Location: Building 68 - Koch Biology Building
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 2017, University of Washington
- Undergraduate: BS, 2010, Micro/Molecular Biology, Portland State University
Research Summary
Sergey Ovchinnikov uses phylogenetic inference, protein structure prediction/determination, protein design, deep learning, energy-based models, and differentiable programming to tackle evolutionary questions at environmental, organismal, genomic, structural, and molecular scales, with the aim of developing a unified model of protein evolution.
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1990, Rockefeller University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1984, Genetics, Cambridge University
Research Summary
Different cells take on an astonishing variety of shapes, which are often critical to be able to perform specialized cell functions like absorbing nutrients or contracting muscles. We study how different cell shapes arise and how cells control the spatial distribution of their internal constituents. We take advantage of the tractability of fungal model systems, and address these questions using approaches from cell biology, genetics, and computational biology to understand molecular mechanisms.
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2008
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2010
- Duke Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award, 2019
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 2016, Stanford University
- Undergraduate: BA, 2009, Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Research Summary
We use the tiny, transparent jellyfish, Clytia hemisphaerica, to ask questions at the interface of nervous system evolution, development, regeneration, and function. Our foundation is in systems neuroscience, where we use genetic and optical techniques to examine how behavior arises from the activity of networks of neurons. Building from this work, we investigate how the Clytia nervous system is so robust, both to the constant integration of newborn neurons and following large-scale injury. Lastly, we use Clytia’s evolutionary position to study principles of nervous system evolution and make inferences about the ultimate origins of nervous systems.
Awards
- Searle Scholar Award, 2024
- Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award in Neuroscience, 2023
- Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2020
- Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellow, 2017
Education
- PhD, 2016, Stanford University School of Medicine
- BA, 2008, Molecular Biology, Princeton University
Research Summary
Our bodies are tuned to detect and respond to cues from the outside world and from within through exquisite collaborations between cells. For example, the cells lining our airways communicate with sensory neurons in response to chemical and mechanical signals, and evoke key reflexes such as coughing. This cellular collaboration protects our airways from damage and stabilizes breathing, but can become dysregulated in disease. Despite their vital importance to human health, fundamental questions about how sensory transduction is accomplished at these sites remain unsolved. We use the mammalian airways as a model system to investigate how physiological insults are detected, encoded, and addressed at essential barrier tissues — with the ultimate goal of providing new ways to treat autonomic dysfunction.
Awards
- Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Award, 2021
- Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellowship, 2018
Education
- PhD, 2014, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- BA, 2008, Biology, Franklin and Marshall College
Research Summary
We study how cells regulate the spatial organization of signaling molecules at the plasma membrane to control downstream signaling. For example, receptor clustering and higher-order assembly with cytoplasmic proteins can create compartments with unique biochemical and biophysical properties. We use quantitative experimental approaches from biochemistry, molecular biophysics, and cell biology to study transmembrane signaling pathways and how they are misregulated in diseases like cancer.
Awards
- NSF Career Award, 2025
- Searle Scholar, 2022
- NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, 2022
- AFOSR Young Investigator Award, 2021
- Brown-Goldstein Award, 2020
- Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Breakthrough Scientist, 2020
Education
- PhD, 2013, University of California, Berkeley
- BS, 2008, Genetics, University of Georgia
Research Summary
We study the interplay of gene expression and genome organization. Our work focuses on understanding how large molecular machineries involved in genome organization and gene transcription regulate each others’ function to ultimately determine cell fate and identity. We employ a broad range of approaches including single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, and genetics to mechanistically understand how these molecular assemblies regulate each other across molecular scales.
Awards
- New Innovator Award, National Institutes of Health Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program, 2021
Education
- PhD, 1987, MIT
Research Summary
The Kaiser lab studied protein folding and intracellular trafficking in the yeast S. cerevisiae. Their work focused on the protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), quality control mechanisms in the ER, and membrane protein sorting in Golgi compartments. They combined genetic, biochemical, and cell biological methods to gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying each of these processes. Chris Kaiser is no longer accepting students.
Education
- PhD, 1988, Stanford University
- BS, 1983, Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Summary
Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and regulation behind AAA+ unfoldases and macromolecular machines from the “Clp/Hsp100 family” of protein unfolding enzymes. We study these biological catalysts using biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, genetics, and single molecule biophysics.
No longer accepting students.
Awards
- Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 2008-2018
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2007
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2005
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1994
Education
- PhD, 2001, University of Massachusetts Medical School
- BS, 1990, Biomedical Science, Framingham State University
Research Summary
We investigate how complex circuits of genes are regulated to produce robust developmental outcomes particularly during heart development. A main focus is to determine how DNA is packaged into chromatin, and how ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers modify this packaging to control lineage commitment. We are now applying these principles to develop methods to stimulate repair of damaged cardiac tissue (e.g., regeneration). Our ability to combine genomic, genetic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches both in vitro and in vivo as well as ongoing efforts to use tissue engineering to model the 3D architecture of the heart will ultimately allow us to gain a systems level and quantitative understanding of the regulatory circuits that promote normal heart development and how faulty regulation can lead to disease.
Awards
- Medicine by Design Distinguished Lecture, 2017
- Cardiovascular Rising Star Distinguished Lecture, 2017
- American Heart Association Innovative Research Award, 2013
- Irvin and Helen Sizer Career Development Award, 2012
- Smith Family Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science, 2009
- Massachusetts Life Sciences Center New Investigator Award, 2008
- Pew Scholars Award in the Biomedical Sciences, 2008
- Honorary Doctorate, Framingham State College, 2007
- The Scientific American World’s 50 Top Leaders in Research, Business or Policy, 2006