Beckman Scholars Program

Lijek is a molecular biologist who investigates how interactions between microorganisms and the immune system can lead to diverse outcomes such as pathogen clearance and protection or chronic inflammation and tissue damage.

Beckman scholars working with Professor Lijek will research how the sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis triggers immunopathology in the female genital tract of mice. She welcomes students interested in using molecular biology, cell culture, and mouse models to study the intersection of microbiology, immunology, and women’s health.

Essential courses: Biol-230: Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology

Su is a computer scientist with a background in medical robotics. Her work examines the interactions of robotic surgical tools and soft deformable tissue. Her focus is on computer vision, haptics, (medical) robotics, bilateral teleoperation, image segmentation and 3D reconstruction.

Beckman scholars working with Professor Su will explore methods to improve robotic teleoperation experiences by integrating computer vision and AI algorithms to provide vision-based haptic feedback.

Essential courses: Comsc-151, Comsc-205 (preferably also Comsc- 226 and/or Comsc-335, but not required)

Berry is a biochemist who explores mechanisms of gene regulation involving non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Her research uses the power of molecular genetics to discover and characterize RNA-protein interactions inside of E. coli cells.

Beckman scholars working with Professor Berry will develop and apply tools of bacterial molecular genetics to study the mechanisms of how small RNAs interact with their protein collaborators across diverse bacteria. including those that cause human disease.

Essential courses: Biol-230: Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Chem-202: Organic Chemistry I

Broaders is an organic chemist studying and developing the synthesis of responsive polymer biomaterials. His research aims to design, prepare, and understand new materials that respond to their environment.

Beckman scholars working with Professor Broaders will use techniques from organic, polymer, and materials chemistry to make modified biomaterials that respond to the chemical and biological nature of their environment. These materials may have applications as renewable plastics or as platforms for drug delivery.

Essential courses: Chem-202: Organic Chemistry I, Chem-302: Organic Chemistry II

McMenimen is a chemist interested in the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular neuroscience. Her research focuses on understanding protein-protein interactions, and how these interactions relate to protein folding, protein misfolding, and disease.

Beckman scholars working with Professor McMenimen will determine how the structure of heat shock proteins underlies their function by using chemical-scale studies. These may include mutational studies, developing synthetic peptides, qPCR analyses, in vitro and/or in vivo functional assays. Research students in the McMenimen lab will gain experience using many techniques to understand the interdisciplinary roles of heat shock proteins in regulating essential cellular functions.

Essential courses: Chem-202: Organic Chemistry I