Dr. Mitchell O’Connell, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD Program
Honors
Elmer H. Stotz Graduate Fellowship, University of Rochester (September 2017)
Magna Cum Laude graduate of University of St. Thomas (May 2016)
HSI-STEM Grant recipient, University of St. Thomas (September 2015)
J Sullivan School in Chemistry Scholarship recipient, University of St. Thomas (May 2015)
Welch Chemistry Scholar Scholarship recipient, University of St. Thomas (May 2014)
NSF S-STEM Scholarship recipient, San Jacinto College & University of St. Thomas (September 2011- September 2014)
Research Experience
June 2016-June 2017: Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Disease (Dr. Muthiah Kumaraswami; Houston Methodist Research Institute) Investigated structural and biochemical characterization of a key virulence regulator, RopB, from major human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. Studied the role of an iron efflux pump to Streptococcus pyogenes oxidative stress resistance and bacterial virulence. Performed biochemical and genetic characterization of mutants to validate structure-based findings.
January 2015-May 2016: Nanomaterial (Dr. Birgit Mellis; University of St. Thomas) Synthesized, characterized and utilized gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Studied lung cancer cell viability due to photothermal treatment with gold nanoparticles.
Current Research
My current research centers around molecular mechanisms of RNA-targeting type VI-B CRISPR-Cas systems and the development of associated RNA-targeting technological applications.
