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 [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.
	Emily Connelly [email protected]	I graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in Bioengineering. My previous research experiences involved elucidating differentiation pathways in adult neural stem cells at UC Berkeley and developing antivirals for chronic Hepatitis B infections at Assembly Biosciences. My graduate work in the Craik lab focuses on host-pathogen interactions in viral systems and cell-based assay development.
	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 [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 [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.
	Gina Zhu [email protected]	I graduated with a BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology from Yale University. There, I worked at the Yale Stem Cell Center with Dr. Haifan Lin to investigate how the Piwi protein regulates proper stem cell proliferation and differentiation in Drosophila. After receiving my BS, I worked as a Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow at the SENS Research Foundation with Dr. Amit Sharma. I am Dr. Kirkwood’s clinical research coordinator for her studies examining pancreatic cysts. I enroll patients in PANC Cyst, an e-registry for patients with pancreatic cysts, as well as a national ECOG-ACRIN clinical trial to examine surveillance strategies for patients with pancreatic cysts. I collect pancreatic cyst fluid from patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasounds and surgeries at UCSF to be used for protease research by various members of the Craik Lab.

Staff

Photo	Who
	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.