Dr. Brent Znosko
Principal Investigator
Dr. Brent Znosko has a broad background in nucleic acid chemistry that focuses on training and expertise in thermodynamics and structure. He first began research with RNA thermodynamics working in the lab of Marty Serra at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. He continued training at the University of Rochester working with Dr. Douglas Turner, an RNA thermodynamics pioneer for whom the nearest neighbor Turner rules are named. Dr. Znosko's graduate research focused on thermodynamic and structural (NMR) characterization of nucleic acids. As an NIH-funded PI at Saint Louis University, he has continued investigating nucleic acid thermodynamics and structure.
Education
Ph.D., Chemistry
University of Rochester – Rochester, NY.
June 2004
M.S., Chemistry
University of Rochester – Rochester, NY.
May 2001
B.S., Chemistry
Allegheny College – Meadville, PA.
May 1999
Positions
Professor & Associate Chair,
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2016-present
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2010-2016
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2004-2010
Contact Information
Email : brent.znosko@slu.edu Phone : 314-977-8567
Sebastian Arteaga
Ph.D. Candidate
Sebastian graduated with their B.S (2020) in chemistry from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Illinois. They joined the Znosko lab in Summer 2020. Their current studies focus on investigate alkali metal effects on nucleic acid secondary structure stability and annotating pseudouridine-containing structures in the Protein Data Bank. When not in the lab, Sebastian enjoys photography, working out, tending to their plants, and taking a stroll in the park.
MacKenzie Hertel
M.S. Student
MacKenzie graduated with their B.S. (2022) in chemistry with a focus in biochemistry from the University of Arkansas in Fayettville, Arkansas. They joined the Znosko lab in Summer 2022. Their current studies focus on identifying and characterizing RNA triloop sequence families, along with studying RNA duplex stability in ionic solutions. When not in the lab, MacKenzie enjoys working out, reading, and trying new cuisines.
Danyang Liu
M.S. Student
Danyang graduated with their B.S (2020) in bio-pharmacy from Dalian Medical University in Dalian, China. Danyang then graduated with their M.S. (2022) in chemistry from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. They joined the Znosko lab in Summer 2022. Their current studies focus on investigate RNA 1x2 internal loops. When not in the lab, Danyang enjoys watching NBA games and going on road trips.
Annie Jung
Undergraduate Student
Annie is a current B.S. student in biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in spring 2022. Their current studies focus on finding similar patterns between secondary structure motifs in 3D structures using the lab's RNA CoSSMos database. When not in the lab, Annie enjoys watching movies and playing tennis.
Kaitlyn Lampe
Undergraduate Student
Kaitlyn is a current double major B.S. in mathematics and B.A. in biology student at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in spring 2022. Their current studies focus on identifying sequence families in RNA tertiary structure. When not in the lab, Kaitlyn is involved in choir and DnD, along with participating in book and math clubs. When on their own, Kaitlyn enjoys crafting with fiber arts.
Ashwin Biju Pillai
Undergraduate Student
Ashwin is a current B.S. student in biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in spring 2022. Their current studies focus on performing MD simulations and QM calculations on uridine derivatives. When not in the lab, Ashwin enjoys hanging out with friends and watching/playing soccer.
Esha Dani
Undergraduate Student
Esha is a current B.S. student in biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in Fall 2022. Their current studies focus on determining structural characteristics of dinucleotide bulges through the RNA CoSSMos database. When not in the lab, Esha enjoys cooking and reading.
Julia Stone
Undergraduate Student
Julia is a current B.S. student in biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in spring 2022. Their current studies focus on gathering data on the nonstandard RNA nucleotide, pseudouridine, by performing optical melting experiments and other computational methods. These data will help to inform structural prediction in a larger RNA molecule. When not in the lab, Julia enjoys dancing with XQuizit (a dance team here at SLU). Julia also participates in their sorority, Delta Gamma, doing service and other activities.
Isabel Duff
Undergraduate Student
Isabel is a current B.S. student in biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. They joined the Znosko lab in Spring 2024. Their current studies focus on investigating 1x3 internal loops through the RNA CoSSMos database. When not in the lab, Isabel enjoys knitting, crocheting, and listening to music.
