We come from all over the world and value a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment shaped by diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

We are a vibrant team of single-molecule biophysicists working at the interface of biophysics, molecular and structural biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, and computational science. We welcome highly motivated postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates interested in understanding biomolecular structure, dynamics, and function.

Current Group Members

Yi-Chih Lin, Ph.D.

Principle Investigator

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (2021-current)

Postdoc, Weill Cornell Medical School, NY (Simon Scheuring, Anesthesiology, Biochemistry&Biophysics, 2017-2021).

Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, PA (Zahra Fakhraai, 2012-2017)

Yi-Chih is a passionate MLB fan who enjoys exploring a variety of fun activities, including skiing, music, city tours, savoring good food, and immersing himself in different cultures. His love for adventure and diverse experiences reflects his dynamic personality and zest for life.

UT Austin Chem Profile

Shuangyu Luo, Ph.D.

Postdoc Fellow

2024.01 - current

Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan

My current research interest is visualizing the dynamics of membrane proteins. My hobby is photography, and I am a big fan of Lightroom.

Nada Elessawy

PhD Student

2021.09 - current

I am a third year PhD student with a research focus on genome editing machinery, particularly CRISPR–cas proteins. My hobbies include watching anime, horror movies, and making iced lattes.

Pangmiaomiao Zhang

PhD Student

2022.11 - current

I am a third year PhD student whose research interest is related to proteins' structural and functional dynamics. During my spare time, I enjoy watching animations and playing interactive fiction.

Nicholas Primanis-Erickson

PhD Student

2024.08 - current

I am a first-year Ph.D. student. My research focuses on applying advanced computational methods to analyze data from biological systems. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing guitar and painting.

Natalie Guinan

Undergraduate (4)

2025.12 - current

I am a senior pursuing a degree in physics and biology, and my research explores how HS-AFM measurements can be used to understand the mechanical properties of biological membranes. Outside the lab, I love to crochet, go on hikes, and spend time with my cats.

Received CNS Advanced Summer Research Fellowship for Summer 2026

Rei Iwahara

Undergraduate (3)

2026.01 - current

I am a second-year biochemistry student, and my research interests include the simulation of protein oligomerization. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing the cello and crocheting small items.

Group Alumni

Postdocs

Prem Kumar Viji Babu, Ph.D. (2022 - 2023). Application Specialist at Bruker JPK BioAFM, Germany

Anh-Dung Nguyen, Ph.D. (2024 - 2025).

Suresh Babu Lavanya, Ph.D. (2024 - 2026). Postdoc at EPFL.

Graduate Student

Jiaxi Zeng (2023 - 2024).

Connor Cowie (2022 - 2026).

Research Assistant

Nicholas Primanis-Erickson (2025 Summer). Continue as a PhD student.

Conrad F. Li (2024 Spring). Currently in the EnMed program at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine, Houston.

Nada Elessawy (2022 Spring-Summer). Continue as a PhD student.

Undergraduate Students

Arnav Patil (2025 - 2026), UT Biochemistry. Currently in the MD program at UTSW Medical School, Dallas.

- Completed summer research (2025).

- Completed Senior research courses (2025-2026).

- Received Biochemistry Honors with a thesis.

Nicholas Primanis-Erickson (2024 - 2025), UT Chemistry. Continued his PhD research in the Lin group.

- Presented at the BPS annual meeting - undergraduate forum(2025).

- Completed Senior research courses (2024-2025).

Luolan Sha (2023 - 2024), UT Biophysics.

- Completed summer research (2023).

Luis S. Cordova (2023), UT Chemistry. Currently in the MD program at UTSW Medical School, Dallas.

- Completed summer research (2023).

Conrad F. Li (2022 - 2024), UT CS, Neuroscience, Chemistry. Currently in the EnMed program at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine, Houston.

- Completed summer research (2023).

- Completed Senior research courses (2023-2024).

- Continued as an RA (2024 Spring).

Berea Suen (2021 - 2023). UT Chemistry. Currently a PhD student at Caltech.

- Completed summer research (2022).

- Received second-year excellence award from UT CNS (2022).

Karthik Iyer (2021 - 2022). UT Chemical Engineering.

- Completed summer research (2022).

Matthew Geib (2022), East Carolina University Biochemistry.

- NSF REU summer student. Completed summer research (2022).

Kaiwen Zhang (2021). UT Chemistry.

- Completed Senior research course (2021).

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