Cancer Chemical Biology Major Students

Below are the Cancer Chemical Biology students who are a part of the larger integrated PhD Program.

Angelo

My lab combines the principles of biochemistry, protein engineering, and structural biology to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that govern cancer origination, progression, and perpetuation. My research focuses on: (1) mechanistically understanding how ubiquitin and structurally related ubiquitin-like (UBLs) protein modifications regulate the function, conformation, and activity of their targets, and (2) how alterations and crosstalk between ubiquitin and UBL pathways disrupt cellular homeostasis leading to oncogenic transformation.

Major Professor: Jennifer Binning, PhD

Christopher

Our lab employs a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the repertoire of antigens presented by Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC-I and MHC-II). By leveraging proprietary methods across diverse cancer models, we aim to advance the emerging field of immunopeptidomics. My current work seeks to bridge targeted therapies with immunotherapy by investigating how drug treatment influences antigen presentation to reveal novel targets for precision immunotherapies.

Major Professor: Alex Jaeger, PhD  

Chloe

Major Professor: Rotating

Liznair

Main research interests are in developing bio-orthogonal compounds, small molecules, and PROTAC degraders that aid in specifically and selectively targeting relevant proteins in cancer.

Major Professor: Andrii Monastyrskyi, PhD  

Manuel 

My current research project in the Monastyrskyi lab focuses on the design and synthesis of small molecules that function both as CDK12/13 inhibitors and as molecular glue degraders of Cyclin K, for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. The goal is to optimize the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds while maintaining potent and selective target engagement. This work is guided by structure-based drug design, leveraging co-crystal structures of CDK12 solved by our group, and involves iterative compound optimization through synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and cell-based assays.

Major Professor: Andrii Monastyrskyi, PhD  

Nada

My lab uses the tools of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and chemical biology to develop small molecules for studying and modulating therapeutically relevant cancer targets. My research is focused on the development of selective CDK11 inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer.

Major Professor: Andrii Monastyrskyi, PhD

Phynx Leigh  

Major Professor: Rotating

Robert

Our lab combines biochemistry, protein engineering, and structural biology principles to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that govern cancer origination, progression, and perpetuation. My research focuses on: (1) mechanistically understanding human deglycation enzymes regulate the function and activity of their targets and (2) how glycation alters or changes other protein modifications and the implications of these disturbances on oncogenic transformation.

Major Professor:  Jennifer Binning, PhD

Sean

Research Interests – Main focus is in drug discovery, and the development of small molecules for studying and modulating therapeutically relevant cancer targets.

Major Professor: Andrii Monastyrskyi, PhD

Shafiya Kausar  

Major Professor: Rotating

Sura-Attha

Our lab utilizes a multi-omics approach to study AML, MPN and MDS. My current work focuses on defining the roles of oncogenes and epigenetic regulators in the pathogenesis of MDS/MPN-U, a myeloid disorder with no available FDA-approved treatment. 

Major Professor: Seongseok Yun, MD, PhD

Yvonne

My project focuses on the methodology and asymmetric synthesis of underrepresented sulfur functional groups for potential use in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

Major Professor: Justin Lopchuk, PhD