Associate Research Scientist
I am very happy to join in Mothes lab. I work on projects to understand the conformational changes of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein on the surface of virus particles by parallel cryo Electron Tomography (CryoET) and single molecule Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET). I am also working on COVID19 research to understand the structural conformational change of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. These projects will provide insights into not only basic science like how envelope mediates fusion of virus with host cell but also translational science aiding an vaccine and anti-retroviral therapies.Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine and Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Interests- Biophysics
- HIV
- Immune System
- Retroviridae
- SARS-CoV-2
Dr. Mothes studied chemistry (Diploma 1993) and received a Ph.D. in cell biology (Humboldt-University Berlin, 1998) for his studies on protein secretion and membrane protein integration at the endoplasmic reticulum under the mentorship of Dr. Tom Rapoport at Harvard Medical School. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. John Young and James Cunningham on retroviral entry before he started his own laboratory at Yale University in 2001. Dr. Mothes received Tenure in 2011, was promoted to Full Professor in 2016, and became the Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine in 2021.- Research Interests
- Diseases
I am a third year PhD candidate in the Mothes Lab. I have a B.A. in Genetics from Rutgers University where I worked in the lab of Dr. Monica Roth on the murine leukemia virus integrase protein. I now study the HIV envelope glycoprotein in the Mothes lab. My thesis marries static and dynamic methods to build a complete picture of the HIV fusion process. I am also the co-founder and Head Director of Yale Science Communication - A Graduate Student Organization. We as an organization aim to ignite scientific engagement across diverse communities and train effective science communicators. To this end, we give talks about science to the lay public at venues ranging from libraries to local bars across New Haven and beyond. As Head Director I have presented several talks through YSC, and now I guide new speakers through the process of creating their own talks. I am passionate about science communication and science education, and I plan to pursue this career path after I graduate with my doctoral degree. - I am happy to be in the Mothes Lab and work on visualizing viral particles capture and spread in vivo. I am interested in studying cell types and molecular mechanisms involved in these events.
Research Scientist
After spending much of the time studying TRIM proteins in vitro, I have shifted my research focus to visualize critical aspects of retroviral pathogenesis and the ensuing host response, such as restriction, in vivo in mouse and humanized mouse models using intravital imaging techniques.
- Current Lab Members
- Past Lab Members
Graduate Student in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis