Swarts Lab

Chelsey Hamel '14 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 05/2013-05/2014; Degree: BS Biochemistry 2014; Position(s): CHM 491, start up-supported summer research; Thesis title: Development of Antibody-Recruiting Small Molecule (ARM)-Based Strategies for Tuberculosis Immunotherapy: Synthesis and Evaluation of Dinitrophenyl Conjugates for Modifying the Cell Surface of Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Post-CMU: Laboratory technician, Central Michigan University.

Hometown: Drummond Island, MI

Current position: Research Assistant, Michigan State University 

Bailey Urbanek '16 Biomedical Sciences major

Dates in lab: 08/2013-08/2016. Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences 2016; Position(s): HON 499, CMU Summer Scholar, start up-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Trehalose Analogues for Inhibition of Mycobacterial Biofilms; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 5; Awards: CMU President’s Award for Undergraduate Research, CMU Summer Scholar, Best Poster 2015 ACS Midland Fall Scientific Meeting; Post-CMU: MD, Central Michigan University ('20).

Hometown: Midland, MI

Current position: Physician, Grand Rapids, MI

Doug Wing '14 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2013-05/2014. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry 2014; Position(s): CHM 491, start up-supported research; Thesis title: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Trehalose Analogs: Rapid Access to Chemical Probes for Investigating Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Post-CMU: M.S. Chemistry, Central Michigan University ('18) (see graduate profile below).

Hometown: Decatur, IL

Current position: Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Grand Rapids, MI

Hannah Foley '16 Biochemistry and Neuroscience double major

Dates in lab: 09/2013-05/2016. Degree: BS Biochemistry and Neuroscience 2016; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, CMU Summer Scholar, volunteer; Thesis title: Bioorthogonal Chemical Reporters for Selective In Situ Probing of Mycomembrane Components in Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 7; Awards: CMU President’s Award for Undergraduate Research, CMU Summer Scholar, University of Michigan Biophysics REU Program; Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: MS Chemistry, University of Michigan ('19).

Hometown: Bay City, MI

Current position: NeuMoDx Molecular/QIAGEN, Ann Arbor, MI

Max Hogue '16 Biochemistry and Physics double major

Dates in lab: 09/2013-05/2016. Degree: BS Biochemistry and Physics 2016; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, start up-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Chemical Synthesis of Azido Inositols via Ferrier Rearrangement; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 4; Awards: Best Poster Award, 11th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium; Post-CMU: Dental School, University of Detroit-Mercy ('20).

Hometown: Sanilac County, MI

Current position: Dentist, Midland, MI

Cody Wilson '16 Integrative Public Relations major

Dates in lab: 10/2013-01/2014. Degree: BS Integrative Public Relations 2016; Position(s): Start up-supported research, volunteer; Project(s): Chemical synthesis of azido sugars for kinetics experiments; Publication(s): 1; Post-CMU: US Army.

Hometown: Tipton, MI

Current position: Information technology and security field, Washington, DC area

Christian Burns '16 Chemistry major

Dates in lab: 02/2014-08/2015. Degree: BS Chemistry 2016 (CHM 491 advisor Dr. Fahlman); Position(s): McNair Scholar; McNair report title: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Trehalose Analogs as Potential Biofilm Inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Presentation(s): 3; Post-CMU: Graduate Research Assistant, University of Virginia.

Hometown: Jackson, MI

Current position: Medical technology sales

Zac Wagar '15 Biomedical Sciences major

Dates in lab: 03/2014-08/2015. Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences 2015; Position(s): BIO 495, grant-supported summer research; Thesis title: Uptake of Modified Trehalose Analogs through the SugABC-LpqY Transporter in Mycobacterium smegmatis; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 2; Post-CMU: MD, Central Michigan University ('19).

Hometown: Gaylord, MI

Current position: Physician, Greenville, MI

Sarah Rundell '16 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 04/2014-07/2016. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2016; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Fluorine-Modified Trehalose Analogues as Possible PET Probes for Mycobacterial Infection: Rapid Synthesis, Conformational Analysis, and Uptake by Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 5; Presentation(s): 6; Awards: CMU Outstanding Organic Chemist, CMU Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher; Post-CMU: PhD chemistry, Ohio State University ('21).

