Johannes Rudolph, Senior Professional Research Assistant
I am a mechanistic enzymologist presently interested in obtaining a better understanding of the details of the reaction mechanism of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases. Over my career, I have studied the kinetics and reaction mechanisms of a wide variety of enzymes, including ATP-dependent synthetases, protein kinases and protein phosphatases involved in cell cycle regulation and signal transduction, a Zn2+-dependent deacetylase involved in Lipid A biosynthesis, a quinone-oxidoreductase from human red blood cells, prostaglandin E synthase involved in the inflammatory response, a reductase involved in pyridoxal phosphate biosynthesis, and a flavin-dependent monooxygenases involved in the degradation of pentachlorophenol. Enzymes are fascinating!
Email: Johannes.Rudolph@colorado.edu
Nicole Hoitsma – Postdoctoral Associate
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
My graduate research focused on the structural biology and enzymology of DNA Repair enzymes. As a post doc in the Luger lab, I am excited to work on structural biology of chromatin and chromatin remodelers. I am interested in understanding the atomic-level details of chromatin-regulating proteins and their complex mechanisms. Outside of lab, I enjoy reading a good book, hiking with my husband, and playing with our dog, Clooney.
Training: Bachelors of Science, Biology, South Dakota State University, 2015 PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 2022
Email: Nicole.Hoitsma@colorado.edu
Shawn Laursen, Postdoctoral Associate
I focus on how non-eukaryotic organisms use histones and histone-like proteins to structure DNA. I use a variety of biophysical, biochemical and structural methods to explore these interactions. Outside of the lab I enjoy skiing, running and biking
Email: Shawn.Laursen@Colorado.EDU
Alejandro Villalta Cásares – Postdoctoral Associate
I performed my graduate research studying giant viruses, most precisely on FeS proteins and how the DNA is compacted inside of those viruses. Now, as a postdoc in Luger lab, I’m excited to study histones and histone-like proteins of non-eukaryotic organisms. In my free time, I mostly enjoy playing videogames and sculping clay.
Email: Alejandro.VillaltaCasares@colorado.edu
Wei Tian – Postdoctoral Associate
I got my PhD degree in Beijing normal university in China, my graduate research was specializing in the structural basis of H3K36 methylation enzymes. Then I joined Dr. Wei Yang’s lab at NIH for my first-phase postdoctoral research, at there I was working on the processing of SARS-COV-2 proteases in vivo. In July 2023, I am excited to join Dr. Luger’s lab to expand my expertise in chromatin regulation. Outside of research, I delight in caring for my plants and spending time with my cat. On weekends, I love exploring the city.
email: wei.tian-1@colorado.edu