Jennifer Bridwell-Rabb
Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
B.S. Chemsitry, Biology, Mathematics, Central Michigan University
Ph.D. Chemistry, Texas A&M University
HHMI/NIH Postdoctoral Researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Also find our lab here: Program in Chemical Biology
Bin Li- Postdoctoral Researcher
In the Bridwell-Rabb lab, I will be working on how photosynthetic organisms utilize different strategies to catalyze isocyclic ring formation during chlorophyll biosynthesis, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. I will also study the molecular mechanism of regulatory control when these organisms are under oxidative stress.
I received my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Boston University in 2018. My graduate research in the Elliott Lab focused on the biochemical and biophysical characterization of 2-oxoacid:ferredoxin oxidoreductase and ferredoxin in CO2 metabolism. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading and going to museums and live performances.
Minshik Jo– Graduate Student in Chemistry
In the Bridwell-Rabb lab I am studying how cyanobacteria produce the sunscreen compound, scytonemin. This compound is synthesized by cyanobacteria in response to UV light exposure. I would like to understand how UV light is converted into a biological signal and used to up-regulate scytonemin synthesis. Employing X-ray crystallography, I am working to gain structural information of the proteins involved in scytonemin regulation and synthesis.
I received a B.S. degree in biochemistry from University of California, Los Angeles in 2016. During undergraduate, I worked on engineering enzymes to catalyze novel organic reactions in the Bowie lab. My hobbies are running and exercising at CCRB.
Jianxin Liu – Graduate Student in Chemistry
In the Bridwell-Rabb lab I am using a combination of techniques to understand how organisms employ metallo-proteins to modify the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll and bacteriocholorophyll. Interestingly, small modifications can have a large influence on the wavelength of light that a pigment absorbs.
I received my B.S. degree in Chemistry in the Zhiyuan Honor Program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China, 2017. My hobbies are drawing, playing basketball, cooking and board games.
Christopher Ohmer – Graduate Student in Chemical Biology
David Boggs– Graduate Student in Chemistry
Jiayi Tian– Graduate Student in Chemistry
Johnny Mendoza– Graduate Student in Chemistry
Gillian Wright
Gillian Wright is an undergraduate from Washington D.C. who is pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry, expected 2020. In her spare time she enjoys running and spending time with friends and family.
Alumni:
Robert Canfield
Robert Canfield is a junior undergraduate student who majors in biochemistry. After graduation he will apply to medical school. In the Bridwell-Rabb lab he investigates proteins involved in monitoring redox and helping cyanobacteria acclimate to different light environments. Robert is on the UM club track team and enjoys skiing.
Paul Potter
Paul Potter is an undergraduate in the College of Engineering pursuing a bachelors in Biomedical Engineering, with the goal of later pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. His hobbies include obsessing over his fountain pens, cooking and playing way too many videogames.
John Hartert
John Hartert is a senior undergraduate student who majors in biochemistry. After graduation he will pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry. In the Bridwell-Rabb lab he investigates the proteins responsible for far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP) in cyanobacteria. John thoroughly enjoys being outdoors and outdoor activities. With his spare time he likes to cook and write poetry.
