Graduate Students
Emily R. Sekera
Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology
Degree/Major/Year: B.S. / Chemistry / 2015
Research: I perform experiments using mass spectrometry, specifically FT-ICR MS, to discover and validate potential autism biomarkers. This involves screening of human urine samples as well as fecal material from animal models and developing quantitative approaches such as isotopic labeling, to determine the levels of metabolites of interest.
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I have also started work on a few side projects within the lab. In one project I am utilizing ESI FTMS (both FT-ICR and QExactive Focus) in conjunction with ECD fragmentation to properly sequence glucokinase and find the active binding sites of both sugar and ATP. In another project I work with Luke on utilizing MALDI Imaging on our FT-ICR to look at the spinal cords of mice to determine changes in lipid content to determine the efficacy of drugs for multiple sclerosis.
emilysek@buffalo.edu
Kevin Zemaitis
Undergraduate Institution: University at Buffalo
Degree/Major/Year: B.A. / Chemistry and Psychology / 2016
Research: My research interest encompasses the field of metabolomics with specific applications to Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry. We are using modified electrospray ionization sources in applications for ambient leaf spray of soybean plant components as an alternative to labor intensive extractions.
kevinzem@buffalo.edu
Alexandra Izydorczak
Undergraduate Institution: St. Bonaventure University
Degree/Major/Year: B.S./Chemistry/2019
Research: My research involves the utility of Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) to elucidate neuropeptide differences in brains of rats with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) compared to controls.
aizydorc@buffalo.edu
Erin Tiede
Undergraduate Institution: St. John Fisher
Degree/Major/Year: B.S./Chemistry/2019
Research: My research is directed toward the discovery and validation of biomarkers of autism, and is currently centered on the validation of stercobilin as a putative autism biomarker in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) rats.
erintied@buffalo.edu
Connor Gould
Undergraduate Institution: D'Youville College
Degree/Major/Year: B.S./Chemistry/2019
Research: My research is in the relatively young field of paleoproteomics, where we use enzymatic digestion and mass spectrometry to map protein sequence information from ancient proteins, and use sequence homology with modern organisms to identify potential protein functionality.
cgould@buffalo.edu