Mobina is working on developing comb-shaped polymer-peptide conjugates with antimicrobial activities. Her research focuses on how the conjugates' peptide density and molecular weight affect their performance and stability. Outside of lab, Mobina enjoys cooking, watching movies, and discovering new places in the city.

Mark's research focuses on developing drug delivery strategies for therapeutic peptides to increase their in vivo stability. Specifically, Mark uses exosomes, polyelectrolyte complexes and polymer-metal organic framework hydrogels to encapsulate therapeutic peptide cargo. Outside of lab, Mark enjoys playing guitar and coaching boys lacrosse for Albemarle High School.

Kelly is interested in developing novel cell culture systems for the advancement of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Specifically, she studies cellular responses to thermoresponsive polymeric culture substrates for biomanufacturing engineered skeletal muscle tissue. When not in lab, Kelly enjoys gardening, visiting wineries and art museums, crocheting, and barre.

Zixian is working on antimicrobial peptide-polymer conjugates to improve the proteolytic stability and reduce cytotoxicity while maintaining antibacterial activity of the peptides. She is interested in engineering the molecular structures (e.g., linear, star-shaped, comb-like, and hyperbranched) of the conjugates to study the architectural effects on activity, stability, and toxicity. Zixian is working with Chris to study the kinetics of polymerization to prepare comb-like conjugates. Outside of lab, she loves movies, music, and literature.

Israt is developing hydrogels with controllable thermomechanical properties and proteolytic degradability. In particular, she works on designing peptide stereocomplexes as dynamic cross-linkers in polymeric hydrogels. In her free time, she enjoys movies, painting, and crafting. 

Vince is designing biomaterials to target and sequester toxic peptides implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using stereochemistry-driven and electrostatic interactions. Specifically, he uses characterization techniques to explore the interactions between peptides and optimize the design of biomaterials.  Outside of lab, Vince enjoys playing disc golf and ultimate frisbee, hiking, listening to music, and reading.

Darren's research focuses on designing hydrogels with controllable mechanical properties and proteolytic degradability. Specifically, he is investigating peptide stereochemical-directed interactions to help establish design rules for using these molecules as dynamic cross-linkers in polymeric hydrogels. Outside of lab, Darren enjoys cooking, golf, and hiking.

Hadley is working on designing D-peptides to capture L-peptides for therapeutic separation applications. More specifically, she is investigating the stereochemistry-driven interactions that occur between D- and L- peptides, and how they can be applied to separations. Outside of lab, Hadley enjoys reading, cooking, going for walks, and trying new coffee shops. 

Clare conducts experiments and molecular dynamic simulations to understand stereochemically-driven assembly of peptides. Around SEAS she also is a mentor in SURE (Starting and Undergraduate Research Experience) and a member of Theta Tau. For fun she enjoys trying new crafts and hiking.

Jack's research focuses on the analysis of various methods for encapsulation and controlled release of therapeutic peptide cargo. Outside of the lab, Jack enjoys skateboarding, yoga, and art.

Mackenzie Klepsig

gjm8rk [at] virginia [dot] edu

• UVA Chemical Engineering Class of 2025

Keelin Reilly

ptk8gg [at] virginia.edu

• UVA Biomedical Engineering Class of 2025