Research: My research is centered on protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) – enzymatic and non-enzymatic chemical alterations to protein structure that are involved in every aspect of cell biology such as cell division, signal transduction, epigenetics, cellular trafficking and beyond. More recently, PTMs have become broadly appreciated for their involvement in phase separation of proteins. Over the last 19 years, I have focused on the detection and experimental investigation of PTMs, evidenced by a broad publication record ranging from mass spectrometry/proteomic method development to in vitro biochemistry and the dissection of molecular mechanisms in vivo. Currently, my lab integrates quantitative proteomics with bioinformatics, cell biology and biochemistry to understand how G proteins and their protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are regulated by PTMs including phosphorylation, ubiquitination and acetylation. My lab has also developed novel computational tools and bioinformatic resources for the curation and prediction of functional PTM hotspots (SAPH-ire), which we have exploited to identify novel cell signaling regulatory circuits in eukaryotes. Through our work in the Southeast Center for Math and Biology, we have also studied the relationship between phosphorylation and protein intrinsic disorder via molecular dynamics simulation and generative machine learning.
Teaching/Mentorship: I have a demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentorship at Georgia Tech. I have trained 8 PhD students, 6 of which have graduated and moved into productive postdocs in biomedical fields. I have also mentored 8 postdocs, 12 MS students, 10 undergraduates (2 UG have published with me), and 4 high school students. My lab is devoted to supporting trainees to complete their degrees in a timely fashion and to promote excellence in research and development that includes the use of high standards of rigor and reproducibility. I focus heavily on science communication through the use of lab meetings and one-on-one speech coaching. I also teach a well-subscribed, self-developed course in Proteomics: Technologies and Applications.
Service: I am the faculty co-director for the Systems Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (Proteomics), which provides proteomics services to the Georgia Tech faculty. I am the founder and leader of the Molecular BioMedical (MBM) Research Community at Georgia Tech that supports 5-6 lunch seminars given by junior researchers in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Engineering departments. The MBM also stewards an Appleton Endowment for research in Cancer and Related Topics, supports a student-led seminar series (outside speaker invitations/hosting), a top-up fellowship for incoming URM students, as well as faculty-invited speakers. Beyond my own lab and institution, I serve on the executive committee for the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) and on the editorial board for the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
