Eugene Serebryany
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Physiology & Biophysics; Core Member of the Laufer Center for Physical & Quantitative Biology; Affiliate Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry; Associate Member, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University
Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016
My main interests are the biophysics of protein misfolding in vivo and mechanisms of misfolding-associated diseases; discovery and pharmacological targeting of physiologically relevant non-native protein conformations; protein and peptide engineering for challenging real-world environments; and single-molecule polypeptide sequencing. To enable these lines of research, I develop and apply new experimental methods at the interface of molecular biophysics and chemical biology and closely collaborate with computational biophysicists for computational-experimental integration.
Lab Members
Aslam Uddin
(aslam.uddin@stonybrook.edu)
Postdoctoral Researcher
I completed my Ph.D. in Chemistry from IISER Pune in 2024. My research focuses on the aggregation mechanisms of proteins like alpha-synuclein, Aβ42, and gamma-crystallin, which are implicated in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cataracts. I am also interested in biomolecular condensates and liquid-liquid phase separation. Characterizing protein condensates and understanding how their conformations and biophysical properties vary between the bulk and condensed phases remain challenging. My research employs high-throughput disulfide scanning to map distinct conformations within biomolecular aggregates and condensates.
Yu Pu
(yu.pu@stonybrook.edu)
Ph.D. Student
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 2023. My research focuses on cataracts and gamma crystallins, which, due to high cysteine content, form non-native disulfide bonds, misfolding, and light-scattering aggregates that contribute to cataract development. I conduct biophysical experiments on gamma-D crystallin variants to assess their stability and response to environmental stressors, aiming to better understand cataract formation and develop preventative strategies. In my free time, I enjoy action and sci-fi movies, anime, and video games.
Ali Behboodian
(ali.behboodian@stonybrook.edu)
Ph.D. Student
I completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of Tehran and my Master of Biochemistry at Tarbiat Modares University. Currently, I am working on developing high-throughput methods for display-free selection of linear and circular peptides. My favorite scientist is Rick Sanchez from dimension C-137.
Aparna Dileep
(aparna.dileep@stonybrook.edu)
Ph.D. Student
I completed my BS-MS dual degree from IISER Kolkata. My current research focuses on understanding the structural stability of gamma-crystallins in humans and other primates, as these are key proteins involved in maintaining lens transparency. I study thermodynamic and kinetic stability of these exceptionally long-lived proteins. I am also involved in engineering improved asparaginase variants as leukemia therapeutics. Outside the lab, I enjoy listening to music and spending time in nature.
Ilya Deadoff
(ilya.deadoff@stonybrook.edu)
Ph.D. Student
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Stetson University in 2024. My current research focuses on developing and engineering the chemical photocyclization of peptides. I am also involved in investigating the biophysics of lens gamma-crystallins and in protein engineering against protein-protein interactions in cancer. In my free time, I enjoy reading articles and books, going on walks, and playing chess.
Loy Hashimoto
(yuu-u.hashimoto@stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class of ’26)
I am a fourth year biology and applied math major at Stony Brook University. My current research focuses on analyzing the mechanism by which myo-inositol, a small molecule naturally abundant in the human eye lens, reduces light-scattering aggregation of lens crystallins. This research aims to develop more accessible treatments for cataracts. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and learning new hobbies.
Jeffin Abraham
(jeffin.abraham@stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class of ’26)
I am a fourth year biology major at Stony Brook University. My current research focuses on the engineering of L-asparaginase. The enzyme is a critical component in chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Miles Powell
(miles.powell@stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class of ’28)
I am a second year physics major at Stony Brook University. My current research focuses on the engineering of L-asparaginase. The enzyme is a critical component in medication of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I will be working on this project with Jeffin.
Alumni
Kyeongseo Choi
(kyeongseo.choi@stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class of ’26)
I am a second year physics major at Stony Brook University. My research focused on the engineering of L-asparaginase. The enzyme is a critical component in medication of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia.