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Our Faculty

Faculty Members

The majority of our Faculty Members reside within the Department of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Physics. They are all approved Principal Investigators (PIs) for the BMOL Program.

  • Allan Albig

    Allan Albig, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Molecular and Cell Biology
    • Vascular Biology (Extracellular Matrix and Matricellular Proteins)
    • Notch Signaling
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Molecular and Cell Biology
    • Vascular Biology (Extracellular Matrix and Matricellular Proteins)
    • Notch Signaling
  • Oliviero Andreussi

    Oliviero Andreussi, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor

    • Computation Chemistry
    • Multiscale Models and Software
    • Solvent Effects in Chemistry/Bio/Materials
    • Materials for Electrochemistry and Catalysis
    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
    • Computation Chemistry
    • Multiscale Models and Software
    • Solvent Effects in Chemistry/Bio/Materials
    • Materials for Electrochemistry and Catalysis
  • Sven Buerki Headshot

    Sven Buerki, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor

    • Research on Organismal Response to Climate Change
    • Molecular Mechanisms underpinning Phenotypic Plasticity
    • Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics
    • Plant Biotechnology
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Research on Organismal Response to Climate Change
    • Molecular Mechanisms underpinning Phenotypic Plasticity
    • Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics
    • Plant Biotechnology
  • Henry Charlier

    Henry Charlier, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor and Department Chair

    • Biochemistry
    • Enzymology
    • Protein Chemistry and Genetic Engineering Techniques
    • Medicinal Chemistry (Cancer Treatment and Drug Delivery)
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Enzymology
    • Protein Chemistry and Genetic Engineering Techniques
    • Medicinal Chemistry (Cancer Treatment and Drug Delivery)
  • Ken Cornell

    Ken Cornell, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Enzymology/Antibiotic & Antiparasitic Drug Development
    • Medical Devices for Chronic Wounds
    • Novel Materials with Antimicrobial Activity
    • Animal and Tissue Culture Models for Infectious Disease and Cancer
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Enzymology/Antibiotic & Antiparasitic Drug Development
    • Medical Devices for Chronic Wounds
    • Novel Materials with Antimicrobial Activity
    • Animal and Tissue Culture Models for Infectious Disease and Cancer
  • Photo of Dr. Lauren Faget, an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Boise State University

    Lauren Faget, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor

    • Motivation, reward and aversion neuronal pathways
    • Neuropsychiatric disorders (drug addiction, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety) and associated cellular and synaptic adaptations
    • Mouse model development (drug self-administration)
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Motivation, reward and aversion neuronal pathways
    • Neuropsychiatric disorders (drug addiction, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety) and associated cellular and synaptic adaptations
    • Mouse model development (drug self-administration)
  • Dr. Matthew Ferguson

    Matthew Ferguson, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor

    • Transcriptional Regulation and RNA Processing
    • Live Cell Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy
    • Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Living Genome
    • Molecular and Brownian Dynamics
    Department of Physics
    • Transcriptional Regulation and RNA Processing
    • Live Cell Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy
    • Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Living Genome
    • Molecular and Brownian Dynamics
  • Dr. Daniel Fologea

    Daniel Fologea, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Biophysics of Membrane Transport
    • Liposome Carriers For Medical Applications
    • Quantification of Membrane-Ligand Interactions
    • Microcontroller-Based Applications in Biophysics Teaching and Research
    Department of Physics
    • Biophysics of Membrane Transport
    • Liposome Carriers For Medical Applications
    • Quantification of Membrane-Ligand Interactions
    • Microcontroller-Based Applications in Biophysics Teaching and Research
  • Hanna

    Charles Hanna, Ph.D.

    Professor and Department Chair

    • Physical Interactions in Biophysical Systems
    • Quantum Effects in Low-Dimensional and Nanoscale Electron and Boson Systems
    • Bose-Einstein Condensates
    Department of Physics
    • Physical Interactions in Biophysical Systems
    • Quantum Effects in Low-Dimensional and Nanoscale Electron and Boson Systems
    • Bose-Einstein Condensates
  • Eric Hayden

    Eric J. Hayden, Ph.D.

    Professor and Department Chair

    Department of Biological Sciences
  • Dr. Jorcyk and Ken Tawara.

    Cheryl Jorcyk, Ph.D.

    Professor & Director of Clinical/Translational Research

    • Role of Oncostatin M (OSM) in Breast Cancer Metastasis
    • Cell Signaling (Inflammatory Cytokines) in Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
    • Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
    • Role of OSM in different breast cancer subtypes
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Role of Oncostatin M (OSM) in Breast Cancer Metastasis
    • Cell Signaling (Inflammatory Cytokines) in Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
    • Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
    • Role of OSM in different breast cancer subtypes
  • Byung Kim

    Byung I. Kim, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Biomolecular Dynamics using High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy
    • Single Molecular Biophysics and Scanning Probe Microscopy
    Department of Physics
    • Biomolecular Dynamics using High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy
    • Single Molecular Biophysics and Scanning Probe Microscopy
  • Laxman Mainali headshot

    Laxman Mainali, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor

    • Interaction of Alpha-Crystallin with Cholesterol Bilayer Domains in Cataract Formation
    • Eye Lens Hardening and Presbyopia Development
    • Cholesterol Membrane Domains and Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerosis
    • Structure, Dynamics, and Function of Model and Biological Membranes in Health and Disease
    • Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Atomic Force Microscopy Approaches
    Department of Physics
    • Interaction of Alpha-Crystallin with Cholesterol Bilayer Domains in Cataract Formation
    • Eye Lens Hardening and Presbyopia Development
    • Cholesterol Membrane Domains and Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerosis
    • Structure, Dynamics, and Function of Model and Biological Membranes in Health and Disease
    • Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Atomic Force Microscopy Approaches
  • Dr. Owen McDougal in the lab

    Owen McDougal, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Food and Dairy Chemistry
    • Forensic Science and Pharmacology
    • Emerging Technologies in Food Processing and Bioconversion
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Food and Dairy Chemistry
    • Forensic Science and Pharmacology
    • Emerging Technologies in Food Processing and Bioconversion
  • Konrad Meister

    Konrad Meister, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor

    • Protein Functions and Analytics
    • Ice-Binding Proteins, Extremophiles
    • Confocal Raman Microscopy of Living Cells
    • Cryopreservation, Biological Ice Nucleation
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Protein Functions and Analytics
    • Ice-Binding Proteins, Extremophiles
    • Confocal Raman Microscopy of Living Cells
    • Cryopreservation, Biological Ice Nucleation
  • Dr. Brad Morrison

    Brad Morrison, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Stem Cell Contributions to Parkinson’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease and Autophagy Dysfunction
    • Heightened Inflammatory Response in Parkinson’s Disease
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Stem Cell Contributions to Parkinson’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease and Autophagy Dysfunction
    • Heightened Inflammatory Response in Parkinson’s Disease
  • Nagarajan

    Rajesh Nagarajan, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial Virulence and Quorum Sensing
    • Enzymology/Antimicrobial Drug Discovery
    • Bioorganic Chemistry/Protein Biochemistry/Chemical Biology
    • Biomolecular NMR to Investigate Structure-Function Relationships in Proteins
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial Virulence and Quorum Sensing
    • Enzymology/Antimicrobial Drug Discovery
    • Bioorganic Chemistry/Protein Biochemistry/Chemical Biology
    • Biomolecular NMR to Investigate Structure-Function Relationships in Proteins
  • Javier Ochoa-Reparaz

    Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor

    • Mucosal Immunology and Clinical Microbiology
    • Study of Reciprocal Interaction between the Gut Microbiome and Neuroinflammatory Diseases
    • Immunomodulation Mediated by Gut Microbes and Microbiome-Modifying Treatments in CNS Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases (like Multiple Sclerosis)
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Mucosal Immunology and Clinical Microbiology
    • Study of Reciprocal Interaction between the Gut Microbiome and Neuroinflammatory Diseases
    • Immunomodulation Mediated by Gut Microbes and Microbiome-Modifying Treatments in CNS Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases (like Multiple Sclerosis)
  • Oxford

    Julia Oxford, Ph.D.

    Professor & Director of Biomolecular Research Institute

    • Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Mechanoreception in Bone
    • Regulation of Cell Signaling by Col11a1 during Craniofacial Development in the Zebrafish
    • Extracellular Matrix Involvement in Cancer Progression
    • Pancreatic Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Mechanoreception in Bone
    • Regulation of Cell Signaling by Col11a1 during Craniofacial Development in the Zebrafish
    • Extracellular Matrix Involvement in Cancer Progression
    • Pancreatic Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Tinker

    Juliette Tinker, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Bacterial AB5 Toxins as Immunomodulators and Vaccine Adjuvants
    • Staphylococcus Aureus Pathogenicity and Vaccine Development
    • Mechanisms of AB5 Toxin Cellular Activity
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Bacterial AB5 Toxins as Immunomodulators and Vaccine Adjuvants
    • Staphylococcus Aureus Pathogenicity and Vaccine Development
    • Mechanisms of AB5 Toxin Cellular Activity
  • Warner

    Don Warner, Ph.D.