Former Members
Ph.D. Graduates
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7. Md. Sharear Saon, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '17-Summer '22, currently a post-doc in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State University
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6. Melissa Hopfinger, PhD (Chemistry), Summer ’15-Summer ’20, currently an Assistant Professor at Saint Louis University
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5. Miranda Adams, PhD (Chemistry), Summer ’15-Spring ’20, currently a research analyst at Numerof and Associates
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4. Katie Richardson, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '14-Spring '19, currently seeking employment
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3. Elizabeth Jolley, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '11-Spring '16, post-doc in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State University, currently a post-doc at Penn State
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2. Charles Johnson, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '09-Spring '14, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, currently a patent agent at Polsinelli PC
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1. Amber Davis, PhD (Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Chemistry Track), Fall '05 - Spring '10, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at SLU School of Medicine, current position unknown
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M.S. Graduates
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11. Megan Rudolphi, MS (MS, research), Summer '19-Fall '21, currently an operations research analyst for the US Army
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10. Bree Bozsoki, MS (MS, research), Summer '19-Summer '21, currently a Scientist II in the Antibody Generation Department at Boehringer Ingelheim
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9. Nicole Meyer, MS (MS, research), Summer '13-Spring '15, currently medical student at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
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8. Elizabeth Jolley, PhD (MS, research), Summer '11-Spring '14, currently a post-doc at Penn State University
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7. Matthew Stark, MS (MS, research), Spring '11-Spring '13, currently a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
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6. Zexiang Chen, MS (MS, research), Summer '11-Spring '13, currently a PhD student in biomedical sciences at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
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5. Pamela Vanegas, MS (MS, research), Summer '10-Spring '12, currently a teacher at Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky
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4. Charles Johnson, PhD (MS, research), Summer '09-Spring '11, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, currently a patent agent at Polsinelli PC
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3. Nina Zulic Hausmann, PhD (MS, research), Summer '07 - Summer '09, PhD in chemistry from SLU, currently a product manager at Monsanto
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2. Amber Davis, PhD (MS, research), Fall '05 - Summer '07, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at SLU School of Medicine, current position unknown
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1. Martha Christiansen, MS (MS, research), Fall '05-Spring '07, currently a quality assurance specialist at Sigma-Aldrich
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Medical Rotation Students
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1. Richard Bloomingdale, MD (Rockhurst University, Class of '09), Summer 2010, currently an advanced cardiac imaging fellow at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan
Undergraduate Graduates
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44. Nidhi Rao (University of Kansas, health information management major), Summer '23, currently an undergraduate at the University of Kansas
43. Sarah Erickson (Class of '23, chemistry & classical humanities double major), Spring 22' - '23, currently a chemistry graduate student at University of Minnesota
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42. Kip Friend (Class of '23, biochemistry major), Fall '21 - Spring 23', currently working at the NIH
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41. Jonah Koch (Class of '23, biochemistry major), Spring '21 - Spring 23', currently working in industry
40. Bruce Dolenz (Truman State University, biochemistry major), Summer '21, currently a chemist at REPCO
39. Jon Bostic (Class of ’21, biochemistry major), Fall ’19 - Spring ’21
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38. Arjun Bagai (Class of ’20, biochemistry major), Fall ’18 - Spring ’20, currently a medical student
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37. Megan McEntire (Class of ’20, chemistry major), Spring ’19 - Spring ’20, currently a med student at SLU
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36. Kim Strege (Emory University, chemistry major), Summer '19, currently an undergraduate at Emory University
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35. Vikram Tammana (Class of '19, biochemistry major), Spring '17 - Spring '19, currently a medical student at University of Illinois-Chicago
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34. Ashley Hill (Class of '18, chemistry major), Fall '17 - Spring '18, currently a validation consultant at VTS Consultants
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33. Morgan Pearson (Class of '18, biochemistry major), Spring '17 - Spring '18, currently a data scientist at Benjamin F. Edwards
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32. Emily Dahm (Class of '17, biochemistry major), Fall '15 - Spring '17, currently
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31. Ryan Rodenborn (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Spring '15 - Spring '16, currently
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30. Scott Hoener (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Fall '14 - Spring '16, currently a medical student at Saint Louis University
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29. Kurtis Breger (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Fall '14 - Spring '16, currently
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28. Jeremy Tomcho (Class of '15, biochemistry major), Fall '13 - Spring '15, currently a medical student at the University of Toledo
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27. Natasha Khatwani (Class of '16, investigative and medical sciences major), Spring '14 - Fall '14, currently an undergraduate at SLU
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26. Magdalena Tillman (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '11 - Spring '13, currently a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas
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25. Meghan Murray (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '13, currently an MD/PhD student at SLU School of Medicine
