The Protein Benders!
Join us!
Members
We welcome new collaborative and enthusiastic members!
Check our awesome team below. If you're interested in seeing a timeline of who worked in our lab, check our lab's timeline!
Please contact ParisaH if you are interested.
Parisa Hosseinzadeh (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor
parisah 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Protein and peptide design, Computational methods in biochemistry, Biosensors and enzymes, Machine learning
Background:
B.Sc University of Tehran, Iran
PhD University of Illinois at Uraban-Champaign
Advisor Yi Lu
Postdoc Univeristy of Washington, Seattle
Advisor David Baker
Other interests:
science outreach, justice in STEM, reading, sports, crafting
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Arash Asgari (He/Him/His)
Lab Manager
asgari 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Hydroxyapatite enamel repair, regenerative medicine, GC and HPLC and its applications
Background:
Education University of California, Davis
Other interests:
House Renovations , Baking, mycologist , backpacking, Cooking
Kevin Harnden (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Scholar
kharnden 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Protein design, bionorganic chemistry, machine learning, alternative energy, bioremediation, green catalysis
Background:
B.Sc Sonoma State University
PhD University of Illinois at Uraban-Champaign
Advisor Yi Lu
Other interests:
Volunteering, outreach, traveling, film, music, video games, books, Brazilian jiu jitsu, yoga, art
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Yusong Zou (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Scholar
Research interests:
Protein Design, Computational Protein Engineering, Biosensors, and Machine Learning
Background:
B.Sc Biological Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 2019
M.Sc Biochemical Engineering, The University of Georgia, 2020
Advisor: Yajun Yan
Ph.D. Biological and Agricultural Engineering, The University of Georgia, 2025. Advisor: Yajun Yan
Other interests:
Badminton, Soccer, Football, Road trip
Andrew Powers
BioE Graduate student
apowers4 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Computational protein engineering, machine learning, protein design, cyclic peptide design, and developing computational tools
Background:
B.S. Psychology, University of Minnesota
M.Sc. Bioinformatics and Genomics (KCGIP),
University of Oregon
Other interests:
Wrestling, Olympic Weightlifting, learning languages, traveling, hiking, scuba diving, and coding
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Noora Azadvari (She/Her/Hers)
BioE Graduate Student
eazadvar 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Solving biological problems by any tools in design and computation, structural biology
Background:
B.S. University of Tehran, Iran
Other interests:
Photography and film making, Reading, Running, Birding, Sustainability and zero waste, Minimalism, Science communication, Poetry, Cooking
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Ben Burress-Irving (He/Him/His)
BioE Graduate Student
bburress 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Biochemistry, Protein design for biomedical applications
Background:
B.S. Biochemistry Class of 2024
Other interests:
Playing electric and upright bass in various ensembles, traveling, playing video games
Russell McLoughlin (He/Him/His)
BioE Graduate Student
rmcl 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Computational Protein Engineering
Background:
B.S. Computer Science, UC Santa Barbara 2009
M.S Computer Science, UC Santa Barbara 2010
Other interests:
Fly Fishing and Sailing
rmcl
Wesley Gomersall (He/Him/His)
KCGIP Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Student
Research interests:
Computational biology
Background:
B.Sc Applied Mathematics, BS Molecular Biology
Western Washington University (2020)
M.Sc. Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics
University of Oregon Class of 2025
Other interests:
Aquariums, Board games, Reading, Skiing, Surfing
Waverly Wilson(She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus Postbaccalaureate Scholar
Research interests:
Protein Engineering, Computational Design, Protein Purification, Environmental Applications
Background:
B.Sc Chemistry, BioE minor
University of Oregon Class of 2025
Other interests:
Scientific Communication, Running, Baking, Unicycling, Reading, Traveling, Skateboarding, Jewelry Making, Skiing, Environment
Miranda Simpson (She/Her/Hers)
Rosetta Commons Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Research interests:
Protein engineering and design, bioinformatics, machine learning
Background:
B.Sc Computer Science, Marshall University 2025
Minor Biology
Other interests:
Hiking/walking, reading, baking, and traveling
Hannah Siegler (She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research interests:
Proteins, Biomedical Applications
Background:
B.Sc Biology, BioE
Minors Chemistry minor
University of Oregon Class of 2025
Other interests:
Running, cooking, social justice, healthcare accessibility
Brooklyn Cessna (She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Research interests:
Protein engineering, computational design, musculoskeletal regeneration
Background:
B.Sc Human Physiology
Minor Chemistry, as well as Science Communication minor.
