Research & Scientific Experience

Target Enabling Packages (TEPs)

• Led integrated drug discovery programs advancing gene-to-structure-to-chemical probe pipelines
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to accelerate development of novel chemical tools
• Contributed to early-stage target validation and probe development for neglected diseases

Core Expertise

• Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD): Applied X-ray crystallography, NMR, and biophysical assays (ITC, DSF, MST, DLS, FRET) to guide molecular optimization and validate target engagement
• Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD): Established FBDD platforms and led campaigns from screening to hit expansion and lead development
• Computational Medicinal Chemistry: Used molecular modeling, docking, and structure-guided design for hit-to-lead optimization and dual-target inhibitor development

Selected Projects & Achievements

• Designed antiviral compounds using computational and crystallographic methods, achieving sub-micromolar Kd/IC₅₀
• Developed a dual-target inhibitor by integrating structural data to enhance selectivity and potency
• Targeted BRCA1 tBRCT domain via NMR-based fragment screening and structure-guided expansion
• Led fragment screening across diverse protein families, enabling rational probe development
• Identified binding pockets via protein backbone NMR assignment
• Characterized small molecule–protein interactions using mass spectrometry
• Integrated structural biology with biophysical validation to accelerate probe design

Small Heat Shock Proteins (sHsps)

• Investigated the structure and function of sHSPs and HSP90 using molecular biology, biophysics, and biochemistry
• Employed SEC-MALS, DLS, analytical SEC, and CD to study protein oligomerization

Materials Chemistry Projects

Synthesis and Application of Porous Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)

• Utilized techniques in inorganic, organic, and supramolecular chemistry, along with X-ray crystallography, to characterize organic ligands and coordination complexes
• Characterized porous MOFs, determined crystal structures, and examined gas sensing and adsorption properties post-synthetic modification
• Designed, synthesized, and characterized ligands via multi-step organic synthesis
• Maintained and troubleshot laboratory instruments including single crystal X-ray diffractometers, gas adsorbers, and elemental analyzers

Structures of Polyoxometalates

• Collected single crystal X-ray data and performed structure solution and refinement of giant polyoxometalate clusters

Synthesis, Structure, and Application of Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs)

• Characterized SMMs and determined crystal structures
• Designed, synthesized, and purified organic ligands through multi-step synthesis

Synthesis of Metal-Based Drugs

• Synthesized and structurally characterized bismuth and lanthanide-based coordination compounds
• Trained and guided a junior research student throughout the project