Faculty
The training and teaching faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology represent a wide array of research interests.
Our faculty are dedicated to providing top-notch advising and mentorship to our trainees so they are well-equipped to enter successful careers in research, medicine and public health.
Our Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program includes over 30 faculty outside of our Department, in departments across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine. Visit our PhD program webpage for a full list of the PhD program faculty.
Scott Bailey, PhD, explores the structure and function of the molecular mechanisms that cells use to interact with and modify DNA and RNA, focusing on CRISPR systems.
Randy Bryant, PhD, studied mechanistic enzymology and now trains future scientists and public health leaders in the classroom, teaching biochemistry, and mentoring students.
Danfeng Cai, PhD, combines advanced microscopy, genomics, and proteomics to tease out the functions of protein condensates in cells, with a focus on cancer.
Val Culotta, PhD, examines the role of free radicals and micronutrients in the battle between host and pathogen during fungal infections.
Brittany Jenkins-Lord, PhD, MPH ’20, MS, is a molecular cancer biologist who investigates the relationships between socio-environmental risk factors and tumor biology in diverse populations.
Jennifer Kavran, PhD, MS, MPhil, is a biophysicist who investigates how cells communicate with each other and their environment.
Anthony K. L. Leung, PhD, MBioch, is a molecular biologist who studies how cellular regulation of RNA impacts cancer, neurodegeneration, and virus infection.
Michael Matunis, PhD, studies how protein modification by SUMO—the small ubiquitin-related modifier—drives changes in key cellular pathways from stress response to DNA repair.