Professional Experience

Associate Professor of Chemistry (2018-present)

Assistant Professor of Chemistry (2012-2018)

Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges

Discovery and characterization of novel enzyme activities through biochemical analysis.

NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow (2009-2012)

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University

Advisor: David R. Liu

(i) Identification and characterization of small molecule-RNA conjugates in biological systems using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.  

(ii) Development and application of continuous evolution as a model system of protein evolution.

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute (2004-2009)

Advisor: Floyd E. Romesberg

(i) Expansion of the genetic alphabet through development of a third, orthogonal DNA base pair using synthetic chemistry, screening, enzymology, and directed evolution of DNA polymerases.  

(ii) Engineering of DNA polymerases for high-throughput sequencing through directed evolution.

B.A., Chemistry, Carleton College (2000-2004)

Advisor: David G. Alberg

Design and synthesis of trypanothione analogues for inhibition of Trypanothione Reductase, a key enzyme for parasites of the genera Trypanosoma.

Teaching Experience

Keck Science Department; Professor

• CHEM14L: Basic Principles of Chemistry (Lab only: Fall 2012, 2013)

• CHEM29: Accelerated General Chemistry (Lecture only: Fall 2014, Spring 2024)

• CHEM40L: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Fall 2015, 2016, 2017)

• CHEM042L: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (Lab only: Spring 2024)

• CHEM117L: Organic Chemistry II (Lab only: Spring 2023)

• CHEM125L: Advanced Laboratory in Biochemistry (Spring 2020, 2021, 2022, Fall 2023)

• CHEM127L: Advanced Laboratory II (Spring 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)

• BIO177/CHEM177: Biochemistry (Fall 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021; Spring 2015, 2018, 2023)

• CHEM180: Applied Biomolecular Evolution (Spring 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023)

Awards and Funding

• 2023   Cottrell Postbaccalaureate Fellowhsip (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)

• 2019   R15 Award (National Institutes of Health)

• 2018    CAREER Award (National Science Foundation)

• 2016    Cottrell Scholar Award (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)

• 2014    Cottrell College Science Award (The Research Corporation for Science Advancement)

• 2013    ResearchRewards grant (TriLink Biotechnologies)

• 2010    Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award  (NIH)

• 2008    ACS Division of Biological Chemistry Travel Award (ACS)

• 2007    ARCS Foundation Fellowship (ARCS)

• 2006    Best Poster, Graduate Retreat, Chemistry (TSRI)

• 2006    Lesly Starr Shelton Award for Excellence in Chemistry Graduate Studies (TSRI)

• 2004    Franz Exner Award for Excellence in Chemistry (Carleton College)

• 2001    Dow Chemical Company Foundation Scholarship (Carleton College)