Hometown: Morrice, MI

Current position: Laboratory Instruction, Ohio State University

Temitope Nathan '16 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 05/2014-08/2015. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2016; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, start up-supported summer research; Thesis title: Synthesis and Characterization of Dinitrophenyl-Modified Trehalose Analogues for Delivering Antibody-Recruiting Small Molecules to Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 1; Awards: CMU Outstanding Organic Chemist; Post-CMU: Graduate Research Assistant, Western Michigan University.

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Brent Piligian '17 Biomedical Sciences major

Dates in lab: 09/2014-05/2017. Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences 2017; Position(s): Grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Project(s): Mycobacterial proteomics; enzymatic synthesis of trehalose analogues; Publication(s): 8; Presentation(s): 5; Awards: CMU President’s Award for Undergraduate Research, Best Poster 2015 ACS Midland Fall Scientific Meeting, Barry Goldwater Scholarship Honorable Mention; Post-CMU: NIH postbaccalaureate scholar, Bethesda, MD.

Hometown: Canton, MI

Adrian Rylski '17 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 01/2015-05/2017. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2017; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Dinitrophenyl-Modified Trehalose Analogues for the Delivery of Antibody-Recruiting Small Molecules (ARMs) to Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 8; Awards: CMU Outstanding Organic Chemist; Post-CMU: Chemist, Dow Chemical.

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Current position: PhD Chemistry, University of Texas-Austin

Claudia Ramsey '17 Biomedical Sciences major

Dates in lab: 08/2015-05/2017. Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences 2017; Position(s): BIO 495, CMU Summer Scholar, volunteer; Thesis title: Toward Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculosis from Patient Sputum Samples: Synthesis and Evaluation of a Fluorogenic Probe for Trehalose Dimycolate Hydrolase in Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 4; Awards: CMU Summer Scholar; Post-CMU: MD, Medical College of Wisconsin ('21).

Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI

Current position: Physician, San Diego, CA

Tina Bednarz '17 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2015-05/2017. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2017; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: De Novo Chemical Synthesis of 3-Azido-3-Deoxy-myo-Inositol via Ferrier Rearrangement; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 4; Awards: Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: PharmD, University of Michigan ('21).

Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI

Current position: Pharmacist, Grand Rapids, MI

Hannah Brinkman '18 Biochemistry and Neuroscience double major

Dates in lab: 04/2014-12/2015. Degree: BS Chemistry 2018 (CHM 491 advisor Dr. Lee); Position(s): Volunteer; Project(s): Mycobacterial proteomics; Post-CMU: PhD Chemistry UC Davis.

Hometown: Holland, MI

Current position: PhD Chemistry, UC Davis

Mara O'Neill '18 Chemistry major

Dates in lab: 01/2015-05/2018. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2018; Position(s): CHM 491, McNair Scholar, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis of Trehalose Analogues and Uptake by Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 7; Post-CMU: Chemist, Eurofins Lancaster.

Hometown: Oil City, MI

Current position: Chemist, Eurofins Lancaster

Jeff Wolber '18 Neuroscience major

Dates in lab: 10/2015-05/2017. Degree: BS Neuroscience 2017; Position(s): CHM 491, community college outreach program, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Project: Inhibition of mycobacterial biofilms; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 4; Post-CMU: MD, University of Michigan.

Hometown: Brownstown, MI

Current position: MD, University of Michigan

Abigail Detzler '18 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2015-05/2018. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2018; Position(s): CHM 491, community college outreach program, McNair Scholar, grant-supported summer research; Thesis title: Synthesis and Characterization of Azido Mannose Analogues as Potential Tools for Defining the Mannoproteome of Mycobacteria; Presentation(s): 3. 

Hometown: Ashley, MI

Alicyn Stothard '20 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 06/2016-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, community college outreach program, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Evaluation of trehalase inhibition by trehalose analogues toward preventing growth of Clostridium difficile and other bacterial pathogens; Publication(s): 7; Presentation(s): 6; Awards: CMU President’s Award for Undergraduate Research, CMU CHM Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher, Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist, 14th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium Best Poster Award, 2018 ACS Midland Section Fall Scientific Meeting Best Poster Award; Post-CMU: Chemist, Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI.

