professor and Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry
Distinguished University Teaching Professor
Distinguished University Teaching Professor
612-625-2614
(Mobile) 651-587-3657
Carston "Rick" Wagner is a Professor and the Endowed Chair of Medicinal Chemistry and Distinguished University Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota. He received his B. S. degree in chemistry at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1981 where he worked with Professor William Little on the synthesis of cobalamin analogs. He received his graduate education in chemistry under the direction of Professor Ned A. Porter at Duke University where he studied phosphatidyl choline lipid peroxidation. In 1987, he began an NIH post-doctoral fellowship at the Pennsylvania State University with Dr. Stephen J. Benkovic where he investigated the role of active site hydrophobic amino acids on the binding and catalysis of dihydrofolate reductase. In 1991, he joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota where he is currently a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of the Chemical Biology Initiative. He has established a internationally recognize laboratory that seeks to apply the principles of organic chemistry, enzymology analytical chemistry, molecular & cellular biology, biophysics and nanotechnology to protein design, biocatalysis and drug design and delivery. He has served on many NIH and NSF study sections, both as an ad hoc and permanent member. He is a founding Associate Editor and past Executive Editor of the American Chemical Society journal Molecular Pharmaceutic, past Director of Medicinal Chemistry Graduate Studies at the University of Minnesota, a Fellow of the AAAS, a Fellow of the University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Teachers and current CSO of Tychon Biosciences, Inc.
Research Staff
Research Staff
Lakmal Rozumalski, Ph.D
Lakmal Rozumalski, Ph.D
Senior Scientist and Lab Manager
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
Post-doctoral Researchers
Post-doctoral Researchers
Graduate Students
Graduate Students
Soumajit likes experimenting both in the lab and in life, and he does a variety of extra-curricular activities which include soccer, volleyball, guitar, hip-hop dance, and singing (with medals to showcase for each of these)!
Joshua is a Medicinal Chemsitry PhD student.
Abhishek is an international student, born and brought up in the buzzing city of Mumbai, India. In his free time, he is almost always at his second home, the Badminton courts, enjoying the sport he has been playing since 15 years now. He enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, especially hiking and kayaking. He loves cooking, so if you ever want to taste some Indian curries, you know who to contact!
Cailin is a graduate student who earned her Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Penn State. Originally, she wanted to be a veterinarian, but fell in love with organic chemistry and changed her major at the end of her junior year. In her free time, she loves to read, paint, hangout with her 15 year old loud cat and light about 20 candles. She also loves to hike and camp in the national parks and has been on a few cross-country road trips to Colorado and Montana! She’s gotten very into cooking as well!
Kostana is a first year Medicinal Chemistry graduate student. Born and raised in Tirana, Albania, she earned her B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys last minute trips, reading, trying out new cooking recipes and watching her soccer team, A.C. Milan, play.
Bryan was born and raised in San Francisco and got my B.S. in pharmaceutical chemistry from UC Davis. Outside of school, he enjoy playing soccer, going on runs, hiking, trying new coffee shops and restaurants. On indoor days Bryan enjoys binge watching shows, playing video games, and cooking.
Nusha is a Medicinal Chemistry graduate student who joined Wagner lab in 2024. She has a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology and currently works on synthesizing nucleoside-based probes to elucidate HINT1 function. Nusha is co-president of Women in MedChem, a department based group focused on connecting and providing opportunities for women in the department. In her free time, Nusha enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, reading, and spending time with her pet cats.
Debasmita is a Chemistry graduate student.
Freddys is a Medicinal Chemistry graduate student.
Jacob was born and raised in western North Carolina before moving to Minnesota in 2018. In his free time he enjoys reading, playing basketball, and riding his bike. Fun fact: he's met two Nobel Prize winners.
Jigar is a proud first gen international student from Mumbai, India. He has earned MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Creighton University, NE. In 2021, he joined the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and is working on synthesis of novel antiviral prodrugs in Wagner Lab. Outside the lab, he enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling!
Megan is a graduate student who earned her Bachelor's in Forensic Chemistry and Cannabis Chemistry from Lake Superior State University. She lived in Michigan until moving to Minneapolis for graduate school and now enjoys exploring the big city. In her free time, Megan likes to read, bake, or take care of her many succulents. Even though she does not enjoy the cold, Megan has come to love the winter and the activities it brings.
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