Why I Teach

Some of the most inspiring people in my life have been educators. Teaching and mentoring allow me to give back and inspire the next generation of learners, continuing the cycle of impact and growth.

Research Interests

I study a class of biomolecules known as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) which are involved in a wide range of cellular functions from gene regulation to the formation of membraneless organelles through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). I am primarily interested in describing the thermodynamics of phase separation and how to integrate IDP laboratory techniques in undergraduate chemistry courses.

Hobbies & Interests

Computers, hiking, working out, card games, and board games.

Teaches

• CHEM 1411 - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 2423 - Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 2425 - Organic Chemistry II

Education

• Ph.D. Aquatic Resources and Integrated Biology (Anticipated 2025)
• M.S. Biochemistry
• B.S. Microbiology

Publications

• Yarawsky AE, Ori AL, English LR, Whitten ST, Herr AB*. Convergent behavior of extended stalk regions from staphylococcal surface proteins with widely divergent sequence patterns. Protein Science. 2023. Link.
• English LR, Voss SM, Tilton EC, Paiz EA, So S, Parra GL, Paiz EA, Whitten ST*. Impact of heat on coil hydrodynamic size yields the energetics of denatured state conformational bias. Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 2019. Link.
• English LR, Tischer A, Demeler AK, Demeler B, Whitten ST*. Sequence reversal prevents chain collapse and yields heat-sensitive intrinsic disorder. Biophysical Journal. 2018. Link.
• English LR, Tilton EC, Ricard BJ, Whitten ST*. Intrinsic α helix propensities compact hydrodynamic radii in intrinsically disordered proteins. Proteins. 2017.
• Yarawsky AE, English LR, Whitten ST, Herr AB*. The proline/glycine-rich region of the biofilm adhesion protein Aap forms an extended stalk that resists compaction. Journal of Molecular Biology. 2016. Link.
• Dasari R, Masi M, Lisy R, Ferdérin M, English LR, Cimmino A, Mathieu V, Brenner AJ, Kuhn JG, Whitten ST, Evidente A, Kiss R, Kornienko A*. Fungal metabolite ophiobolin A as a promising anti-glioma agent: In vivo evaluation, structure–activity relationship and unique pyrrolylation of primary amines. Bio-organic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 2015. Link.
• Earl RA*, Mitchell JS, English LR. Designing an evaporation pond for a fleet carwash. Papers and Proceedings of Applied Geography Conferences. 2005.