• B.A. in Chemistry: Biochemistry with honors from Boston University

• Summer rotation 2023, joined Riley Research Group in December 2023

• Email: agduboff 

I’m from the Greater Boston area of MA, and I attended BU for my undergraduate degree where I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Björn Reinhard on functionalizing lipid-wrapped gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery. Following graduation, I pursued my passion for public service and joined the Peace Corps where I taught at a university in Sichuan Province, China. After my service, I moved to NYC to work for an IP law firm in Rockefeller Center and learned much about patent research and its process. I enjoyed reading about cutting edge research so much that I moved to Cambridge, MA to join Codiak BioSciences, a startup engineering extracellular vesicles (EVs) for targeted drug delivery. I developed analytical methods for characterizing EVs with a focus on chromatography, immunoassays, and single particle analytics. With the Riley Research Group, I’m excited to expand on the analytical skills I learned in industry and to develop mass spectrometry methods for studying glycobiology, and possibly the glycoprotein profiles of EVs. Outside of the lab, I enjoy binge watching cooking videos on YouTube and aim to hike in every national park. Now that I’m in Seattle, I look forwards to exploring the national parks on the West Coast! 

• BB.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Joined Riley Research Group in December 2023

• Email: kothlow

I grew up in Minnesota in the St. Paul area and moved to Madison, Wisconsin for my undergraduate degree. At the University of Wisconsin, I worked in the Coon Lab under Professor Josh Coon. My research focused on mass spectrometry instrumentation, specifically relating to NETD (Negative Electron Transfer Dissociation). I was able to work with the instrument code and calibration settings to test how different factors affected mass spectrometry measurements. I developed skills in data science and informatics that I am excited to expand on in the Riley Research Group. I am also looking forward to developing mass spectrometry methods and instrumentation for studying glycoproteomics. In my free time, I like to cook, rock climb, and watch college football (Go Dawgs!).

• B.S. in BCMB (Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology) and B.A. in Spanish and chemistry from Drake University

• Joined Riley Research Group in December 2023

• Email: kmarky

I’m from the most amazing, wonderful state of Minnesota. I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis and am defined by all things Minnesota - lakes, snow, LeeAnn Chin, and especially Wild hockey! I moved to Des Moines, Iowa for college where I performed research in the labs of Dr. Charisse Buising and Dr. John Gitua. My favorite memories of college include playing intramurals, attending Iowa Wild games, and the Drake Relays! After college, I stayed in Des Moines and worked at Eurofins Scientific doing all sorts of analytical food testing in the HPLC department. My journey to Seattle has been wonderful, and I am thrilled to be joining the Riley Research Group. I am excited to expand on my knowledge and skills in analytical chemistry and explore the field of glycobiology! Outside of lab, you’ll find me attempting to bond with my roommate’s cat and trying every single bottle of wine in Costco!

• B.A. in Chemistry from the Ohio State University

• Joined Riley Research Group in December 2023

• Email: rus22

I am from Columbus, OH, where I earned my B.A. in Chemistry at The Ohio State University. There, I worked in the lab of Dr. Susan Olesik on enhanced-fluidity liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (EFLC-MS), as well as employing electrospun nanofiber substrates for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) and ultra-thin layer chromatography (UTLC). In the Riley Research Group, I am interested in mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomics. Glycosylation is a complex and heterogenous post-translational modification (PTM), and this complexity presents some analytical challenges. I am very excited to be able to work on addressing these challenges and explore the world of glycobiology! Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active (running and swimming, for the most part) and I find traveling particularly relaxing. 

• B.S. in Pharmacological Chemistry from University of California-San Diego

• Joined Riley Research Group in December 2023

• Email: ruz165

I grew up in Los Angeles, California, where my interest in science was initiated at an early age by the introduction of dinosaurs. This interest later transitioned into  the development of therapeutics and medicine. This fueled my move (although not very far) to San Diego from 2017-2021, to complete my bachelor's degree in pharmacological chemistry at UCSD. While at UCSD, I worked part-time as a research assistant at Pfizer, studying cellular target engagement of covalent small molecules. Following my time at UCSD, I worked as a research technician at Caltech from 2021-2023, under the guidance of Dr. Mikhail Shapiro. At Caltech, my research was focused on the development of an ultrasonic reporter of calcium (URoC). In fall of 2023, I began my journey as a graduate student at UW as part of the Riley Research Group. Here, I am excited to expand my knowledge of mass spectrometry and its role in understanding glycobiology as well as utilize my skills to modify protein glycosylation. Outside of the lab, I'm a big fan of arts and crafts. My main hobby is crochet, with a little bit of knitting here and there, but I'm always excited to learn something new!