Hometown: Coleman, MI

Current position: Chemist, Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI

Nathan Holmes '18 Biomedical Sciences major

Dates in lab: 08/2016-05/2018. Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences 2018; Position(s): HON 499, CMU Summer Scholar, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis and Evaluation of a Fluorogenic Probe for Detecting Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 3; Awards: CMU Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research, CMU Summer Scholar; Post-CMU: DO, Michigan State University.

Hometown: Howell, MI

Current position: DO, Michigan State University

Jessica Groenevelt '18 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2016-05/2018. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2017; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Concise Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Trehalosamine, an Aminoglycoside Antibiotic and Precursor to Mycobacterial Imaging Probes; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 5; Awards: 13th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium Best Poster Award, 255th ACS National Meeting CARB Division Best Poster Award; Post-CMU: PhD Chemistry, Wayne State University.

Hometown: Muskegon, MI

Current position: PhD Chemistry, Wayne State University

Devin Moore '18 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 01/2017-05/2018. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2018; Position(s): CHM 491, McNair Scholar, volunteer; Thesis title: A Bifunctional Chemical Reporter for Dual Cell-Surface Functionalization of Live Mycobacteria; Presentation(s): 5; Post-CMU: MD, Central Michigan University.

Hometown: Tecumseh, MI

Current position: MD, Central Michigan University

Noah Danielson '18 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 05/2017-05/2018. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2018; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499; Thesis title: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Evaluation of 5-Deoxy-5-Thio-D-Trehalose as a Trehalase-Resistant Trehalose Surrogate; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 3; Post-CMU: MS Chemistry, Purdue University ('20).

Hometown: Midland, MI

Current position: R&D, AstraZeneca

B. Dillon Vannest '19 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2017-05/2019. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2019; Position(s): CHM 491, community college outreach program, grant-supported summer research; Thesis title: FRET-Based Fluorogenic Trehalose Dimycolate Analogue for Probing Mycomembrane-Remodeling Enzymes of Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 3; Awards: Best Poster Award 258th ACS National Meeting CARB Division; Post-CMU: Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Livermore, CA.

Hometown: Gladwin, MI

Current position: Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Livermore, CA

Dan Gepford '20 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2017-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, community college outreach program, McNair Scholar, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis of Far-Red Fluorogenic Trehalose and Trehalose Monomycolate Analogues for the Detection of Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 5; Awards: CMU Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research, CMU Outstanding Organic Chemist; Post-CMU: Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech.

Hometown: Harrison, MI

Nik Kambitsis '20 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 01/2018-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Synthesis of FRET-Based Probes for Studying Mycobacterial Enzymes in Vivo; Presentation(s): 2; Awards: Honorable Mention Poster Award 15th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium; Post-CMU: PhD Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago.

Hometown: Lake in the Hills, IL

Current position: PhD Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago

Cameron Lee '20 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 02/2018-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Advancement Towards the Synthesis of a Fluorescence Quenched Trehalose Mycomembrane Probe; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: MS Cell and Molecular Biology, Grand Valley State University ('23).

Hometown: Kingsley, MI

Current position: Research technician, Van Andel Research Institute

Madison Saunders '21 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 10/2018-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research; Thesis title: Synthesis of Trehalose Monomycolate Derivatives for Enhancing Permeability of Mycobacteria; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: MD, Wayne State University.

Hometown: Liberty Township, OH

Current position: MD, Wayne State University

Isaac Angera '21 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 10/2018-05/2020. Degree: BS Biochemistry 2020; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research; Thesis title: Development of a Trojan Horse Strategy for Tuberculosis Immunotherapy; Presentation(s): 2; Awards: CMU College of Science and Engineering Dean’s Scholar Award for Undergraduate Research, Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: Medicinal Chemistry Internship, Zoetis, Inc.

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, MI

Current position: PhD Chemistry, University of Notre Dame

Nicole Henson '22 Chemistry major

Dates in lab: 08/2021-05/2022. Degree: BS Chemistry; Position(s): CHM 491. Thesis title: Synthesis of 2-iodo-trehalose as a synthetic intermediate for accessing Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibitors; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: Lab specialist, Pfizer.

Hometown: Battle Creek, MI

Current position: Lab specialist, Pfizer

Blake Holdwick '22 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 01/2019-05/2022. Degree: BS Biochemistry; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, CMU Summer Scholar, grant-supported summer research, volunteer; Thesis title: Development of a Novel Class of Sugars for Medical and Biotechnological Applications: Degradation-Resistant Trehalose Analogues; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: Quality Analyst, Honeywell Research Material Division.

