Nicholas M. Riley
Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, Department of Chemistry
Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Genome Sciences
Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Biochemistry
Member of the Biological Physics, Structure, and Design Program (BPSD) at UW
Member of the Cancer Consortium (UW, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's)
Member of the Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute (MolES) at UW
Member of the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Program (UW, Fred Hutch)
Postdoctoral Training in Chemical Glycobiology at Stanford University
Mentor: Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Advisor: Prof. Josh Coon
B.S. in Chemistry and Psychology from the University of South Carolina
with Honors from the South Carolina Honors College
Our research group is studying fundamental roles of glycosylation in cell surface biology through creative technology development. Glycoproteins and glycoconjugates are highly heterogeneous biomolecules, yet we continue to see that specific glycoforms direct and drive concerted biological phenomenon. This balance of biological diversity coupled with intricately coded specificity fascinates me. One challenge in studying the glycocode is that our tools need to be refined to allow us to interrogate both how biology broadly governs glycosylation and how individual glycoproteoforms affect cell surface interactions. Mass spectrometry (MS) is particularly well-suited to address many of these questions, but there are also gaps in how that technology can be used to quantitatively measure glycocode regulation. Mass spectrometers captivated me early in my research career (they are truly amazing instruments!), which led to my graduate training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Prof. Josh Coon. There I developed MS technology for proteomic applications, with an emphasis on a tandem MS method called electron transfer dissociation (ETD). Application of that technology to glycopeptide analysis introduced me to the world of extracellular biology and glycoscience, and I followed this newfound interest in my postdoctoral research with Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi at Stanford University. There I focused on MS and chemical biology approaches to characterize mucin-domain glycoproteins and the secretome. These experiences further ignited my curiosity about how to tailor chemical instrumentation and chemical tools to understand the rich biology governed by cell surface glycosylation, and this motivates our research here at the University of Washington.
Selected Honors and Awards
2022 – 2023 NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)
2016 – 2022 NIH National Cancer Institute Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)
2024 ASMS Research Award
2023 Scialog Fellow
2023 HUPO Rising Star Award
2021 Rising Star in Proteomics and Metabolomics (40 under 40), Journal of Proteome Research
2020 Selected as ASMS Emerging Talent in Academia, American Society for Mass Spectrometry
2019 ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Award, American Society for Mass Spectrometry
2018 Richard and Joan Hartl Award for Research Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, UW-Madison
2017 FACSS Student Award, Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies
2017 Roger J. Carlson Memorial Award for Research Excellence, Dept. of Chemistry, UW-Madison
2015 ASMS Graduate Student Award, American Society for Mass Spectrometry
2014 – 2016 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow
2012 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award (top undergraduate student), Univ. of South Carolina
2011 Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Gold Level (250+ hours), Office of President Barack Obama
2011 Wilson-Kibler Bicentennial Leadership Award, Univ. of South Carolina
2010 Phi Beta Kappa
Full list available on CV, linked here and at the top of the page
Leadership, Mentorship, and Service Activities
Serve as a mentor for 12-15 mentees from around the country as part of a discussion group and support network. As a mentor, I support group members on their diverse paths in science and share my STEM experiences to provide perspectives and resources for their career development.
Co-Chair of 2nd community-wide glycoproteomics software study. This second study focuses on teams of software developers only, with the goal to identify strengths and weaknesses of the very latest glycoproteomics software for glycopeptide identification and quantitation. As co-chair, I design experiments, coordinate with participants, analyze data, and work with the advisory committee to carry out this community wide study with 20 developer teams.
Support the US HUPO ECR and its Executive Committee in all aspects of education, training, networking and activities being carried out by the ECR; attend monthly ECR executive committee meetings and other ECR-based meetings activities; represent the ECR’s interests at executive committee meetings and board meetings.
Support the HUPO ECR and its Executive Committee in all aspects of education, training, networking and activities being carried out by the ECR; attend monthly ECR executive committee meetings and other ECR-based meetings activities; represent the ECR’s interests at executive committee meetings and board meetings.
ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Education Committee, 2022-present
Administer Graduate Research Fellowships, Undergraduate Awards in Analytical Chemistry, and travel funding; plan regular opportunities for networking and teaching/learning through ACS national meetings and stand-alone virtual events; undertake special short-term and long-term projects related to analytical chemistry education.
Assistant Program Chair, Pacific Northwest Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group (PacMass), 2023-present
Administer Graduate Research Fellowships, Undergraduate Awards in Analytical Chemistry, and travel funding; plan regular opportunities for networking and teaching/learning through ACS national meetings and stand-alone virtual events; undertake special short-term and long-term projects related to analytical chemistry education.
Interviewer for ASMS Mock Interviews for Students and Postdocs, 2022-present
Serve as an interviewer for graduate students to conduct mock interviews for what it is like to look for an academic postdoctoral scholar position. This includes reviewing each student’s curriculum vitae to offer suggestions and conducting a ~30 minute virtual interview to help coach them through how to prepare.
Grant Review Activities
Reviewer, National Science Foundation, 2024.
Poster Session Judge
2023, Human Proteome Organization, Early Career Researcher Poster Competition
2022, ASMS Annual Conference, Undergraduate Poster Session
2020, ASMS Annual Conference, Undergraduate Poster Session
2019, ASMS Annual Conference, Undergraduate Poster Session
Conference Events and Related Activities
Co-Chair, Glycobiology Gordon Research Seminar, 2023-2025
Discussion Leader, Glycobiology Gordon Research Seminar, Ventura, CA, March 2023
Organizer, HGI Workshop on Glycoproteomics and Glycoinformatics, US HUPO, Chicago, IL, March 2023
2023 ASMS Abstract Program Review Committee
Professional Societies and Affiliations
American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 2013-present
American Chemical Society, 2013-present
Human Proteome Organization, 2022-present (US HUPO 2015-present)
Society for Glycobiology, 2017-present
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020-present
American Association for Cancer Research, Associate Member, 2020-present
Tegmine Therapeutics, Inc., Scientific Advisor, Scientific Advisory Board, 2020-present
Cartography Biosciences, Scientific Consultant, 2023-present
Postdoctoral Leadership and Service Experience
Stanford Science Penpals; Stanford ADVANCE Summer Institute Mentor; Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) - Amgen Scholars Program; Stanford Omics Mass Spectrometry Group
Graduate Leadership and Service Experience
Graduate Student Faculty Liaison Committee; John L. Schrag Fund Committee (Co-Founder, Co-President); Junior Science Café; Wisconsin Science Festival; Wisconsin Saturday Science; Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPs) at UW-Madison
Undergraduate Leadership and Service Experience
University Ambassador (President, Captain of Mentor Program, Presidential Ambassador); Pillars for Carolina (Co-Founder, Director of Programs); Honors Council (President, Vice President); Orientation Leader (President, Vice President); Resident Mentor; Men’s Club Rugby (Team Captain)
UW Teaching and Service Activities
CHEM 321A: Quantitative Analysis, Dept. of Chemistry
Introduction to chemical analysis, including gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, and potentiometric analyses. Laboratory computer use included.
CHEM 428A: Biomolecular Analysis, Dept. of Chemistry
Principles of identifying and quantifying biological molecules, including metabolites, proteins, and nucleic acids, using modern analysis techniques, including analytical spectroscopy, molecular recognition, mass spectrometry, and separations. Emphasis on bioinformatics as well as the role of chemical measurements in medical diagnostics and biomedical research. Includes laboratory.
Its main purpose is to 1) inform what research in chemistry looks like, 2) show you why and how chemistry is relevant in our society, 3) provide you with an opportunity to meet research active faculty at UW, and their students in a relatively informal setting, and 4) chart a course to how to pursue undergraduate research internships
This class is also an excellent opportunity to find research positions and interact with chemistry profs in the department (many of who you'll interact with throughout your career at UW).
CHEM 600: Independent Research
Extramural and Prior Teaching Experience and Activities
Instructor, North American Mass Spectrometry Summer School, 2023, 2024
Presented a lecture, participated in training events, and served on a panel for a three-day in-person course that provides training from world-leading experts in mass spectrometry and scientific and professional development.
