I am a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Whitney Yin’s laboratory in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My current work is focused on mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription fidelity in regard to human health. Specifically, I use cryogenic electron microscopy as a main tool coupled with biochemical approaches to discover the molecular basis of antiviral toxicity in mitochondrial DNA and RNA polymerases, which are often off target to antivirals.
My passion for research kindled while I was shadowing a physician. During my shadowing experience, I learned first-hand that effective therapeutics are still not available for many illnesses, and their effectiveness vary greatly from person to person despite active research being carried out in the field. These realities hit me and diverted my attention to the importance of discovering detailed mechanisms behind pathogenesis of diseases for developing new and effective cures.
My doctoral work focused on establishing the foundation for antivirals studies. Since it was not clear how replicative DNA polymerases detect and excise incorporation errors, I first characterized this mechanism in DNA polymerase g, only replicative DNA polymerase in human mitochondria. Additionally, we further probed to find key residues that participate in detecting errors in DNA. Continuing on from this foundational work, now the study focuses on interaction between the antiviral drugs and DNA polymerase g. By testing and studying antivirals with various modifications, we can assign degree of toxicity to each modification on different antivirals, which can help facilitate current and future antiviral design to minimize side effects in patients.
Ultimately, I would like to be an established, independent researcher and discover broad-spectrum antivirals that can be effectively used in medical settings.
Outside of the laboratory, my wife and I devote all our time to our new baby boy, whom we welcomed in March.
My passion for research kindled while I was shadowing a physician. During my shadowing experience, I learned first-hand that effective therapeutics are still not available for many illnesses, and their effectiveness vary greatly from person to person despite active research being carried out in the field. These realities hit me and diverted my attention to the importance of discovering detailed mechanisms behind pathogenesis of diseases for developing new and effective cures.
My doctoral work focused on establishing the foundation for antivirals studies. Since it was not clear how replicative DNA polymerases detect and excise incorporation errors, I first characterized this mechanism in DNA polymerase g, only replicative DNA polymerase in human mitochondria. Additionally, we further probed to find key residues that participate in detecting errors in DNA. Continuing on from this foundational work, now the study focuses on interaction between the antiviral drugs and DNA polymerase g. By testing and studying antivirals with various modifications, we can assign degree of toxicity to each modification on different antivirals, which can help facilitate current and future antiviral design to minimize side effects in patients.
Ultimately, I would like to be an established, independent researcher and discover broad-spectrum antivirals that can be effectively used in medical settings.
Outside of the laboratory, my wife and I devote all our time to our new baby boy, whom we welcomed in March.