Hometown: Bad Axe, MI

Current position: Quality Analyst, Honeywell Research Material Division

Katie Sowell '22 Chemistry major

Dates in lab: 09/2020-05/2022. Degree: BS Chemistry; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer. Thesis title: Extending the Synthetic Capability of the Trehalose-Synthesizing TreT Enzyme: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Halogenated Trehalose Analogues; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: Lab Technician, University of Michigan.

Hometown: Fowlerville, MI

Current position: Lab Technician, University of Michigan

Justin Hassen '22 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 07/2019-05/2022. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry; Position(s): CHM 491, grant-supported summer research, volunteer. Thesis title: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Analogues Using OtsA; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: M.D., Wayne State University.

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, MI

Current position: M.D., Wayne State University

Jessica Tauriainen '23 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 09/2022-05/2023. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry; Position(s): CHM 491, volunteer. Thesis title: Rapid Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Modified Trehalose Derivatives for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Inhibition; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: CNA, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.

Hometown: Fowlerville, MI

Current position: CNA, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital

Daniel Swanson '23 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 09/2020-05/2023. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported summer research, volunteer. Thesis title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Small Trehalose–Fluorophore Conjugates as Potential Probes for Bacterial Trehalose Uptake; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 5; Awards: CMU Provost’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research, Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: M.S. Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University.

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, MI

Current position: M.S. Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University

Ishani Gaidhane '24 Biochemistry and Mathematics double major

Dates in lab: 11/2020-05/2024. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry and Mathematics; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported summer research, CMU Summer Scholar, volunteer. Thesis title: Chemical remodeling of the mycomembrane with chain-truncated glycolipids increases permeability of Mycobacterium smegmatis to rifampicin; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 6; Awards: Barry Goldwater Scholarship; CMU President's Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research; CMU SPAR grant, Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: MD-PhD.

Hometown: Canton, MI

Current position: MD-PhD

Emma Doederlein '24 Biochemistry and Mathematics double major

Dates in lab: 03/2021-05/2024. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry and Mathematics; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported summer research, CMU Summer Scholar, volunteer. Thesis title: Developing A New Method for the Rapid Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Detectable, Catalytically Inactive Mycobacteria-Specific Glycolipid Hydrolase Enzyme; Presentation(s): 3; Awards: CMU SPAR grant, Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Biochemist; Post-CMU: PharmD, University of Michigan.

Hometown: Gaylord, MI

Current position: PharmD, University of Michigan

Emily Maskill '24 Chemistry major, chemical technology concentration

Dates in lab: 09/2022-05/2024. Degree: B.S. Chemistry major, chemical technology concentration; Position(s): CHM 491/HON 499, grant-supported research, volunteer. Thesis title: Synthesis of biotin-trehalose conjugation for amplifiable detection of mycobacteria; Presentation(s): 3; Awards: Midland ACS Section Outstanding Undergraduate Chemist; Post-CMU: PhD Chemistry, University of Notre Dame.

Hometown: South Bend, IN

Current position: PhD Chemistry, University of Notre Dame

Evan Siemienkiewicz '24 Biochemistry major

Dates in lab: 11/2022-05/2024. Degree: B.S. Biochemistry; Position(s): CHM 491. Thesis title: Screening Trehalose Synthase Variants for Substrate Tolerance with Trehalose Analogs for the Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: MS Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Hometown: Saginaw, MI

Current position: MS Molecular and Cellular Biology

Jessica Stewart (Chemistry M.S. 2015)

Dates in lab: 05/2013-08/2015. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2015; Thesis title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Bioorthogonal Probes for Studying the Mycomembrane in Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 5; Presentation(s): 3; Post-CMU: Ph.D. Chemistry, Wayne State University ('20).

Hometown: Ithaca, MI

Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Lisa Meints (Chemistry M.S. 2016)

Dates in lab: 01/2015-08/2016. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2016; Thesis title: Rapid One-Step Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and All-Aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues; Publication(s): 4; Presentation(s): 3; Post-CMU: Ph.D. Biomolecular Sciences, Michigan State University ('21).

Hometown: Portage, MI

Current position: Abbott Nutrition, Sturgis, MI

Taylor Fiolek (Chemistry M.S. 2017)

Dates in lab: 12/2015-08/2017. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2018; Thesis title: An Expanded Set of Trehalose Monomycolate-Based Chemical Reporters for Probing Mycoloylation in Live Mycobacteria; Publication(s): 4; Presentation(s): 4. Post-CMU: Ph.D. Chemistry, Michigan State University ('23).

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, MI

Current position: Drug Discovery Core at Michigan State University

Doug Wing (Chemistry M.S. 2018)

Dates in lab: 12/2016-08/2018. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2018; Thesis title: Progress Toward the Synthesis of a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Arabinogalactan Mycolate (AGM) Probe for the Investigation of Mycomembrane Metabolism in Mycobacterium; Presentation(s): 2. Post-CMU: Process Chemist, Eurofins Lancaster, Groton, CT.

Hometown: Decatur, IL

Current position: Scientist, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Grand Rapids, MI

Qing Qing Dong (Chemistry M.S. 2019)

Dates in lab: 08/2017-08/2019. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2019; Thesis title: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Analogues; Publication(s): 1; Presentation(s): 1; Post-CMU: Henlius Biotech, Shanghai, China.

Current position: Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Houston

Alex Ausmus (Chemistry M.S. 2019)

Dates in lab: 09/2017-05/2019. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2019; Thesis title: Ferrier Carbocyclization-Enabled Synthesis of Azide-Modified Myo-Inositol Analogues for the Study of Mycobacterial Glycolipids; Publication(s): 2; Presentation(s): 3; Post-CMU: Ph.D. chemistry, Pittsburgh University.

Hometown: Kaleva, MI

Current position: Content Developer, Sui Foundation

Kwaku Obeng (Chemistry M.S. 2021)

Dates in lab: 10/2019-08/2021. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2021; Thesis title: Chemical Synthesis of Azido and Amino Inositol Analogues as Potential Inhibitors of Mycobacterium; Publication(s): 1; Post-CMU: Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Maryland.

Hometown: Apam-Central Region, Ghana

Current position: Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Maryland

Nicholas Banahene (Chemistry M.S. 2018; BCMB Ph.D. 2023)

Dates in lab: 12/2016-06/2023. Degrees: M.S. Chemistry 2018, Ph.D. BCMB 2023; M.S. thesis title: Chemical Biology Strategies for Labeling and Identifying O-Mycoloylated Proteins; Ph.D. dissertation title: Mycomembrane Labeling Probes for Imaging Mycobacteria and Characterizing Protein O-Mycoloylation; Publication(s): 8; Presentation(s): 16; Awards: Best Poster Award, 2nd Annual North American Mass Spectrometry Summer School; Best Poster Award, 2020 Midland Section ACS Fall Scientific Meeting; Travel Award, 2019 NOBCChE Conference; Travel Award, 258th ACS National Meeting; Merck 6-Month Pre-Doctoral Internship, 2022. Post-CMU: Advisor--Peptide & Bioorganic Chemistry, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN.

Hometown: Twifu Praso, Ghana

Current position: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN

Zigli Abdulai (Chemistry M.S. 2023)

Dates in lab: 01/2021-06/2023. Degree: M.S. Chemistry 2023; M.S. thesis title: Synthesis of Arabinogalactan Mycolate Analogues for Investigating Cell Envelope Metabolism in Mycobacteria; Presentation(s): 2; Post-CMU: Ph.D. Chemistry, Purdue University.

Hometown: Mafi-Dove, Ghana

Current position: Ph.D. Chemistry, Purdue University

Herbert Kavunja, Ph.D. (Postdoc)

Dates in lab: 05/2015-07/2018. Postdoctoral scholar. Project: Chemical probes for studying mycomembrane glycolipids and proteins. Publication(s): 7; Presentation(s): 2; Awards: Best Oral Presentation, 12th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium.

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Current position: Chief Scientific Officer, IASO Therapeutics, Inc., East Lansing, MI

Anne Poston (Technician)

Dates in lab: 2015-2020. Lab management; student training; protein expression and purification; chemoenzymatic synthesis; BSL-3 operations. Publication(s): 5. Post-CMU: MS Counseling and Human Services, Central Michigan University ('20).