University of Oregon Class of 2027
Other interests:
Competitive Dance, sports, baking, music, Pilates, spending time with friends and family
Sid Lefranc (She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research interests:
Protein design for medical application, regenerative medicine, and neurodegenerative diseases
Background:
B.Sc Neuroscience
Minor Bioengineering, as well as Spanish language minor.
University of Oregon Class of 2027
Other interests:
Jiujitsu, backpacking, weightlifting, cooking, beading, and livestock training.
Alex Fagan (He/Him/His)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Research interests:
Computational modeling, machine learning, and applications of biomedicine in oncology
Background:
B.Sc Human Physiology
Minor Computer Science and Biochemistry,
University of Oregon class of 2027
Other interests:
Skiing, river surfing, running, sewing, and going on adventures
Allyssa Mini (She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research interests:
Protein engineering, Biomedical Applications, and Biosensors
Background:
B.Sc Human Physiology , BFA Dance , University of Oregon Class of 2027
Other interests:
Competitive dance, music, weightlifting, and reading
Kaia Stover (They/Them/Theirs)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Research Assistant
stover 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Structural biology and protein biochemistry
Background:
B.Sc Biology, University of Oregon Class of 2026
Other interests:
Entomology, walking, nature documentaries, baking
Dylan Merrill (He/Him/His)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research interests:
Protein engineering, Biomedical Applications
Background:
B.Sc Human Physiology
Minor Chemistry, University of Oregon class of 2027
Other interests:
Competitive Soccer, basketball, football, golf, hiking, skiing, traveling with friends and family
Sophia Elizabeth Shaw (She/Her/Hers)
Knight Campus REU
Research interests:
Biomedical applications, machine learning, data visualization, bioinformatics
Background:
B.Sc Computer Science and Engineering,
University of California, Irvine Class of 2026
Other interests:
Film and digital media, human-computer interaction,DJ-ing, hiking
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Edin Muratspahíc (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Scholar
edinm 'at' uoregon.edu
Research interests:
Computational peptide and protein design with applications in medicine; structure, function and pharmacology of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs)
Background:
B.Sc University of Vienna, Austria
M.Sc University of Vienna, Austria
PhD University of Vienna, Austria
Advisor Christian W. Gruber
Other interests:
Playing and watching sports, going to the gym, hiking and singing
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Lab Alumni
Name Position Current Position
Christian Topete Research Assistant Scientist, BMS Seattle
Anh Nguyen Rosetta Summer Intern Undergraduate, Saint Luis University
Burke Wilebski Undergraduate Researcher Moss Adams Wealth Advisor, LLC
Saud Zaidan Undergraduate Researcher
Beatrice Pavesi Graduate courtesy research assistant Master student, University of Pavesi
Zack Mawaldi Rosetta Summer Intern Undergraduate, VCU
Suchetana Gupta. Postdoc Bioinformatics Engineer, Clovertex
Alonso Cruz Undergraduate Researcher Research at OHSU
Jenny Nguyễn Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher
LJ Jones Master's student
Karly Fear BioE Graduate student Scientific Sales at Levitate Bio
Hanna Stokes Undergraduate Researcher
Ari Perch Undergraduate Researcher Master's student
Pat Janthana Undergraduate Research Rice University
Cassandra Gonzalez Lab Manager Graduate Student
Andrew Fadgen Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Saint Joseph's University
High School Interns
Name School Year
Melodie Chiu Camas high school Summer 2021
Maxwell Soh Tesla STEM high school Winter 2021
Rotation Students
Name Program Year
Christian Li Chemistry and Biochemistry Spring 2022
Matt Nardoci Biology Winter 2022
Justin Svendsen Chemistry and Biochemistry Fall 2021
Preeti Bhattacharghi Chemistry and Biochemistry Spring 2023
Alex Guerrero Chemistry and Biochemistry Spring 2023