Members

MEMBERS

Marcos Sotomayor

Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University.
CV

Office / Phone: 774 Biosciences Building / (614) 6882070
E-mail: sotomayor.8 [at] osu [dot] edu

I received my B.Sc. in Physics from Universidad de Chile in 2001 and my Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007. As a graduate student with Dr. Klaus Schulten I did molecular dynamics simulations of proteins involved in mechanotransduction. I joined the laboratories of David P. Corey and Rachelle Gaudet in 2008 to do experimental work as a postdoc at Harvard University, where I solved the first structure of a heterophilic cadherin complex essential for hearing and balance. I started at OSU in July of 2013 as a structural biologist using both simulations and experiments to understand protein function. I am a workaholic and enjoy food, playing ping-pong, and traveling.

POSTDOCS & RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

.Colin Klaus (MBI)

Ph.D. Vanderbilt University, USA

E-mail: klaus.68 [at] mbi [dot] osu [dot] edu

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.GRADUATE STUDENTS

Daisy Alvarado

Biophysics PhD program

alvarado.126 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Qurat (Annie) Ashraf

MCDB PhD program

ashraf.32 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I received my B.S. in Biology from Lahore University of Management Sciences in 2012 and an M.S. as a Fulbright scholar in Cellular and Molecular Biology from University of Arkansas. I moved to OSU in 2017 and briefly worked in a plant lab before joining the Sotomayor laboratory. I consider myself a novice in the field of structural biology and have challenged myself to learn X-ray crystallography and protein biochemistry to characterize inner-ear proteins. I am a foodie, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, picnics, new experiences and learning from people.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-ashraf-58728577/

Diana Lopez

Biophysics (with Castro laboratory)

E-mail: lopez.648 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Harsha Mandayam Bharathi

Chemistry PhD Program

E-mail: mandayambharathi.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am from India, and I received my B.S. and M.S. degree in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India in the year 2019. I am interested in applying various computational and molecular dynamics simulation techniques to study proteins involved in the inner-ear mechanotransduction process and some ion channels. Apart from research I am really interested in music and I am a performing musician too. I also enjoy watching movies, road trips, working out and trying out new cuisines.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harsha-mandayam-bharathi-09bb8426a/

Shounak Mukherjee

Chemistry PhD Program

E-mail: mukherjee.175 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am an international student and have completed my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry from Jadavpur University, India. I am interested in research involving determination of mechanism of action of proteins using computer simulations. I love watching and playing soccer (football), traveling, hiking and most importantly sleeping.

Harper Smith

Biophysics PhD Program

E-mail: smith.12510 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am a biophysics student from Missouri interested in computational modeling of biological processes. I studied math and physics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis before coming to OSU. Now, I am using molecular dynamics to model proteins involved in mechanotransduction. Outside the lab, I like to play chess online or with the OSU chess club!

Zachary Smith

Biophysics PhD Program

E-mail: smith.14482 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

.I am a 2020 Biophysics graduate student from Missouri. Growing up in Jefferson City, I did my undergraduate at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. I graduated in 2020 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. My previous research includes computational biochemistry with Dr. Bill Miller III at Truman and an REU with the Sotomayor group in Summer 2019 working on PETase. My hobbies include running, reading, cooking, hiking and occasionally camping.

.ETElakkiya Tamilselvan

Biophysics PhD Program

E-mail: tamilselvan.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu.

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Wei Hsiang (Felix) Weng

Biophysics PhD Program

E-mail: weng.199 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I graduated from Tzu Chi University, Taiwan with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Life Sciences. My current research interests include using experimental and computational techniques to elucidate the structure-function relationship of inner-ear mechanotransduction proteins. Outside of research, I am an avid movie watcher, enjoy playing recreational team sports, and value spending time with close friends and family.

www.linkedin.com/in/weihsiangweng.

Haosheng Wen

Biophysics PhD Program

E-mail: wen.556 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am an international student from China with a B.Sc. in Material Science and a M.Sc. in computational Physics. I am interested in molecular dynamics simulations and protein dynamics, computational studies of active matter, and polymer physics.

Carter T. Wheat

Ohio State Biochemistry Program

E-mail: wheat.35 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am an Ohio native and a legacy Buckeye! I received my B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Otterbein University in 2020. My previous research was conducted here at OSU, where I studied the structural and strand-annealing properties of a bacterial DNA repair protein. My research interests lie in understanding the biophysical properties of organism development at the molecular level. In the future I hope to continue my career as a structural biologist and to tap into the exciting field of protein engineering. In my free time I enjoy being with my dog and cats, cycling, cooking, and watching Ohio sports (Go Bucks!).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carter-wheat-5433b5194/

ROTATION STUDENTS

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RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Yaw Agyemang

Biochemistry (2020)

E-mail: agyemang.14 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

In 2020, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Ohio State University. Presently, I am working as a research assistant and I am interested in experimentally studying the interactions among some of the components of the inner-ear mechanotransduction complex and exploring the conservation of these interactions. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and listening to the radio.

