Department of Chemistry
University of Virginia
Biophysical Chemistry
Membrane Protein - Lipid Interactions
Our Team.
Principal 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. Linda Columbus
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Weihua Qiu
Research Scientist
Ph. D in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin (2010)
Angie Lamboy
Lab Specialist Intermediate
BS: Biology, University of Puerto Rico (2022)
Jackson Bartholomew-Schoch
Graduate Student
BS: Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry
BS: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Appalachian State University (2022)
Juaneisha Finnie
Graduate Student
BA: Biochemistry
Minors in legal studies and psychology, University of Mississippi (2021)
Aninda Dutta
Graduate Student
Integrated BS-MS: Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (2021)
Kevin Nguyễn
Graduate Student
Postbaccalaureate Research: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBS: Biology; Certificate: Mathematics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021)
Monika Wieliniec
Graduate Student
Long-cycle Master's degree program (5 years, no Bachelor): Biophysics, Jagiellonian University (2022)
Kathleen "Katie Beth" Oliver
Graduate Student
BS: Chemistry & Biochemistry
Minor in forensic studies
Cumberland University (2024)
Jennie Nguyen
Graduate Student
BS: Chemistry (High Distinction Thesis)
Minor: Biological Science
University of Nebraska - Lincoln (2024)
Junyi Yao
Graduate Student
Postbaccalaureate Research: Southern University of Science and Technology
BMed: Pharmacy (Pharmacology), Yantai University (2021)
Laura Reus
Graduate Student
BS: Biochemistry
BS: Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park (2024)
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Ramy Hassan
Graduate Student
BS: Pharmaceutical Science, Ain Shams University (2017)
Nathan Feinberg
Undergraduate Student
Studying Biochemistry and Latin
Previous Lab Members
DR. MATT NECELIS
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2026)
BS: Biochemistry, Rowan University (2019)
DR. CONNOR MCDERMOTT
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD: Chemistry, University of Virginia (2026)
BS: Chemistry with Departmental Honors; BS: Biological Sciences with a concentration in Physiology and Neurobiology
BA: French Language and Culture
Current: Pursuing academic career focused on membrane protein biophysics.
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)
Current: Helix Biostructures
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)
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)