Rick Russell, Ph.D.
Principle Investigator
Rick is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. He earned his PhD at Johns Hopkins in 1997 and was a postdoctoral fellow with Dan Herschlag at Stanford University until he started as an Assistant Professor at UT Austin in 2002. His interests are centered on understanding how RNAs and proteins leverage their basic structural and energetic properties to perform the complex and beautiful processes that underlie life. When he is not in his office or the lab, Rick is usually somewhere moving on a trail, a road, or occasionally in a pool or other body of water.
Pilar Tijerina
Research Scientist
Pilar is a Research Scientist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. She earned her MS at Johns Hopkins in 1996 and worked in R&D at Genecor (Palo Alto) and Applied Molecular Evolution (San Diego) until she started as a Research Scientist at UT Austin in 2002. Since then, she’s been interested in understanding how DEAD-box RNA helicases manipulate RNA structures using biochemical, biophysical, and genetic approaches. Outside of the lab, she loves spending time with her family – especially with her awesome daughters – and staying active so she can keep up with her kids – especially at the Grand Canyon.
Linh Nguyen
Graduate Student
Description
Sarah Nielson
Graduate student
Sarah Nielson is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry. Previously, she earned her B.S. at Utah State University, where she researched how oligomerization impacted protein arginine methyltransferase 1 activity as well as how different cannabinoid-inspired inhibitors impaired SARS-CoV-2 2′-O-methyltransferase. Sarah’s current research utilizes kinetic and structural approaches to analyze how nucleic acid energetics influence conformational rearrangements of CRISPR-Cas12a. In her free time, Sarah likes to bake, watch movies with her husband, and learn Spanish.
Xingxing Zhao
Graduate Student
Description
Cadalyn Burris
Undergraduate Student
Cadalyn is currently a rising sophomore pursuing a B.S in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Plan II at the University of Texas at Austin. Cadalyn’s current research aims to determine the relative binding rates of Cas12a to different intermediates of DNA cleavage. Outside of the lab, Cadalyn enjoys playing piano and cello, reading sci-fi and fantasy books, and drawing.
Kyle Chang
Undergraduate Student
Kyle is currently a junior pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Statistics & Data Science at The University of Texas at Austin. His current research aims to characterize the energetics of CRISPR-Cas12a—DNA interactions. Outside of the lab, Kyle enjoys playing the piano and organ, working out, exploring new recipes, and crashing on his nice, cozy bed after a long day at the lab.
Xiya Chen
Undergraduate Student
Xiya is currently a junior pursuing a B.S in Biochemistry with a certificate in Computer Science at The University of Texas at Austin. Her current research is identifying Cas12a specificity through competitive assays, with the goal of better understanding CRISPR-based systems. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to concerts, exploring new places across the United States, watching romantic dramas, and sleeping whenever she gets the chance.
Monique Chuon
Undergraduate Student
Monique is currently a senior pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology and Infectious Disease at The University of Texas at Austin. Her current research aims to assess and understand the binding affinity of CRISPR-Cas12a. Outside the lab, Monique enjoys cooking, baking, crocheting, and cozy game nights with a cup of jasmine tea.
Davina Obinyan
Undergraduate Student
Davina is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin. Her current research is focused on specificity—the propensity of CRISPR-Cas12a to select against mismatched DNA sequences. Outside of the lab, Davina likes to paint realist and surrealist-styled portraits, cook dishes from around the world, and watch TV shows.
Kaitlyn Rodriguez
Undergraduate Student
Kaitlyn is currently a senior pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions at The University of Texas at Austin. Her current research aims to probe the reversibility of CRISPR-Cas12a’s R-loop. Outside of the lab, Kaitlyn enjoys learning about Latinx culture/history, painting, and watching classic movies.
Brianna Yu
Undergraduate Student
Brianna is currently a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Statistics & Data Science at The University of Texas at Austin. Her current research seeks to isolate and understand beneficial mutations in CRISPR-AsCas12a. In her free time, Brianna enjoys drawing, singing, cooking, playing games, and cleaning her apartment.