    Professor

    • Synthesis of Small Molecules for Inhibition of Pro-Metastatic Cytokines (Synthetic Organic Chemistry)
    • Synthesis of Cytotoxic Anticancer Agents (Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development)
    • Mechanistic Studies of and Related to Anticancer Agents
    • Impact of Research Experiences on Student Learning (Chemical Education)
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    • Synthesis of Small Molecules for Inhibition of Pro-Metastatic Cytokines (Synthetic Organic Chemistry)
    • Synthesis of Cytotoxic Anticancer Agents (Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development)
    • Mechanistic Studies of and Related to Anticancer Agents
    • Impact of Research Experiences on Student Learning (Chemical Education)
  • Wingett

    Denise Wingett, Ph.D.

    Professor & Director of Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Programs

    • Immunology, Nanobiology, and Therapeutic Interventions for Human Disease
    • Asthma and Beta-Adrenergic Agonists
    • Nanotechnology and Biomedical Applications
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Immunology, Nanobiology, and Therapeutic Interventions for Human Disease
    • Asthma and Beta-Adrenergic Agonists
    • Nanotechnology and Biomedical Applications

Affiliate Faculty Members

We have a few approved faculty members that reside outside of the three major science departments. They are all approved Principal Investigators (PIs) for the BMOL Program.

  • Richard Beard

    Richard Beard, Ph.D.

    Assistant Research Professor

    • Microvascular Pathobiology
    • Cytokine-Induced Transcriptional Repression of Microvascular Endothelial Tight Junctions during Inflammatory Responses
    • The Influence of Matrix-Endothelial Interactions on Endothelial Cell-Cell Adhesion
    Department of Biological Sciences
    • Microvascular Pathobiology
    • Cytokine-Induced Transcriptional Repression of Microvascular Endothelial Tight Junctions during Inflammatory Responses
    • The Influence of Matrix-Endothelial Interactions on Endothelial Cell-Cell Adhesion
  • Boise State B

    Josh Eixenberger, Ph.D.

    Assistant Research Professor

    Research information coming soon!

    Department of Physics

    Research information coming soon!

  • David Estrada

    David Estrada, Ph.D.

    Professor & Associate Director of Center for Advanced Energy Studies

    • Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering
    • Novel Materials for Bioinks and Bioprinting
    • Cellular Interactions with Atomically Thin Materials
    • Solid-state Nanopores for Biomolecular Analysis
    Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering
    • Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering
    • Novel Materials for Bioinks and Bioprinting
    • Cellular Interactions with Atomically Thin Materials
    • Solid-state Nanopores for Biomolecular Analysis
  • Photo of Dr. Y. Hwan Kim, a Professor of Allied Health Sciences at Boise State University

    Y. Hwan Kim, Ph.D.

    Professor & Director of Neuroscience Program

    • Cellular Senescent Effects on Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Pathology
    • The Inhibition of SUMO1 Removal from α-synuclein as a Therapeutic Application for PD
    • Live Brain Imaging Techniques using Bioluminescence, MRI or PET
    • Developing Neuroprotective Compounds or Combination Therapy for PD
    • Identifying Biomarkers from Human PD Patients’ Saliva
    School of Allied Health Sciences
    • Cellular Senescent Effects on Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Pathology
    • The Inhibition of SUMO1 Removal from α-synuclein as a Therapeutic Application for PD
    • Live Brain Imaging Techniques using Bioluminescence, MRI or PET
    • Developing Neuroprotective Compounds or Combination Therapy for PD
    • Identifying Biomarkers from Human PD Patients’ Saliva
  • Jay Radke

    Jay Radke, Ph.D.

    Assistant Research Scientist

    • Adenovirus Lung Pathogenesis
    • Macrophage Inflammatory Responses
    • Improving the Syrian Hamster as a Model Organism through Transcriptome Bioinformatic Analysis and Antibody Development
    Boise VA Medical Center
    • Adenovirus Lung Pathogenesis
    • Macrophage Inflammatory Responses
    • Improving the Syrian Hamster as a Model Organism through Transcriptome Bioinformatic Analysis and Antibody Development
  • Gunes Uzer in office

    Gunes Uzer, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor

    • Function and Regulation of Mechanosensitive Mechanisms in Cells
    • Tissue Level Factors Interaction at the Cellular Level
    • Novel Clinical Applications related to Aging, Microgravity, and Other Musculoskeletal Conditions (Ex: Progeria)
    Department of Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering
    • Function and Regulation of Mechanosensitive Mechanisms in Cells
    • Tissue Level Factors Interaction at the Cellular Level
    • Novel Clinical Applications related to Aging, Microgravity, and Other Musculoskeletal Conditions (Ex: Progeria)
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