Travis Harrison-Rawn

Biochemistry

E-mail: harrison-rawn.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Ashley Le

Chemistry

E-mail: le.494 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

I am an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Theatre who joined Dr. Sotomayor’s laboratory after taking his Physical Biochemistry course at OSU. While I hope to attend medical school in the future, I am currently interested in learning about the structure-function relationship and mutations of the proteins involved in mechanotransduction of the inner ear. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano, hiking, watching movies and anime, acting, and spending time with family and friends..

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

nophotoKidist Alemayehu

Biochemistry

E-mail: alemayehu.9 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Hariharan Kannan

Biochemistry

E-mail: kannan.84 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Emily Scheib

Biochemistry

E-mail: scheib.9 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

.I am a 2024 undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry with a focus on pre-medicine, and I became involved in Sotomayor’s lab through Biochemistry 2900H. I am hoping to pursue either medical or graduate school after completing my bachelor’s at OSU. I love to travel, meet new people, and learn more about the world around me!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-scheib-06223a171

ALUMNI

Ashley Le

Chemistry (2023)

E-mail: le.494 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Now in our group as research assistant

Travis Harrison-Rawn

Biochemistry (2023)

E-mail: harrison-rawn.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Now in our group as research assistant

Neil Taliwal

Biochemistry (2023)

E-mail: taliwal.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Luis Casavilca Ramírez

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now with Rafael Brüschweiler.

E-mail: casavilcaramirez.[at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Jasanvir (Jesse) Sandhu

Biochemistry (2020)

Now at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

E-mail: sandhu.89 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Collin Nisler

Biophysics PhD Program (2015-2021)

Now doing a postdoc with Dr. Jack Szostak at University of Chicago

E-mail: nisler.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Haosheng Wen

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now in our group!

E-mail: wen.556 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Sanket_WalujkarSanket Walujkar

Chemical Physics Ph.D. (2015-2021)

Now doing a postdoc with Dr. Rachelle Gaudet at Harvard University

E-mail: walujkar.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Serina Smith

Biochemistry

Now a Staff Research Associate a Nationwide Children’s Hospital

E-mail: smith.11708 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

BNBrandon Neel

OSBP Ph.D. (2015-2021)

Now a Senior Scientist at Detect

E-mail: neel.34 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu.

Janina Anokye

Biology

Now at Case Western Reserve University

E-mail: anokye.3 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

MG-2016-03-19-smallMich Gray

OSBP Ph.D. (2014-2021)

Now Information Scientist at CAS

E-mail: gray.694 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Md Siddik Alom

Rotation Student OSBP

Now working with Kurt Fredrick

E-mail: alom.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Carter T. Wheat

Rotation Student OSBP

Now in our group!

E-mail: wheat.35 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Debadrita Modak

Chemistry Ph.D. (2014-2020)

Now at Intel Corporation

E-mail: modak.9 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Jeffrey Lotthammer

Biochemistry (2020)

Now a graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis!

E-mail: lotthammer.4 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

JSJoseph Sudar

Biochemistry (2019)

Now a graduate student at NYU!

E-mail: sudar.2 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Michael Leake

Chemistry (2019), Research Assistant (2020)

Now a graduate student at OSU!

E-mail: leake.34 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Jeshua Avila-Estrada

Chemistry Master program (2020)

Now a Research Assistant at OSU

E-mail: avila.85 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu.

Marissa Boyer

Chemistry Master program (2020)

Now a Research Scientist at Curia

E-mail: boyer.429 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

.Wei Hsiang (Felix) Weng

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now in our group!

E-mail: weng.199 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Deepanshu Choudhary

Chemistry Ph.D. (2013-2019)

Now at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

E-mail: choudhary.47 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Harsha Mandayam Bharathi

Rotation Student Chemistry PhD Program

Now in our group!

E-mail: mandayambharathi.1 [at] osu [dot] edu

.Pedro De-la-Torre

Visiting Scholar (August – October, 2014), Postdoc (2016-2019)

Now at the Indzhykulian lab (https://ailab.hms.harvard.edu/)

E-mail: delatorremarquez.1 [at] osu [dot] edu

LPLeah Pastor

Biochemistry (2019)

Now at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

E-mail: pastor.42 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Zachary Smith

2019 REU from Truman State University

Now in our group!

E-mail: smith.13250 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Diana Lopez

Rotation Student Biophysics

Now in our group and Castro’s laboratory!

E-mail: lopez.648 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Nicholas Hazen

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now with Dr. Jun Liu

E-mail: hazen.57 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Harper Smith

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now in our group!

