Current Research – Nachtergaele Lab, Yale MCDB
My postdoctoral work focuses on RNA epitranscriptomic regulation in glioblastoma, with an emphasis on IDH-mutant and IDH–wild-type tumors. I am interested in how RNA modifications and metabolites such as R-2HG shape gene expression programs, differentiation, and therapy response.
- Mapping RNA modifications (m6A, m6Am, m7G and others) in glioma models.
- Understanding how RNA-modifying enzymes integrate metabolic cues and signaling pathways.
- Integrating wet-lab experiments with computational analysis (RNA-seq, CLIP-seq, direct RNA-seq).
Ph.D. Research – University of Oklahoma
During my Ph.D. I investigated the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, focusing on RND-family efflux pumps such as AcrAB–TolC and MexEF–OprN.
- Dissected conformational dynamics of the efflux adaptor AcrA and its regulation by Mg2+ and pH.
- Identified and characterized small-molecule efflux pump inhibitors that trap AcrA in non-productive states.
- Explored substrate specificity and transport pathways of MexF using mutagenesis, biochemical assays, and modeling.