Fuller Lab
The Fuller lab has continued to grow in new directions in the last year.
Our research continues to focus on the synthesis and study of peptidomimetics, including peptoids and related molecules. As we’ve made some more interesting molecules, we’ve been engaging in new collaborations with other SCU faculty to study them from different angles. Vikrum Jain (’16) is working in the Fuller lab and with some faculty in the Department of Biology on a project to evaluate the potential inhibition of bacterial growth of the compounds we’ve made in the Fuller lab and in the CHEM33 majors organic chemistry lab class. We’re also engaged in collaborations with Prof. Prashanth Asuri in the bioengineering department. Jack Huber (’17) is evaluating how peptoid structure is influenced by macromolecules that simulate a cellular environment. Lastly, we’re excited to be learning more about our peptoids through our collaboration with Prof. Grace Stokes in our own department as she gets her research program off the ground.
The rest of the research team is moving things forward at a great pace too. Four students worked full time in the lab for the summer: Alberto Ortega (’15), Aanchal Mohan (’16), Vikrum Jain (’16) and Jack Huber (’17). The five of us traveled to Berkeley, CA this August for the Peptoid Summit, a conference that highlights diverse research on peptoids. I presented a talk about some of our recent results, and the students presented a poster to this highly engaged audience. This academic year, Kyra McComas (’16) is continuing her work in the lab, and two new juniors, Caroline Bosmajian and Daniel Tiano have joined us. Both Vik and Jack also deserve recognition for winning some competitive awards on campus to support their work in our lab; Vik is a DeNardo Science Scholar, and Jack won the Johnson Leadership Stipend.
Although it’s always hard to say goodbye to the graduating seniors, it’s great to see them move deservedly to new and exciting frontiers. Allyson Koh is applying to medical schools and working in Oregon, and Alberto Ortega got a job at a biotech company in Silicon Valley. Greg Gate (’14) also left his technician position in the lab to start grad school at UCSB.
News from Fuller lab alumni: Paul Bruno (’10) became the first Fuller lab alumnus to earn his Ph.D. Paul finished his degree at University of Michigan this year!
We’re looking forward to another fun and productive year in 2016!