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Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

NC State Biochemistry Department Head Melanie Simpson

Apr 2, 2019

From Bank Teller To Head Of Biochemistry

Department Head Melanie Simpson was a bank teller before discovering her passion for biochemistry. Now, she's a top researcher on prostate cancer progression. 

CALS Ph.D. student Gabriela Schroder and CALS professor of biochemistry FLora Meilleur stand in front of a complicated machine at ORNL.

Apr 2, 2019

“Like Taking Apart A Tiny Machine”: Biochemistry’s Gabriela Schroder

South African Ph.D. student Gabriela Schroder encourages students not to be intimidated by biochemistry. It’s “like looking under the hood of a car,” she says. 

CALS' Flora Meilleur and Gabriela Schroder in the Oak Ridge National Laboratories working with the world's largest neutron source.

Mar 26, 2019

Chasing Better Biofuels – On The World’s Most Intense Neutron Beam

Imagine that every day, your job is to use one of the most intense beams of neutrons in the world to figure out solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time. That’s Associate Professor of Biochemistry Flora Meilleur’s career. 

Male scientists holding an award in a lab

Jan 14, 2019

Global Research Outreach in Nairobi: Biochemistry’s Jose Ascencio-Ibanez

Teaching Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Jose Ascencio-Ibanez recently attended a one-week outreach initiative in Nairobi, Kenya. The goal: partner with international researchers to help identify drivers of viral evolution infecting cassava plants, an important staple crop. 

Wellington Ekaya of BecA-ILRI Hub; Linda Hanley-Bowdoin and George Kennedy of NC State at NSF-PIRES project launch

Aug 22, 2018

Partner Profile: BecA-ILRI Hub

CALS researchers Linda Hanley-Bowdoin and Trino Ascencio-Ibanez launched an international partnership through the Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub focused on studying the evolution of Cassava mosaic disease. 

NC State student Serene Ahmad

May 8, 2018

Outstanding CALS Grad: Serene Ahmad

Serene Ahmad jokes that “senioritis” has set in full-force. It’s no wonder the accomplished student is ready for a break – her NC State career is packed with scholarly achievements and extracurricular activities. 

Biochemistry Ph.D. student Gabriela Schroder works at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Mar 13, 2018

Student Spotlight: “I Enjoy the Challenge of Solving Problems”

Biochemistry Ph.D. student Gabriela Schroder conducts cutting-edge protein research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory – the experience of a lifetime, she says – that has implications for drug development and human health. 

NC State Biochemistry Department Head Melanie Simpson

Feb 21, 2018

Faculty Focus: Cancer Researcher Aims to Alleviate Suffering

Melanie Simpson, head of the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, is internationally recognized for her research on mechanisms of prostate cancer progression and metastasis. But it’s her determination and passion for her work that continue to move her research forward. 

NC State CALS alumnus Jim Noah sitting at his desk

Feb 6, 2018

AgPack Strong: Pursuing a “Career of Exciting Research”

After a career in the military, Jim Noah found his home as a Ph.D. student at NC State. During that time, the self-described lifelong learner became passionate about biochemistry. 

Students in biochemistry lab with Dr. Trino Ascencio-Ibanez, one of the co-principal investigators at NC State working on the cassava mosaic disease project.

Feb 2, 2018

Faculty Focus: Fighting to Save Cassava

Trino Ascencio-Ibanez and his colleagues are hard at work – with the help of two major grants – protecting the food supply for an entire continent.