The University of Chicago's Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Ph.D. Program is an exceptional and prestigious program that will provide me the opportunity to broaden my skills and intellect within biochemical research fields. This top-ranked program is an ideal fit for me as it contains the biological chemistry and biophysical that I aspire to focus on during my graduate studies. I am greatly interested in biochemical pathway elucidation and structure-based drug design by understanding the specific molecular interactions of essential enzymes in complex with various ligands, which can be used for the development of effective and potent inhibitors of drug targets. My desire to continue my education via pursuit of a Ph.D. is strengthened
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Although I have already been exposed to many important techniques, diversifying and broadening my proficiency is an imperative component to my success. Following graduate school, I intend to either advance into academia pursuing structure-based drug design or to work within the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, specific research areas I destine to pursue within graduate school include drug development and design for the prevention of certain disease states, biochemical mechanism elucidation, enzymology, and protein structure determination. The Araç-Ökzan Lab's use of X-ray crystallographic, biochemical, and functional methods for the for revelation of Adhesion GPCR biochemical properties align parallel with my research interests and prior experiences, allowing for further expansion of my knowledge in biophysical and biochemical techniques that can be used in pharmaceutical development. Additionally, because GPCRs are a frequent drug target, the structural and mechanistic determination of aGPCRs has the potential to solve a major bottleneck within aGPCR drug development. The Adams Lab's research regarding structural biochemistry of proteins involved in immunological reactions, including γδ T cell receptors for activation of inhibitory receptors involved in the innate immune system would provide me a strong foothold for a future research career within the drug development field. Furthermore, the Kossiakoff lab's focus on structural biochemistry, enzymology, drug delivery, and protein engineering would afford me an in-depth experience of biophysical and engineering methods for enzymology and I admire the research in a wide variety of areas to broaden my laboratory networks and expertise to enhance my research. Ultimately, productivity is of utmost importance to me
Although I have already been exposed to many important techniques, diversifying and broadening my proficiency is an imperative component to my success. Following graduate school, I intend to either advance into academia pursuing structure-based drug design or to work within the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, specific research areas I destine to pursue within graduate school include drug development and design for the prevention of certain disease states, biochemical mechanism elucidation, enzymology, and protein structure determination. The Araç-Ökzan Lab's use of X-ray crystallographic, biochemical, and functional methods for the for revelation of Adhesion GPCR biochemical properties align parallel with my research interests and prior experiences, allowing for further expansion of my knowledge in biophysical and biochemical techniques that can be used in pharmaceutical development. Additionally, because GPCRs are a frequent drug target, the structural and mechanistic determination of aGPCRs has the potential to solve a major bottleneck within aGPCR drug development. The Adams Lab's research regarding structural biochemistry of proteins involved in immunological reactions, including γδ T cell receptors for activation of inhibitory receptors involved in the innate immune system would provide me a strong foothold for a future research career within the drug development field. Furthermore, the Kossiakoff lab's focus on structural biochemistry, enzymology, drug delivery, and protein engineering would afford me an in-depth experience of biophysical and engineering methods for enzymology and I admire the research in a wide variety of areas to broaden my laboratory networks and expertise to enhance my research. Ultimately, productivity is of utmost importance to me