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 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.
Theo Wang
Theo is a Biochemistry Ph.D. student whose research focuses on understanding cysteine oxidation and its role in disease through proteomic analysis. Theo is currently investigating oxidative post-translational modifications and their impact on protein function, with future work involving the study of lung cancer tissues. He hopes to become a scientist who can contribute to the research on lung cancer treatment.
Seth Kelly
Seth is an undergraduate student studying biochemistry. He spends most his time in the lab studying or generating phosphopeptide standards, but when he has free time he's usually busy being a chill guy.
Spencer Jeffries
Spencer is an undergraduate Biochemistry major with a keen interest in immunology and proteomics. His current research focuses on determining the role of post-translational modifications in T-cell activation, aiming to uncover key regulatory mechanisms in immune response. As a dedicated student he hopes to build a strong foundation for a future in biochemical research.
Zhiyao Cheng
Zhiyao is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Currently, as the only female member in the Gassaway lab, her project focuses on organoid proteomic studies to analyze the drug responses in breast cancer cells based on different estrogen levels. She is always passionate about finding innovative therapeutic strategies that bridge laboratory discoveries with real-world medical advancements...and hoping for a better place to record her dance covers (if outside of science and school).
Travis Schelin
Travis is an Undergraduate Biochemistry student focused on studying phosphoproteomics and discovering disease mechanisms to advance oncological research. He is currently working to help analyze the effects of LL-37 and CSA on infected mammalian cell lines.