Mentor: Mikail Abbasov

Education

University of Mississippi – B.S., Chemistry (with emphasis in Biochemistry) (2018)

Awards and Honors

• ACS Local Chapter Outstanding Organic Chemistry Student (2018)
• ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award (2019)
• U. Mississippi Chancellor’s Honor Roll
• U. Mississippi Taylor Medal Recipient

Research Experience:

• Physical Science Technician at the USDA Natural Products Utilization Research Unit (2017-2020)

Current Research Activities:

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interact with RNAs to form ribonucleoprotein complexes that control the fate of nearly every transcript. These interactions are essential in maintaining normal human physiology, as defects in RBP function have been implicated in autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, cancer, and innate antiviral immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms of RNA-protein interactions (RPIs) that underpin gene expression and form the basis of numerous human diseases are poorly understood. My research is based on the hypothesis that perturbation of RPIs with small molecules could provide insight into their pathophysiological roles and demonstrate their effectiveness as novel therapeutic targets. I will implement natural product total synthesis and chemical biology approaches, including innovative chemoproteomic technologies, to identify, characterize, and selectively target RPIs in lung cancer cells.