This fall, the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute welcomed a new cohort of Northwestern graduate students to its NIH Predoctoral Training Program. Alondra Sanchez, Ana Leal, Assa Magassa, Jun dos Remedios, Miguel Campos, and Yara Jabbour Al Maalouf joined second-year trainees Amy Tang, Ananya Basu, and Daniel de Castro Assumpcao, in the prestigious program to conduct immersive research experiences that span the interface between biology, chemical biology, engineering, and organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. CLP trainees are distinguished by their strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, research experience and productivity, and their ability to overcome obstacles to pursue their career goals.
Trainees select two mentors from a roster of 54 highly interdisciplinary Northwestern faculty whose research programs fall within the following areas: development of molecular therapeutics and diagnostics; study of molecular mechanisms and targets; molecular and systems modeling; and engineering of biological systems. They are required to spend at least 10-weeks in the lab of their secondary mentor to learn new methods and approaches.
“The CLP Predoctoral Training Program provides students with a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of chemical biology. It also equips students with a strong support system,” says CLP member Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry), a preceptor of the program.
CLP trainees must complete two courses that provide the intellectual foundation and hands-on experience needed to be successful in working across the chemistry-biology interface. Participation in monthly research forums and communications workshops helps students build confidence and hone their presentation skills. As part of the program, trainees also invite and host prestigious scientists from across academia and industry to give lectures at Northwestern.
“It’s a delight to see students pursuing ambitious, interdisciplinary projects through CLP! I love seeing students grow out of their comfort zones through collaborations with other fields,” says CLP faculty member and program preceptor Gabriel Rocklin (Pharmacology).
This year’s new graduate trainees are:
Alondra Sanchez
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry) and Deyu Fang (Pathology)
Ana Leal
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Chad Mirkin (Chemistry) and Bin Zhang (Cancer Immunology)
Assa Magassa
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry) and Gabriel Rocklin (Pharmacology)
Jun dos Remedios
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Richard Silverman (Chemistry) and Richard Morimoto (Molecular Biosciences)
Miguel Campos
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Karl Scheidt (Chemistry) and Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry)
Yara Jabbour Al Maalou
Graduate Program: Chemical Engineering
Preceptors: Keith Tyo (Chemical and Biological Engineering) and Gabriel Rocklin (Pharmacology)
The 2nd-year graduate trainees are:
Amy Tang
Graduate Program: Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences
Preceptors: Deyu Fang (Pathology) and Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry)
Ananya Basu
Graduate Program: Chemistry
Preceptors: Xiaoyu Zhang (Chemistry) and Curt Horvath (Molecular Biosciences)
Daniel de Castro Assumpcao
Graduate Program: Chemical Engineering
Preceptors: Danielle Tullman-Ercek (Chemical and Biological Engineering) and Neal Devaraj (Biochemistry and Biophysics)
“I believe the program plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of chemical biologists,” says Zhang. “I am proud to be part of this journey and am excited to witness the program’s continued success.”
by Lisa La Vallee