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Lab members:
Shahir Rizk, PhD
Shahir Rizk received his PhD from Duke University in 2006 where he studied protein engineering and the development of biosensors and multi-sensors. During his post doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago, Dr. Rizk developed methods for constructing conformational specific binding proteins. In 2012, he became the Director of External Programs at the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases at the University of Notre Dame, where he worked on understanding drug resistance in malaria. In 2015, he returned to his Alma Mater, Indiana University South Bend, where he is currently an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Dr. Rizk continues to work in the field of protein engineering. His teaching efforts have been recognized by the Indiana University Trustees’ Teaching Award in 2017. He was also selected as a Cottrell Scholar by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement in 2019.
Brody Deming
My name is Brody Deming. I am a 4th year Biochemistry major and I work as EMT. This is my third time being part of a research team. Last year I worked on Organic Chemistry research with Dr. Mcmillen. We worked on trying to find greener ways to oxidize alcohols to ketones. I have also worked as part of a research team at the hospital I am employed at. We worked to find data on ancillary findings of CT angiograms and this resulted in published work. For this time my part of the research team in the Rizk lab is to model what the polymerization of the Fab connected to Maltose Binding Protein would look like using a software called Chimera. I am excited to learn these new computational tools so that I can use them in the future.
Catherine Duselis
I’m Catherine. I’m a biochem major hoping to turn a life-long love science into a career. Recently, I became intrigued in the uses of proteins to treat human diseases. I’m very excited to work in Dr. Rizk’s lab because protein engineering is a fairly new discipline and there are so many ideas to explore. This thought-provoking lab work compensates for Dr. Rizk’s dad jokes. When I’m not focused on biochemistry, I like to read and take my dog for a jog.
Jordan Harriman
Jordan is currently a senior scheduled to graduate 2021 with a B.S. in Chemistry and a Minor in Mathematics. She is passionate about exploring the intersectionality between nature and humanity, specifically in biomimicry guiding material design. Her research dream is to be able to replace conventional plastics with environmentally friendly bio-based plastics. She found her passion after watching Neri Oxman’s Ted Talk: Design at the Intersection of Technology and Biology, 03/15/2015, and hasn’t looked back since. At Rizk lab, Jordan makes biosensors designed to detect environmental contaminants and chemicals like herbicide RoundUp. Prior to her work as a research scientist, she was employed as a student tutor in the fields of Mathematics and Chemistry, where she tutored Basic Math – Differential Equations, and General Chemistry – Organic Chemistry II. Currently she volunteers as a student Mentor as part of the Mentor Collective. She loves plants, animals, cooking, intentional design, and doing new work. She also likes teaching and sharing her passion for science.
Rose Inchauregui
My name is Rose Inchauregui and I am working towards a BS in biological sciences. My goal is to work in the medical field where I hope to create a bridge for future generations in my family to achieve a high education. This is my first experience working on a project to this level and am excited to learn fancy science terms beyond “photosynthesis”. My part in the Dr. Risk lab is to continuously test various antigen-binding fragments on glucose and find the ones that successfully bind without experiencing other issues.
Michael-Dean Laffin
I’m Michael Dean. I’ll be a fourth year biochemistry major this fall. I chose to pursue biochemistry because it connected beautifully to many of my other interests e.g., human body systems, medicine, chemistry. In my bouts of procrastination, I enjoy working on DIY projects, collecting insects, and playing a lot of online chess.
Fun fact: I own a polyatomic ion sheet signed by the members of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Former lab members:
Ashley Catanzarite
Joel Green
Audrey Doue
Christopher Stewart
Winnie Ihano
Maggie Fink
Mary Sobieralski
Michele Costantino
Pierre N’Guetta
Riley Bigelow