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, Stony Brook University
Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016
My main interest is 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 // at \\ 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 // at \\ 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 // at \\ 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.
Kyeongseo Choi
(kyeongseo.choi // at \\ stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class ’26)
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 am the webmaster for this website.
Loy Hashimoto
(yuu-u.hashimoto // at \\ stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class ’26)
I am a third year biology 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 dancing.
Jeffin Abraham
(jeffin.abraham // at \\ stonybrook.edu)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Class ’26)
I am a third year 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 taking over Kyeongseo’s research starting fall 2024.