ChenGroup

Josh completed his bachelor’s in microbiology from Michigan State University in 2015, and PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UMass Amherst in the Min Chen laboratory in 2024. At MSU he worked on alternative RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei with Dr. Donna Koslowsky and now Dr. Laura Kirby. After graduation he was employed at Pfizer’s Bioprocess Development Group (BDG) in Kalamazoo, Michigan for three years where he worked on a team focused on altering the regio- and stereo-selectivity of a bacterial hydroxylase in order to facilitate ‘greener’ production of steroid APIs. His current research applies protein engineering tools to biological nanopores, predominantly Outer Membrane Protein G (OmpG), to facilitate biosensor development and/or introduce novel functionality. He plans on returning to the industrial sector following his dissertation defense, where he will ideally continue to focus on protein engineering to generate novel function and/or products. Outside of research he enjoys watching movies (he has seen hundreds, can talk for hours…), trying to cook/bake new dishes, playing board games (favorites are Betrayal at the House on the Hill, Unearth, and Above and Below) and reading.  

Katie received her Bachelors of Science in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma in 2015. After graduation she worked as a laboratory technician in an academic medical research lab studying aberrant DNA methylation in Friedreich's ataxia, a neurodegenerative disease. She entered the UMass MCB program in 2019 and joined the Chen group where she currently works on the ClyA nanopore tweezer technique. Katie enjoys running, gardening, spending time with her cat, DIY home renovation projects and cooking spicy food in her spare time.

Crystal received a Bachelors in Physics from the University of Texas at El Paso. In Chen lab her
research focuses on using nanopores to study the interactions between the reading head and
ssDNA passing through the pore. In my free time I enjoy hiking, binge watching tv shows, and exploring new cities. 

Jackie completed her B.S. in Biochemistry at Lafayette College in 2021, where she studied the contribution of atmospheric aerosols to global climate change. She joined the Chen Group in 2022 and her work focuses on using the nanopore tweezer technique to research protein conformational dynamics and various protein interactions. Outside of lab, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing with her dog, and trying out new baking recipes. 

Lily is a Chemistry PhD student who joined the Chen group in December 2022.

Moly is a Chemistry PhD student who joined the Chen group in December 2022. 

David received his B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida State University, where he worked briefly on producing nanobodies to selectively purify microsporidian proteasomes from hosts. He joined the Chen lab in January 2023 as a joint PhD student with Jianhan Chen. When not in lab, he enjoys playing competitive Magic: the Gathering, cooking, and repairing vintage mechanical watches.  

 ​Shuang is from Harbin, China, and received his bachelor’s degree from Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin. Then he joined Moore lab in the Department of Food Science in UMass in Fall 2023. He is a joint student between Moore lab and Chen lab. His current main research focus is using nanopore technology in norovirus detection.

Susmita is a Chemistry PhD student who joined the Chen and Thai labs as a joint student in December 2024. 

Mitchell earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT graduating with honors. There he did organic chemistry research and worked on separating enantiomers using chiral auxiliaries. He also completed REU at the University of Connecticut in bioanalytical research. In the Chen lab,  he furthers research on the kinase protein.  In his free time, he watches movies (especially love the Coen Brothers), TV (It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia), play video games, play guitar, listen to music, and workout.

​The Chen lab is currently accepting graduate student applications.