Meet Your Host!
Kasha Patel
Kasha Patel returns after hosting the online chemistry game show "ChemClash: Rival Reactions" in 2021 with ACS. Kasha was named one of the “Best Undiscovered Comedians” in the U.S. by Thrillist magazine because of her unique voice that couples life as an Indian-American and her love for science. She produces science-themed comedy shows through her company DC Science Comedy. She gave a TEDx talk called “Sneaking Science into Stand-Up,” where she shares a series of surprising revelations pulled from her analysis of more than 500 of her stand-up jokes. She has been featured on NPR, BBC World, Travel Channel, The Science Channel, The Weather Channel, and hosted a miniseries on NASA TV.
Featuring…
Huiwang Ai
Professor of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
Fluorescence imaging typically involves physically invasive practices to capture biological processes, but Prof. Ai is developing less invasive techniques that will enable better images of the brain, cancer cells, and potentially any biological process to learn how they work. Prof. Ai's lab uses interdisciplinary approaches in biophysics, chemical biology, molecular engineering, and optical imaging to study and manipulate complex biological systems, with a focus on the development of novel molecular biosensors to peer into cells and organisms to dissect biological pathways related to redox signaling, metabolism, and neuronal activity.
Huiwang will introduce his work engineering proteins to create molecular biosensors that can be imaged to track biological processes in the body. He will answer your questions during the live Q&A!
Peter Shen
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry (Protein Homeostasis, Protein Structure, cryo-EM), The University of Utah
In order to understand molecular mechanisms, Peter Shen's lab specializes in cryo-electron microscopy to resolve high-resolution 3D structures. Cryo-EM is uniquely suited for working with structurally heterogeneous samples because a single sample often reveals a range of structural states that can then be pieced together to deduce their mechanisms. The ability to directly visualize these biological molecules will enable Prof. Shen and his lab to understand how multiple components come together to carry out their evolutionarily tuned functions.
Peter will introduce you to cryo-electron microscopy and how it works. After the event, visit a free site created by Prof. Shen and his colleagues, cryoem101.org, to learn the principles of cryo-EM through a media-rich approach featuring videos, animations, interactive simulations, and real data that cover relevant steps along a typical project workflow.
Enrique Gomez
Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, and Interim Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, The Pennsylvania State University
Prof. Gomez's research focuses on connecting the chemical structure of soft materials to macroscopic properties for the advancement of a sustainable society. As part of that work, his lab pushes the limits of X-ray scattering and electron microscopy to better learn how polymers assemble, how they structure, and how they respond to their environments. Some examples of active research areas at the Gomez group include the relationship between microstructure and electrical properties in the active layers of organic thin film transistors and photovoltaics and elucidating the key factors that govern aqueous transport through water filtration membranes.
