Danielle Bautista
5th Year Graduate Student, Chemistry Department
Hometown: Waynesboro, PA
M.A. in Chemistry: Johns Hopkins University, 2019
B.S. in Chemistry: Duquesne University, 2017
Fun Fact: I have a border collie named Lachlan who loves exercise with me!
Dani is studying the pairing of nitroaromatic compounds to nitroreductase enzymes for the generation of electrophilic intermediates known as aza-quinone methides (aQMs). Using both synthetic and enzymatic methodology she is investigating the potential of these compounds to work as biological alkylators. Results of these studies may be used in the design of novel motifs used in drug design and site specific modification.
Harrison (Harry) Greenberg
4th Year Graduate Student, CBI Program
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
M.S. in Chemical Biology: Johns Hopkins University, 2020
B.S. in Biochemistry: University of Delaware, 2017
Fun fact: I can start a friction fire in under 6 seconds (bow drill)!
Harry is studying the reversible chemistry of quinone methides. He is examining the interactions between molecular machines and reversibly cross-linked DNA.
Daniel Lemen
4th Year Graduate Student, Chemistry Department
Hometown: Frederick, MD
M.A. in Chemistry: Johns Hopkins University, 2020
B.A. in Biochemistry: Messiah University, 2018
B.A. in Spanish: Messiah University, 2018
Daniel is studying whether substrate structure is able to alter the redox chemistry of iodotyrosine deiodinase (IYD). He is also working to elucidate IYD’s mechanism of catalysis by synthesizing substrate analogues.
Stella Matutina Ikuzwe
2nd Year Graduate Student, Chemistry Department
Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
B.A. in Chemistry with Biochemistry Emphasis: Macalester College, 2020
Stella is studying the role of iodotyrosine deiodinase (IYD) in other invertebrates to see if there is also a correlation between dehalogenation and fertility as the one found in drosophila.