People
Dr. Brandon Gassaway
Brandon Gassaway is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Brigham Young University, whose research focuses on functionalizing protein post-translational modifications using thermal stability proteomics and phospho-amino acid orthogonal translation systems. Brandon graduated Magna Cum Laude with university honors from Brigham Young University, where he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Emily Bates studying the role of inwardly-rectifying potassium channels in Drosophila development. As a part of this research, Brandon was awarded a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
Brandon went on to do his graduate studies with Dr. Jesse Rinehart at Yale University, where he investigated mechanisms of insulin resistance using phosphoproteomic analysis. While at Yale, Brandon was named to the inaugural class of Gruber Fellows, as well as completed the Medical Research Scholars Program and received the Certificate of College Teaching Preparation. Brandon then began a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Gygi, where he developed methods to functionalize protein post-translational modifications. During his fellowship, Brandon also joined the laboratory of Dr. Marcia Haigis, where he applied the methods he developed in the Gygi lab to models of T cell activation, as well as various cancer models.
Brandon went on to do his graduate studies with Dr. Jesse Rinehart at Yale University, where he investigated mechanisms of insulin resistance using phosphoproteomic analysis. While at Yale, Brandon was named to the inaugural class of Gruber Fellows, as well as completed the Medical Research Scholars Program and received the Certificate of College Teaching Preparation. Brandon then began a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Gygi, where he developed methods to functionalize protein post-translational modifications. During his fellowship, Brandon also joined the laboratory of Dr. Marcia Haigis, where he applied the methods he developed in the Gygi lab to models of T cell activation, as well as various cancer models.
Morgan Payne
Morgan is a Biochemistry Ph.D. Student in the Gassaway lab. His current project is pursuing the protein and post-translational modification drivers of ALK resistant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer through proteomics analysis. As a busy husband and father of two, he hopes to become a capable scientist and versatile data analyst in the world of disease-applied proteomics.
Clayton Tacker
Clayton is a part of the Gassaway lab, pursuing a Doctorate in Biochemistry. As a devoted husband and father of one, he aspires to excel as a skilled scientist in the realm of disease-focused mass spectrometry proteomic research. He is currently engaged in a project that aims to identify the drivers of dedifferentiated liposarcoma protein and post-translational modifications using proteomic analysis.