CV
Education
- B.S. in Chemistry (cum laude), Missouri State University, 2018
- Minor in Mathematics, Missouri State University, 2020
- M.S. in Chemistry (magna cum laude), Missouri State University, 2020
- Ph.D in Bioorganic Chemistry (Specialization: Computational Chemistry), Charles University, 2025
Awards
- Dimitris N. Chorafas Prize, 2025
- Awarded for outstanding doctoral research in engineering sciences, medicine, or natural sciences.
- Missouri State University Outstanding Inorganic Chemistry Student Award
- Awarded for top performance and research in inorganic chemistry (2017-2020).
- Missouri State University Hypercube Award
- Awarded to top performing students working with computer science-related chemistry for work on biodiesel fracking (2013-2017).
Research Experience and Internships
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Charles University, Hradec Králové, CZ, 01.2025-present
- Project: “Understanding the binding patterns of orphan nuclear receptor NR2F6”.
- Implemented computational models including molecular dynamics, alanine scanning, hierarchical clustering, and AlphaFold to derive binding affinities.
- Supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (Project GACR 22-17931B).
- Visiting Researcher (Erasmus Traineeship)
- Lund University, Lund, SE, 04.2023 - 09.2023
- Research Trainee under the tutelage of Dr. Marie Skepö.
- Gained skills in utilizing synchrotrons, SAXS, and circular dichroism.
- Investigated the pre-tetramerization loop of p53 and co-authored a technique to analyze conformational flexibility by decomposing ensembles by radius of gyration.
- Doctoral Researcher (Grant Agency of Charles University)
- Charles University, Hradec Králové, CZ, 01.2021 - 12.2023
- Worked on project 344321: “Calculation of NMR spin-spin couplings for intrinsically disordered proteins”.
- Focused on the proline-rich region of Tau and the effect of hyper-phosphorylation.
- Doctoral Researcher (Czech Science Foundation)
- Charles University, Hradec Králové, CZ, 09.2020 - 12.2022
- Worked on project 19-14886Y: “Reliable calculations and predictions of NMR chemical shifts for the structural characterization of phosphorylated intrinsically disordered proteins”.
- Developed and published two new techniques for clustering and assessing conformational landscapes.
- Master’s Research
- Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 01.2017-04.2020
- Thesis on the computational pyrolysis of biodiesel, and published a paper on a new technique for generating 3D printing models from 2D NMR chemical shift NOESY.
Work Experience
- ACT Lecturer
- Charles University, Hradec Králové, CZ, 01.2025-present
- Taught practical classes on utilizing simple publicly available office tools for computations and data presentations.
- Fall/Spring Semester 2016: Organic Chemistry PASS Tutor
- Missouri State University
- Duties included: Conducted regular sessions throughout the week ranging from group to singular interactions and held pre-examination testing sessions before each exam, personally crafting practice tests to supplement the education.
- Supervisor: Professor Matthew Siebert
- Fall 2015: MSU Computer Service Technician
- Missouri State University
- Duties included: Fixing computer problems, removing viruses, diagnosing Blackboard server issues, and other IT related problems.
- Supervisor: Jeremy Henson
Computer Programming
- Expert proficiency in Molecular Dynamics simulations through GROMACS
- Advanced proficiency in data analysis, visualization, and scripting using Python (including packages for Machine Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, and Clustering)
- Advanced proficiency in Quantum Chemical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the Adjustable-Density Matrix Assembler (ADMA) fragmentation approach
- Advanced proficiency in bash scripting
Publications
Talks
Utilizing Machine Learning Algorithms and Fragmentation Techniques to Probe Intrinsically Disordered Proteins‘ Phase Space with NMR Chemical Shifts
Talk at Innsbruck University, Innsbruck, Austria
Intrinsically Disordered Regions in p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein
Talk at European Biophisical Society Association (EBSA), Stockholm, Sweden