E-mail: smith.12510 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Paula Blazquez-Sanchez

Visiting Scholar (September-October 2018), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

E-mail: blazquez-sanchez.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

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Yoshie Narui

Postdoc (2014-2018)

Now at CEMAS (https://cemas.osu.edu/)

E-mail: narui.2 [at] osu [dot] edu

Pranay Arora

Biomedical Engineering (2018)

Now at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

E-mail: arora.127 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Avinash Jaiganesh

Biophysics Ph.D. (2012-2018)

Now a Research Scientist at Codiak Biosciences

E-mail: jaiganesh.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Nicholas Alcorn

Biology

Now a Pharmacy Technician at CVS Pharmacy

E-mail: alcorn.26 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu.

Lucas Runyan

Rotation Student Chemistry PhD Program

Now with Dr. Dmitri Kudryashov

E-mail: runyan.61 [at] osu [dot] edu

nophotoXinyao Xiang

Rotation Student Chemistry PhD Program

Now with Dr. Rafael Bruschweiler

E-mail: xiang.197 [at] osu [dot] edu

Pablo Galaz-Davison

Visiting Scholar (June-July 2017), Universidad de Chile – Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

E-mail: galaz-davison.1 [at] osu [dot] edu

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Raúl Araya-Secchi

Postdoc (2013-2017)

Now a Docente Investigador at Faculta de Ingeniería y Teconología Universidad San Sebastián

E-mail: arayasecchi.1[at] osu [dot] edu

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.Sharon Cooper

Ph. D. Student (2012-2017; with Jontes laboratory)

Now Assistant Professor of Biology at Cedarville University

E-mail: miller.5770 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Lahiru Wimalasena

Biomedical Engineering undergraduate  (2013-2017)

Now a graduate student at Emory / Georgia Tech!

wimalasena.2 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

ETElakkiya Tamilselvan

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now in our group!

E-mail: tamilselvan.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

DongSongyu-2016Songyu Dong

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now with Dr. Dmitri Kudryashov

E-mail: dong.630 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Florencia Velez-Cortes

Physics undergraduate (2013-2015)

Research assistant (2016)

Now a graduate student at Columbia University!

Aniket Patel

Microbiology

Now a Strategic Marketing Fellow at Sanofi and Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University

E-mail: patel.1756 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Domenic Termine

Biochemistry

Now a PGY-3 Family Medicine Resident at Stamford Health

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Conghui (Claire) Chen

Biochemistry

Now working in industry

E-mail: chen.3351 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Adrienne Thornburg

Chemistry Master program

Now Science Teacher at Eastwood Academy

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Hong Duc Chau Phan

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now with Venkat Gopalan

phan.101 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

SKIMStephanie Kim

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now a doing a postdoc at Steinegger Lab, Seoul National University

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.Zech Thompson

Rotation Student Chemistry PhD Program

Now Senior Scientist at Owens Corning

E-mail: thompson.2166 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

NC2Nathan Crum

Undergraduate (2015)

Now Backend Software Engineer at LightSpeed Global

E-mail: crum.187 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu.

Zachary Johnson

Biochemistry undergraduate (2014-2015); Research Assistant (2015)

Now a Resident Doctor at Marshall University

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Carissa Klanseck

Animal Sciences undergraduate (2013-2014); Research assistant (2015)

Now a Clinical Lab Technologiest at OSU

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ESEric Shtivelberg

Research Assistant Summer 2015

Nowt a Senior DevOps Engineer at Kyruus

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smarguetSean Marguet

Rotation Student Chemistry PhD program

Now a Research and Innovative Chemist at Geo. Pfau’s Sons Company, Inc

E-mail: marguet.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Melvyn Drag

Master Student (2013-2015) Department of Mathematics

Now working at NJCU

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BDBenjamin Donovan

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD program

Now doing a postdoc with Daniel Larson at NIH/NCI

E-mail: donovan.226 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

SDSamantha Dodbele

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now doing a postdoc at the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania

E-mail: dodbele.1 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

nophotoZach VanMatre

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now Chemist at Quidel

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..CICurtis Israel

Rotation Student Biophysics PhD Program

Now with Heather Allen

E-mail: israel.76 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Deryanur Kilic

Visiting Scholar (2013-2014)

Now: Assistant Professor at Ataturk University Erzurum, Turkey

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Chris Schwebach

Rotation Student Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program

Now R&D Scientist, Vaccines at Bimeda Biologicals

E-mail: schwebach.2 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Nathan Howell

Rotation Student Ohio State Biochemistry Program

Now Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

howell.439 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

Anusha Kumar

Graduate Student, Chemistry PhD Program

Now with Thomas Magliery

E-mail: kumar.330 [at] buckeyemail [dot] osu [dot] edu

HONORARY MEMBERS

RPRobert Powers, Gaudet Lab.

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nophotoMounir Koussa, Corey/Wong Labs.

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Mary Anne Rubio.

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JOIN THE LAB

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students interested in doing experimental and/or computational research. Inquiries about positions in the group are welcomed. Click here to know more about OSU. Click here to know more about Columbus.

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