Anna Popova, Ph.D., Staff Scientist

I am particularly fond of rRNA modifications! All different kinds, found in bacteria, yeast, and human cells. Using modern mass spectrometry tools, I can identify and quantify relative abundance of RNA modifications in mature ribosomes and the intermediates. This quantitative approach proved to be effective in understanding modifications as part of the ribosome biogenesis process.

 Contact: popova@scripps.edu

Julia Polay, Lab Administrative Coordinator

While my own background stems from an education and career outside of the sciences, I have spent the better part of the last decade surrounded by chemists. My previous experiences have demanded acute organization, clear communication, and an eye for detail. Nothing gives me more fulfillment than supporting a team of great minds and helping them achieve results

Contact: jpolay@scripps.edu

Kai Sheng, B.S., Graduate Student

I was trained as a chemical biologist during my undergraduate research, developing methodology in protein modifications and its applications in therapeutics. I also had one year working with Floyd Romesberg, exploring the exciting semi-synthetic organism. Now I turned my research interest to ribosomes, one of the most beautiful, sophisticated and meanwhile complex systems in biology. I am now using the in vitro ribosome assembly assay to screen inhibitors which are specific for the assembling process.

Contact: ksheng@scripps.edu

Ajaatshatru Sisodia, M.S., Research Assistant

I earned my M.S. in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego, where I developed a strong interest in using quantitative and analytical approaches to study complex biological systems. In the Williamson Lab, my research focuses on cellular metabolism and RNA biology using mass spectrometry-based methods. I use targeted metabolomics, stable-isotope tracing, and biochemical approaches to investigate how nutrient availability and metabolic pathway alterations influence methionine metabolism and cellular physiology. I also contribute to projects involving RNA purification, characterization, and mass spectrometry-based analysis. Broadly, I am interested in applying analytical technologies to better understand metabolic and molecular mechanisms relevant to human disease.

Contact: ASisodia@scripps.edu

Lincoln Scott, Ph.D., Visiting Investigator

I am interested in the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of isotopically labeled nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. These compounds are used in a variety of NMR and mass spectrometry based biophysical studies of RNA and RNA-protein complexes. This work has led to the formation of Cassia LLC, a company that prepares isotopically labeled primary metabolites for the biophysical research community

Poppy Chen, Graduate Student

I graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry, where I began my research journey studying protein–drug conjugates designed to target ovarian cancer cells. I later joined the Williamson Lab as an intern, where my research interests shifted toward bacterial ribosome biogenesis and I worked on projects investigating ribosome assembly in E. coli. Now, as a Ph.D. student, I am continuing to explore bacterial ribosomes from a structural perspective, using super-resolution microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure and spatial organization of rRNA in E. coli.

Contact: sichen@scripps.edu

Ayushi Datey, Postdoctoral Associate

While I was trained in Structural Biology during my Ph.D., using Cryo-EM to understand eukaryotic translation initiation, currently I have shifted gear towards Cell biology. I am interested in studying inflammasome formation in the brain resident immune cells using MINFLUX nanoscopy along with suing proteomics to decipher the changes in the protein levels that occur during the process of inflammasome activation.

Contact: adatey@scripps.edu