Biography - A native of Massachusetts, I majored in Chemistry at Northeastern University, and I'm presently in the Chemistry Department at UNM studying Physical Chemistry under Prof. Hau Guo.

Research - Our research focuses on mechanisms of enzyme catalysis, specifically involved in bacterial pathology. Using a variety of computer simulations to uncover nanoscopic details, we are currently focused on characterizing how a recently discovered class of protein effectors, injected into epithelial cells by Shigella and Salmonella, disrupts the immune response to escape detection. Developing a targeted inhibitor for this effector would allow the immune system to clear the infection naturally rather than killing the bacteria directly, an approach which may select less strongly for resistance. Hopefully, the IGERT NSMS program will allow me to incorporate recent advances and perspectives in nanoscience into the development of treatments for bacterial infections that kill over 1 million people per year in the developing world.