Hi there!
I’m a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech, where I work in Dr. Harry Gray’s lab.
My research dives into how copper(II) and cobalt(III) interact with Nsp1, a SARS-CoV-2 protein known for shutting down the body’s immune defenses. With a background in biochemistry, spectroscopy, and physical organic chemistry, I use tools like protein expression, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism to explore big questions in bioinorganic chemistry.
In another project, I’m exploring how proteins protect themselves from oxidative damage during catalysis. I focus on cytochrome P450 enzymes and multicopper oxidases—fascinating molecular machines that perform high-risk redox chemistry. By studying how chains of tryptophan and tyrosine residues shuttle oxidizing equivalents to safer parts of the protein, I aim to uncover built-in survival strategies that help enzymes stay active longer.
I love what I do and am always looking for new ways to grow as a scientist, connect with others, and make chemistry just a little more exciting.
Education:
Ph.D in Chemistry (June 2025) - California Institute of Technology
B.S. in Chemistry (June 2020)- University of California, Riverside
High School Diploma (June 2016)- Etiwanda High School
Hobbies: Cooking, Baking, Crocheting, Reading, Hiking