Growing up as the son of an automotive mechanic, I have always been curious about the way things work. More specifically, I am interested in the way that energy is regulated, transferred, and used within complex systems. In this way, my doctoral research focused heavily on metabolic perturbations that impact mitochondrial respiratory function. As my work has evolved, I have become increasingly interested in the role of intrinsic energy storage and release in protein function. For instance, aside from preventing the formation and propagation of toxic intracellular amyloid, what roles do nucleation barriers serve for myriad proteins containing prion or prion-like domains? Do functional amyloids exist for key regulatory proteins containing prion or prion-like domains and is the energy released via nucleation associated with sustained and heritable intracellular changes? I began working with the Halfmann lab at Stowers to gain insight into these questions, which may ultimately shift the way we view prion forming proteins from toxic, negative byproducts, to highly regulated and functional switches.  

Ask me about: Mitochondria, metabolism, autophagy, proteostasis general physiology, heat stress, good snowboarding and hiking spots, and finance. 

Outside of the lab: I am an avid cyclist and exerciser. I also enjoy cooking, art, music, investing/finance, soccer, and Chiefs football!