The Columbus Lab
at the University of Virginia
Current Lab Members
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DR. LINDA COLUMBUS
Principle Investigator (PI)
Postdoctoral Research: The Scripps Research Institute
Advisors: Kurt Wuthrich and Scott Lesley
PhD: The University of California Los Angeles (2001)
Advisor: Wayne Hubbell
BA, high honors: Smith College (1996)
Advisor: David Bickar
Professor Columbus is interested in understanding membrane biophysics to investigate the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins involved in bacterial pathogenesis.
DR. MEAGAN BELCHER DUFRISNE
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Physiology, Columbia University (2018)
Advisor: Filippo Mancia
BS: Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Reno (2011)
BA: Mathematics, University of Nevada, Reno (2011)
Meagan’s research aims to identify the molecular determinants of the interactions between Opa proteins and their receptors in vitro, in order to gain a better understanding of bacterial pathogen – host interactions.
DR. CHRISTOPHER BARYIAMES
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Chemistry, Univ. Texas at Austin (2021)
Advisor: Carlos Baiz
BS: Chemistry, Providence College (2016)
Chris' research focuses on measuring the driving forces that drive lipid-lipid and lipid - protein interactions.
JACKSON BARTHOLOMEW-SCHOCH
Graduate Student
BS: Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry
BS: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Appalachian State University (2022)
Jackson is currently working on LspA and lipid interactions.
JUANEISHA FINNIE
Graduate Student
BA: Biochemistry (2023)
Minors in legal studies and psychology
Juaneisha is working on the Opa project.
CONNOR McDERMOTT
Graduate Student
BA: French Language and Culture, BS: Biology with a concentration in Physiology and Neurobiology, BS: Chemistry, University of Maryland at College Park (2020)
Connor is currently working on the Opa project.
MATT NECELIS
Graduate Student
BS: Biochemistry, Rowan University (2019)
Matt is currently working on the bicelle project.
DR. MEAGAN BELCHER DUFRISNE
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Physiology, Columbia University (2018)
Advisor: Filippo Mancia
BS: Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Reno (2011)
BA: Mathematics, University of Nevada, Reno (2011)
Meagan’s research aims to identify the molecular determinants of the interactions between Opa proteins and their receptors in vitro, in order to gain a better understanding of bacterial pathogen – host interactions.
JACKSON BARTHOLOMEW-SCHOCH
Graduate Student
BS: Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry
BS: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Appalachian State University (2022)
Jackson is currently working on LspA and lipid interactions.
JUANEISHA FINNIE
Graduate Student
BA: Biochemistry
Minors in legal studies and psychology, Univeristy of Mississippi (2021)
Juaneisha is working on the Opa project.
CONNOR McDERMOTT
Graduate Student
BA: French Language and Culture, BS: Biology with a concentration in Physiology and Neurobiology, BS: Chemistry, University of Maryland at College Park (2020)
Connor is currently working on the Opa project.
MATT NECELIS
Graduate Student
BS: Biochemistry, Rowan University (2019)
Matt is currently working on the bicelle project.
NICOLLE LAÍNES
Undergraduate Student
Majoring in Biochemistry and Physics at UVA
Nicolle is working on the impact of the lipid environment on LeuT conformtaional states and function.
Previous Lab Members
DR. CHRISTOPHER BARYIAMES
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Chemistry, Univ. Texas at Austin (2021)
Advisor: Carlos Baiz
BS: Chemistry, Providence College (2016)
Current: Project Associate UVA Cancer Center
DR. TRACY CALDWELL
Graduate Student
PhD: Biophysics, University of Virginia (2020)
BS: Biophysical Chemistry, James Madison
University (2015)
Current: Pursuing a career in occupational therapy
DR. NICOLE SWOPE
Graduate Student
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2020)
BS: Biochemistry, Saginaw Valley State University (2015)
Current: Research Scientist at Viela Bio
DR. STEVEN KELLER
Graduate Student
PhD: Biophysics, University of Virginia (2019)
BS: Physics, Davidson University (2014)
Current: PostDoc at University of Pennsylvania
DR. JASON KUHN
Graduate Student and PostDoc
PhD: Biophysics, University of Virginia (2018)
BS: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2010)
Current: PostDoc at Oxford Brooks University
DR. JEN MARTIN
Graduate Student and PostDoc
Postdoctoral Fellow: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2016-2019)
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2016)
BS: Biology, Penn State Berks County (2011)
Current: Assistant Professor at Stockton University
DR. MARISSA KIEBER
Graduate Student
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2018)
BS: Chemistry, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (2012)
Current: Pharmaceutical Sciences Specialist at
Johnson & Johnson
DR. ASTON BROCK
Graduate Student
Clinical Chemistry Fellow, University of Virginia (2019)
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2016)
BS: Chemistry, Winthrop University (2011)
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DR. RYAN LO
Graduate Student
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2014)
BS: Chemistry, Franklin and Marshall College (2009)
Current: Senior Research Scientist at Charles River Laboratories
DR. RYAN OLIVER
Graduate Student
PostDoc: TR-SAS, Lund University (2019)
PostDoc: Bio-SANS, Oak Ridge National Lab (2018)
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2013)
MS: Chemistry, University of University of North Carolina (2010)
BS: Chemistry, University of North Carolina (2005)
DR. DAN FOX
Graduate Student
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2013)
BS: Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh (2007)
Current: Senior Analytical Chemist at Albemarle Corporation
DR. BRETT KRONCKE
Graduate Student
PostDoc: Vanderbilt University (2012)
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2012)
BS: Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007)
Current: Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University
DR. ALISON DEWALD
Graduate Student
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2012)
M.Ed: Educational Psychology, Temple University (2006)
BS: Chemistry, Penn State University (2001)
Current: Associate Professor at Salisbury University
ETHAN SESCO
Graduate Student
MS: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2022)
BS: Chemistry, Wake Forest (2020)
SPENCER GREWE
Graduate Student
MA: Chemistry, University of Virginia
BS: Biophysical Chemistry, James Madison
University (2019)