In this lab, we believe kindness, peace, equality, love, inclusion, hope, and diversity are essential to our success. Everyone is welcome.
| Graduate Student (BMS) – Emily Bianchini, B.Sc. (ResearchGate, ORCID, LinkedIn) | |
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Structural Insights into Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly in Mammalian Cells
Emily specializes in the characterization of HBV capsid structures. Her research elucidates the first near-atomic resolution structure of HBV capsids derived from mammalian cells using cryo-EM. By investigating conformational differences between capsids produced in mammalian versus bacterial systems, Emily has uncovered novel structural features, including lipid interactions within hydrophobic pockets that may play a critical role in the HBV life cycle. |
| Graduate Student (BMS) – Katie Culhane, B.Sc (LinkedIn) | |
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Morphological and Structural Analysis of HBV cccDNA Using Cryo-EM
Katie aims to determine the cryo-EM structure of HBV cccDNA, focusing on its morphology and interactions with histone and capsid proteins. Although achieving high-resolution structural details may be challenging, her research seeks to provide valuable insights into the organization of cccDNA and its functional interfaces. Outside the lab, Katie enjoys playing soccer and ice hockey and holds a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo. |
| Research Technologist / Lab Manager – Sonal Garg, B.Sc., M.Sc (ORCID, LinkedIn) | |
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Structural Insights into Capsid and Envelope Interactions
Sonal’s research focuses on the structural biology of HBV, particularly on understanding the interactions between HBV capsids and envelope proteins. Using cryo-EM, she has investigated the role of the pre-S domain in capsid envelopment, providing critical insights into this key process. |
| Graduate Student (BMS) – Alyssa Ochetto, B.Sc. (ORCID, LinkedIn) | |
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Structural Insights into HBV Subviral Particles
Alyssa aims to unravel the processes involved in the morphogenesis of HBV SVPs. By investigating the morphological variations of distinct surface protein constructs expressed in HepG2 cells, Alyssa seeks to understand their structural differences. This work extends to 3D reconstruction studies, offering a detailed perspective on the spatial organization of SVPs within hepatoma cells. |
| Postdoctoral Researcher – Shiv Kumar, Ph.D. (ResearchGate, LinkedIn) | |
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Unraveling HBV Capsid Dynamics: Insights into Drug Interactions
Shiv studies how HBV capsids interact with drugs both inside and outside cells, with a particular focus on capsid assembly modulators (CAMs). His research examines the effects of CAMs on HBV capsids derived from human hepatoma cells compared to those from bacterial expression systems, analyzing differences in CAM binding and stability to uncover insights for developing improved antiviral treatments. Additionally, Shiv explores structural changes during the HEV life cycle. |
| PI – Joseph Che-Yen Wang, M.Sc, Ph.D. (Google Scholar, ORCID, LinkedIn) – Contact me | |
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As a mentor, my primary objective is to provide the resources and support needed to help students and trainees achieve their personal and professional goals. I am committed to creating a positive, open-minded environment that encourages growth and collaboration. While I believe informal mentorship can be highly effective, I also find it important to regularly discuss and align our assumptions and expectations to build a productive and supportive relationship. |
Honorary members:
Mikki (Keeping PI happy during holiday breaks)
Bambi (left) and Nova (right) keep everyone happy!
Rotation students and visiting scientists:
Marissa Padilla (BMS student, 2024)
Katie Culhane (BMS student, 2024)
Vanshika Patel (BMS student, 2024)
Alyssa Ochetto (BMS student, 2023)
Sonal Garg (BMS student, 2022)
Nadia DiNunno (BMS student, 2021)
Emily Bianchini (BMS student, 2020)
Former members:
Dr. Nadia Dinunno (PhD student, PSCOM)
Dr. Haitao Liu (Postdoctoral Research, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, China)
Reem Hassan (Research Technologist)
Please don’t use any personal information you got from this website for phishing purpose. We are just students / researchers / scientists that try to make our works meaningful to this world! Thank you.
Before moving to Hershey:
11.22.2019 – at Indiana University – Bloomington