Post-Translational Modifications, 2024
Instructor, Skyline Online Course Introduction to Targeted Proteomics: SRM/MRM and PRM, 2021-present
Presented a lecture and led a tutorial session of 50+ attendees on indexed retention time and how to process data within the Skyline ecosystem. Also contributed to live question and answer sessions. Sessions taught: April 2021, April 2022, October 2022, October 2023.
Guest Lecturer, BIOS 227, Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics: Opening the Black Box, Stanford Univ., 2021, 2023
Developed and presented a lecture on the combination of glycobiology and mass spectrometry at the invitation of course leader Prof. Sharon Pitteri.
Guest Lecturer, Stanford University Mass Spectrometry Seminar Series, Fall 2020
Designed and presented two lectures on fundamentals and cutting-edge research in glycoproteomics. Recordings available here.
Seminar 1: Fundamentals: An introduction to MS-based glycoproteomics, Sept 3, 2020
Seminar 2: Reasons to be excited about current efforts in glycoproteomics, Oct 1, 2020
Graduate Lecturer, Biochemistry 660, Biochemical Techniques, UW-Madison, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017
Designed and taught three lectures on bioanalytical mass spectrometry to graduate students. Developed and graded two problem sets
to correspond with lectures. Integrated written and oral feedback from Prof. Marv Wickens, other graduate lecturers, and students for
constant improvement in lecture delivery, style, and content.
Guest Lecturer, The Data Revolution in Science and Medicine, UW-Madison, Fall 2017
Designed and taught one lecture on bioanalytical mass spectrometry and how proteomics fits into the landscape of the big data
revolution to second year MD-PhD students (School of Medicine and Public Health, SMPH).
Graduate Facilitator, Food, Fasting, and Fitness, UW-Madison, Spring 2018
Facilitated a “Metabolic Adaptation” active learning module for a first-year medical student course (SMPH). Worked with a faculty
leader, lead discussion about introductory material, and guided student learning through an online module that the students completed
in a medium group setting with approx. 6 students per group.
Teaching Assistant, Chemistry Department, UW-Madison
CHEM 329, Analytical Chemistry for Majors, approx. 20 hours per week, Spring 2014
CHEM 104, General Chemistry II, approx. 25 hours per week, Fall 2012
Chemistry Tutor, CHEM 104, approx. 2 hours per week, Spring 2014
University 101 Program, Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support, USC, 2009-2011
Peer Leader, UNIV 101, The Student in University, Fall 2009, Fall 2010
Designed and implemented lesson plans, managed student issues, graded papers and projects, and provided feedback on
student presentations; worked as a team with co-instructor, serving as a mentor to 25 freshmen and fostering leadership
development in first-year students.
Peer Leader Captain, EDLP 520 (School of Education Course), The Teacher as Manager, Fall 2011
Co-instructed a 3-hour credit education school course that taught classroom leadership; designed and implemented lesson plans, facilitated discussion about how to grow in their mentor and leadership skills.
Community Tutor and Mentor, Waverly After School Program, Columbia, SC, 2007-2012
Tutored middle school and high school students in math and science subjects, approx. 3 hours per week.
Nick's Peer Review Activity
Peer review has been provided for journals including:
Nature Methods
Nature Biotechnology
Nature Communications
Nature Chemical Biology
Analytical Chemistry
JASMS
ACS Central Science
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics
Journal of Cell Biology
Cell Reports Methods
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
International J. of Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Omics
Personal Background
I am always happy to talk about science, but at any given point you might also hear about a few other topics: my pride in being from Louisville/Kentucky, my love of all things South Carolina Gamecocks, my avid sports fandom across several teams and multiple sports, my passion for exploring new places, and my appreciation for a great street taco. The next time we cross paths, be sure to ask me about recent sports highlights that have me excited, where my last hike took me, what my favorite meal of the past month has been, what TV show has me distracted from writing this week, and whose concert most recently left me humming to myself at my lab bench. Regardless of where our conversation takes us, you will likely hear about my wonderful wife and my adorable chocolate lab, both who keep this great adventure fun.