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24. Graham Hudson (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '13, currently a chemistry PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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23. Teresa Horwitz (Class of '11, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '11, currently a senior associate scientist at Pfizer
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22. Angela Hoynacki, MD (Class of '11, biochemistry major), Fall '08 - Spring '11, MD from SLU, currently a resident in pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children (Indiana University)
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21. Haariss Ilyas, MD (Class of '11, biology/economics major), Fall '08 - Fall '10, MD from SLU, currently a resident in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic
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20. Gregory Orf, PhD (Class of '10, biochemistry major), Summer '09 - Summer '10, PhD in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, currently a post-doc at Arizona State University
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19. Wanying Qu (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Summer '10, currently an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin
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18. Jessicah Hard, MD (Class of '11, biology major), Summer '09 - Fall '10, MD from SLU, current a general surgery resident at the University of Colorado School of Medicine-Denver
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17. Matt Alexander, MD (Class of '09, biochemistry major), Spring '08 - Summer '09, Masters in health administration from Georgetown University, MD from the University of Missouri, currently a general surgery resident at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
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16. Molly Burke Bretl, MS (Class of '09, biochemistry major), Spring '08 - Spring '09, MS in food science from North Carolina State University, currently an R&D Associate Principle Scientist at PepsiCo-Frito Lay
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15. Justin Sheehy, MD (Class of '09, chemistry major), Fall '06 - Spring '09, MD from SLU, currently a cardiology fellow at UMKC/Mid America Heart Institute
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14. Dan Wright (Class of '09, biochemistry major; Class of '17, Investigative Medical Sciences), Fall '04 - Spring '09 and Fall '15 - Spring '17, currently a flight paramedic with the St. Louis Children's Hospital transport team
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13. Chris Force, MD (Class of '08, chemistry major), Spring '07 - Fall '08, MD from SLU, currently an internal medicine physician
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12. Praneetha Thulasi, MD (Class of '08, biology major; Emory medical school Class of '12), Summer '05 - Fall '08, MD from Emory University, currently a resident at the Emory Eye Center
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11. Sarada Karri (Class of '08, biology major), Summer '05 - Fall '08, MHA from the University of Memphis, currently a medical student at the University of Tennessee-Health Science Center
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10. Jaya Badhwar Kumar, MD (Class of '08, investigative medical sciences major), Spring '05 - Fall '08, MD from SLU, currently a surgical vitreoretinal fellow at Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic
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9. Ben Kasten, PhD (Missouri Baptist University, biology major), Summer '07, PhD in chemistry from Washington State University, currently a post-doc in the Department of Radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
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8. Chris Barnaby (Missouri Baptist University, biology major), Summer '07, currently an AppleCare advisor with Apple
7. Reena Varade, MD (Class of '09, Biology Major), Fall '06 - Spring '07, MD from SLU, currently a preliminary internal medicine resident at St. Mary's Health Center
6. Lopa Pandya, MD (Biology/Psychology Major), Fall '05 - Spring '06, MD from SLU, currently a OB/GYN resident at the University of Chicago
5. Cody Cass (Class of '06, Biology and Chemistry Double Major), Summer '05 - Fall '06, currently a global infocell specialist at Anheuser-Busch
4. Dawn Yanker Johnson, PhD (Spring Hill College, Class of '06, Biochemistry Major), Summer '05, PhD in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, currently on the faculty at Visitation Academy
3. Julia Sinclair Butts, DPM (Class of '06, Biology Major), Fall '04 - Spring '05, DPM from the College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University, currently a podiatric surgeon at the Centers for Foot and Ankle Care
2. Jamie Rice Tueth, DO (Class of '05, Chemistry/Biology Major), Fall '04 - Spring '05, DO from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, currently an internal medicine physician at BJC Medical Group
1. Beena Yusuf Bali (University of Missouri-Kansas City, Class of '04, Psychology Major), Fall '04, currently doing marketing and advertising for the United States Embassy-Consulate of Dubai
High School Students
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16. Gloria Williams (Jennings High School Class of '22), Summer '20, currently a senior at Jennings High School
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16. Alka Joseph (Visitation Academy Class of '20), Summer '19, currently a senior at Visitation Academy
15. Lexi Young (John Burroughs High School Class of '19), Summer '18, current position unknown
14. Michael Wu (Marquette High School Class of '18), Summer '17, current position unknown
13. Trinity Hellems (Clyde Miller Career Academy Class of '15), Spring '15, currently a prescription benefit specialist at
Express Scripts
12. Igi Vilza (Lindbergh High School Class of '15), Summer '14, currently a graduate student at Purdue University
11. Sanjay Elangovan (Marquette High School Class of '15), Summer '14, currently a software developer at McMaster-
Carr
10. Anna Coyle (Villa Duchesne High School Class of '14), Summer '13, currently an investment executive at CVC
Capital Partners
9. Jeffry Lu (Lafayette High School Class of '14), Summer '13, currently a medical student at Thomas Jefferson
University
8. Shravan Dommaraju (Lindbergh High School Class of '14), Summer '12, currently chemistry major at the University
of Missouri-Columbia
7. Tyler Stratton (MICDS, Class of '12), Summer '11, currently a consulting engineer at Bastian Solutions
6. Jevon Driver (Clyde Miller Career Academy, Class of '11), Spring '11, currently a LCMS-MS technician at Averhealth
5. Vikram Ponnusamy (Parkway South High School, Class of '12), Summer '10, currently a med student at the
University of Missouri
4. Jerica Henry (Clyde Miller Career Academy, Class of '10), Spring '10, currently a lead analyst in quality control for
Advanced Testing Laboratory
3. Shannon Kelly (Francis Howell Central High School, Class of '09), Summer '08, currently a PhD student at the
University of Missouri
2. Jessicah Hard (Parkway South High School, Class of '07), Summer '06, currently a general surgery resident at the
University of Colorado School of Medicine
1. Erica Wunderlich Majumder (Kirkwood High School, Class of '06), Summer '05, currently an assistant professor of bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison