sklass@berkeley.edu
Education
Emory University, Atlanta GA, B.S
University of California Berkeley, Ph.D.
Research
With a chemistry and chemical biology background, my focus has been on chemically and genetically modifying natural protein structures for advanced material functions. During my Ph.D. in the Francis lab at UC Berkeley, I studied the impact of sequence modification on intrinsically disordered proteins’ self-assembling properties to develop a new class of bioderived and biodegradable protein-based materials with unique functions. In the Keasling lab, I will be working on engineering polyketide synthetases (PKSs) to bio-manufacture small molecule monomers that can be polymerized into recyclable 3D plastics. I am also eager to collaborate with scientists across campus with expertise in materials and theoretical computations to achieve this goal. I believe that the development of materials by microbiotic organisms will lead to a more sustainable future for our planet and enable the exploration of planets beyond our own. Additionally, I am committed to continued involvement in programs that help increase the participation and retention of underrepresented groups in undergraduate research and beyond.