Join us at our seminar series

April 18^th 
Gang Lin, PhD, Associate Professor

Our group focuses on drug discovery in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The UPS regulates key cellular processes through precise protein degradation. Drug discovery in the UPS is an active and promising field, focusing on both the human and pathogen proteasomes, as well as on components of the ubiquitination cascade, particularly E3 ligases in the field proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) to chemically knocking down disease-related proteins. Our group pioneered the development of the first generation of pathogen-selective proteasome inhibitors and has since advanced by creating inhibitors that specifically target human proteasomes for cancer and autoimmune therapies. Additionally, we have developed inhibitors targeting parasite proteasomes as potential antimalaria treatments. Finally, through fragment-based screening, we are developing inhibitors to disrupt the function of UBR5, an E3 ligase that is overexpressed in many tumors, contributing to poor prognosis and immune evasion, and ligands for recruiting UBR5 in PROTAC design. Dr. Lin obtained his PhD in medicinal chemistry in 1997 at West China University of Medical Science (Now Sichuan University). 

Presentation Title: Treating Microbial Infections with Species-selective Proteasome Inhibitors

April 25^th, 2025 
Amanda Cook, Associate Professor

Amanda began her higher education path at Saddleback College and then transferred to California State University Fullerton, where she graduated with a B.S. in chemistry in 2010. During her undergrad, she worked in the research lab of Christopher Hyland. Amanda then earned her PhD in 2015 from the University of Michigan working with Melanie Sanford. After post-doctoral work in Christophe Coperet’s group at ETH Zurich, she began her independent career at the University of Oregon in 2018, where she is currently an assistant professor.

Presentation Title: Transformations of Alkenes using Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nickel-Hydride Catalysts

May 2^nd, 2025 
Hoby Wedler

Dr. Hoby Wedler is a celebrated chemist and entrepreneur, noted for his innovative work at the nexus of flavor science, organic chemistry, and sensory perception. Holding a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Wedler has carved out a unique niche by focusing on how sensory experiences shape human emotions and reactions. His innovative organic chemistry and sensory research has led to pioneering developments in the way we understand and interact with our environment. Dr. Wedler’s work focuses on product development in the food and beverage industry as well as designing and performing unique multi-sensory experiences called Tasting in the Dark. Beyond his scientific achievements in organic chemistry and as an entrepreneur, Dr. Wedler is a passionate educator and advocate for inclusivity in science and business, inspiring a wide audience through lectures, workshops, and mentorship programs. His contributions to both academia and industry have not only advanced the field but also fostered a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of sensory perception.

Dr. Wedler developed Tasting in the Dark in 2011 with Francis Ford Coppola and has since expanded it to a wide variety of markets and industries around the world. His work was recognized when he was named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama for enhancing employment and education opportunities for people with disabilities. He has also been featured in Forbes Media’s 30 under 30 in the food and beverage industry, and as a 40 under 40 tastemaker by the Wine Enthusiast.

A co-founder of four companies, Dr. Wedler views entrepreneurship as a means to address challenges, solve complex problems, and improve the world.

Presentation Title: Making Chemistry Accessible One Atom at a Time: A Journey through a Graduate Career in Chemistry as a Blind Scientist

May 9^th, 2025 
Sachin Nedungadi, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Sachin Nedungadi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He received his BSc. in chemistry in 2007 and MSc. in chemistry in 2009 from Bangalore University, India, and his MS in chemistry in 2016 from the University of Colorado Boulder. He obtained his Ph.D. in chemical education in 2020 from the University of Northern Colorado. He subsequently held a postdoctoral position with the ACS Exams Institute at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and started his current faculty position at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2021. He has also served as the Associate Director of Research for the ACS Exams Institute since 2023. His research interests are focused on assessment research specifically aimed at understanding student difficulties with organic chemistry.   

Presentation Title: Obtaining Validity Evidence During the Development of Formative Assessments in Organic Chemistry

May 16^th, 2025 
Akhilesh Tripathi, PhD

Akhilesh Tripathi is XRD application Manager at Rigaku Americas, a Division of Rigaku Americas Holding  in The Woodlands Texas office. Akhilesh has worked in Rigaku for 20 years and has been involved for 30 years in materials characterization using powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction work. In these endeavors Akhilesh has used a number of X-ray techniques including Rietveld analysis, small angle X-ray scattering, thin film characterization and other quantitative phase analysis techniques.  He has an extensive experience in conducting XRD related training, both onsite and offsite. Akhilesh holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Material Science from Stony Brook University and a Post Doctorate from Texas A&M University. He has published over 28 papers in the peer reviewed journals on these subjects.

Presentation Title: TBD

May 23^rd, 2025 
Laurie Barge, Research Scientist

Dr. Laurie Barge is a Research Scientist in Astrobiology at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Barge co-leads the JPL Origins and Habitability Laboratory which studies how life can emerge and be detected in planetary environments; she is interested in hydrothermal vents as planetary analogs and investigates how prebiotic chemistry can emerge on rocky and ocean worlds. Barge is the HiRISE Investigation Scientist on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a Mars Science Laboratory Participating Scientist, and JPL’s Program Area Scientist for Ocean Worlds. Dr. Barge received her B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Villanova University and her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Southern California. After graduate school she was a Caltech postdoc and then a NASA Astrobiology Institute postdoctoral fellow. For her astrobiology research Barge has received the JPL Lew Allen Award, the NASA Early Career Public Achievement Medal, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Presentation Title: Searching for Signs of Life and its Origin on Other Planets