Ryan Messer, graduate student
I am a new graduate student in the Luger lab. I am excited to study the biochemical mechanisms of chromatin-regulating proteins. When I take off my graduate student hat, I like to play all kinds of sports, go on hikes, explore new places, and cook.
Sashi Weerawarana, graduate student
I am investigating how mitochondrial DNA is organized into nucleoids using biophysical and structural methods. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing water polo, skiing and hiking.
Alexandria Fiorenza, graduate student
I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at East Carolina University where I investigated how modifications in N-glycosylation can alter the structure and function of neurons. Later, I joined a biotech start-up where we received IND/clinical trial approval for an investigational cellular therapy. Currently, I am focusing on the structural and mechanistic biology of proteins that regulate and remodel chromatin. Outside of the lab, I enjoy snowboarding, wake surfing, reading, and drawing. I am excited to dive into the realm of structural biology!
Email: Alexandria.Fiorenza@colorado.edu
Isabel Crooker, graduate student
I received my bachelor’s degree in computational and molecular biology from Cornell University where I researched the impact of TFIIS on the time resolution of real time transcription. Now, in the Luger lab I am studying noncanonical histone structures in organisms often thought to be lacking histone-mediated genome organization. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, cycling, reading, and yoga.
Luis Paez Beltran III, graduate student
I am a new graduate student co-advised by Dr. Karolin Luger and Dr. Kayla Sprenger. My research focuses on understanding the selectivity and binding mechanisms of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PARP1-HPF1 complex, with the goal of improving current treatments for BRCA-deficient cancers. To address these questions, I plan to combine structural, biochemical, and computational methods to investigate the ligand-protein interactions experimentally and theoretically. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy playing board games, sports, reading, and watching movies with friends
Trinity Dillard, graduate student
I earned by undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Bryn Mawr College, where my research focused on inhibiting a key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Now at CU Boulder, I am excited to explore how prokaryotic organisms utilize histone like proteins to organize their DNA using a variety of biophysical and biochemical techniques. When I’m not in lab, you’ll find me in the mountains skiing, backpacking, or biking
Jackson Blumer-Ham, graduate student
I received my bachelors in Biochemistry from SUNY Binghamton, where I studied fatty acid synthesis in Mycobacteria tuberculosis, developing novel drug targets. Now, in the Luger Lab I am applying structural and biophysical techniques to investigate chromatin regulating proteins. Outside the lab you can find me lifting, snowboarding, and taking care of my tropical house plants.
Sydney Edwards, graduate student
I received my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Indiana University, where I did research in Megan Thielges’ lab on conformational dynamics of metalloproteins. After graduating, I spent a postbaccalaureate year in Eva Nogales’ lab at UC Berkeley, investigating transcriptional regulation. I am excited to be working on the structure of chromatin-associated proteins in the Luger lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, playing the violin, and spending time with my cat.