People

Photo	Who	Bio
	Charles S. Craik, PhD Principal Investigator [email protected] Learn more about Charly	Our research interests focus on defining the roles and the mechanisms of enzymes and other challenging proteins in complex biological processes and on developing technologies to facilitate these studies. Current research in the lab is on the chemical biology of post translational modifying enzymes, receptors and membrane transporters. A particular emphasis of our work is on identifying the roles and regulating the activity of proteases and degradative enzyme complexes associated with infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. We are also developing novel methods to biophysically characterize challenging proteins as well as their complexes. These studies coupled with our global substrate profiling, antibody engineering and noninvasive imaging efforts are providing a better understanding of both the chemical make-up and the biological importance of these critical proteins to aid in the rapid detection, monitoring and control of disease.
	Dong-Hee Chung, PhD [email protected]	I received my BA in Chemistry from Kyung Hee University (Seoul, South Korea) and PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis. My PhD research focused on deciphering the mechanism of how substrate and reaction specificities are controlled in two classes of enzymes, chorismate utilizing enzymes and PLP-enzymes. I developed a novel multi-site-specific mutagenesis method to assist in a bioinformatics tool Janus, where key residues predicted to be important for substrate and reaction specificity were randomly mutated. Currently, I am interested in designing next generation phage displayed fab libraries for the rapid identification of high affinity Fabs against specific conformations of transmembrane proteins, proteases involved in various cancers, and DNA. With newly discovered Fabs, I hope to elucidate new fab-target interactions and further utilize them for various applications.
	Shih-Wei Chuo, PhD [email protected]	I received my PhD in Chemistry at the University of California, Davis with Prof. David B. Goodin. My PhD research involves the use of experimental biochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and computational techniques to explore the structure-function relationships of cytochromes P450. My research interests are understanding protein-protein and protein-molecule interactions. Currently, I am interested in using structure-guided design and antibody-based tools to expand the understanding of molecular processes in health and diseases.
	André Luiz Lourenço, PhD [email protected]	I received my BS in development biosciences and my Msc in pathology from the Fluminense Federal University (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). During my PhD I focused on the development of Restricted-Interaction Peptides (RIPs) for the non-invasive imaging of threatening blood clots in vivo through near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence and positron-emission tomography (PET). My research interests lie in the understanding of disease-associated proteolysis, particularly in cardiovascular diseases and cancer, to proper optimize our RIP technology toward clinical translation.
	Peter Rohweder, PhD [email protected]	I received my BA in Chemistry at The College of Wooster in 2016. My undergraduate research focused on the development of synthetic methods for the chiral control of the Ugi multicomponent reaction. In my graduate research, I am interested in the development of safer therapeutics for cancer. Specifically, I am using our recently developed MSP-MS technology for the global characterization of misregulated proteolysis in breast cancer to enable the development of protease activated prodrugs. Additionally, I am interested in using antibody engineering approaches for the development of safer immunotherapies.
	Nicholas Young [email protected]	I graduated from Penn State with a BS in Chemistry. While there, I worked with Dr. Joseph Cotruvo Jr. on the development of RNA-based fluorescent probes for the detection of transition metals in vivo. After receiving my BS, I worked as a Postbaccalaureate Fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health with Dr. Victor Pike. My research focused on the development of a ¹¹C-trifluoromethylation methodology with an application to developing radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET). For my graduate work in the Craik Lab, I am interested in the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutics utilizing disease-associated proteolysis.
	Kyle Anderson [email protected]	I received a BS in Biochemistry and a BS in Nanomedicine from Virginia Tech. During my undergraduate, I was involved in the preformulation group at AbbVie where I worked on characterizing the stability and biophysical properties of early-stage biologics. I also headed the qualification of a novel microfluidic tangential-flow filtration instrument for measuring viscosity-concentration profiles of biologics. For my graduate work in the Craik Lab, I plan to focus on the structural biology of antibody binding interactions and computational antibody design.
	Tyler Detomasi, PhD [email protected]	I dual majored in Biology and Professional Chemistry and received my BS from the University of Nevada, Reno. During my undergrad, I performed research in two groups. I first worked on a project using genetic analysis to study axon guidance in Drosophila and then studied the spectroscopic properties of nickel superoxide dismutase peptide-mimics. I completed my PhD in Chemistry in Michael Marletta’s laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. During my PhD, I worked with polysaccharide monooxygenases involved in fungal development and the V. cholerae lifecycle. I am currently interested in identifying and characterizing therapeutics for viral proteases.
	Md Saiful Islam Roney, PhD [email protected]	I received my Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Development Alternative, Bangladesh, and Master of Pharmacy from Korea University, South Korea. In 2022, I received my PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. My PhD focused on discovering cancer-specific serum autoantibody biomarkers and early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. I specifically focused on the development of a multi-isotype autoantibody biomarker panel to help detect CRC at earlier stages. I joined Craik Lab, UCSF in 2023 as a postdoctoral scholar. In the Craik lab, my postdoc training focuses on antibody therapeutics, such as bispecific antibodies, and Bi-specific T-cell Engagers (BiTEs) and their ability to kill KRAS G12C-mutant cell lines.
	Bryce Paolella [email protected]	I received my BS in Biology and BA in Chemistry from Niagara University. My undergraduate research focused on novel synthetic mechanisms affording dimerized amines. I transitioned to a biochemistry pursuit in industry, joining an immune-oncology start-up, Maverick Therapeutics, in 2018. At Maverick we developed the first conditionally active T-cell engaging solid tumor therapeutic to enter clinical trials, in the beginning of 2021. Maverick Therapeutics was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in April of 2021. My efforts at UCSF focus primarily on the KRas G12C project where the lab has shown that irreversible inhibitors to the oncogene, KRas G12C, are processed by the proteosome, loaded into MHC I complexes, trafficked through the Golgi apparatus, and displayed on the surface of cells. Antibodies are then generated against the cell surface tumor specific antigens to add durability to the remarkable targeted KRas inhibitors. My research efforts include protein expression-purification, chromatography, analytical assay development of MHC I complexes, and protein design.
	Dashiell Anderson [email protected]	I received my BS in Chemistry from Northeastern University. During my time at Northeastern, I worked as a COOP for Ra Pharma, FOG Pharma, and PepGen where I worked on synthesizing peptides. I enjoy synthesizing peptides by hand. I am interested in making peptides and increasing my understanding of how peptides can be used to help people.
	Deokhee Kang [email protected]	I received my BS and PhD in Chemistry from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea). During my graduate research, I focused on developing a yeast-based platform to discover cyclic peptide inhibitors. To accomplish this, I integrated three scientific methodologies: Yeast-two-hybrid for hit screening, split intein-mediated circular ligation for peptide cyclization within cells, and genetic code expansion to incorporate an unnatural amino acid with a non-covalent warhead moiety. Currently, my main interest lies in advancing the field of peptide therapeutics and diagnostics, particularly through the use of the RIP strategy.

Staff

Photo	Who	What I do
	Emma Gunderson [email protected]	I provide administrative support to the Craik Lab. I serve as an administrator in the department and conduct research in the Jacobson Lab.

Alumni

After leaving the Craik Lab, people continue their careers in research and education in a wide variety of ways. They continue learning, teaching, and doing science, often as leaders in their fields, whether in the Bay Area, California, the United States, or internationally. They take with them the many experiences they gathered during their time at UCSF.