Our Team

Mitali Bhate

• Doctoral Student, des Georges Lab, Structural Biology Initiative

Email: mbhate@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Andres Cabezas

Email: acabezas@gradcenter.cuny.edu

I graduated in 2019 from New Jersey City University, the school where I gained valuable research experience in Dr. Yufeng Wei biochemistry lab and mentorship in classes from memorable faculty. I joined the des Georges lab to learn more about the amazing ability of cryo-electron microscopy to obtain snapshots of large proteins, such as calcium ion channels, and ultimately obtain high resolution structural models of them. My research focuses on protein-lipid interactions, as they play a major role in membrane protein function. Aside from lab work, I enjoy sports, gaming with friends, and improving my computer science skills.

Da Cui

• Doctoral Student, des Georges Lab, Structural Biology

Email: dcui@gc.cuny.edu

After getting a B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in mathematics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and two years of research at Tulane University, I joined des Georges’ lab in 2018 with a huge enthusiasm in applying the state-of-the-art technique of cryo-EM to solve the mechanisms of macromolecular assembly related to the Central Dogma. My long-term goal is to start my own lab in a research institute, contributing to the elucidation of key pathways related to cellular physiology with biophysical and biochemical tools, and training future students to continue the scientific development. Outside lab, I enjoy basketball, photography and backpacking. CMOS is one of my best friends now, both in the lab, and high in the remote mountains. 

Amédée des Georges, Ph.D.

• Affiliate Faculty, Structural Biology Initiative
• Associate Professor of Molecular Pathobiology, NYU College of Dentistry

Email: ajd9478@nyu.edu

Since his first class on the subject, Des Georges has been fascinated by protein structures and allosteric control. He found electron microscopy to be a compelling tool to study their function and dynamics, and he joined the Linda Amos lab for his Ph.D to learn its techniques. He subsequently joined the Joachim Frank lab to learn the single-particle technique during his postdoctoral studies.

Still excited by its ability to visualize proteins directly, he continues to foray into the study of protein dynamics with cryo-electron microscopy, trying to learn as much as he can on the allosteric modulation of membrane proteins and on the role this plays in cell signaling. He enjoys exploring science with others, as a conversation in the pursuit of knowledge. He believes in fostering these conversations within his group to make science a fun and exciting pursuit.

The des Georges lab studies structural and functional study of the regulation of large macromolecular complexes using cryo-electron microscopy.

Tara Marcink, Ph.D.

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, des Georges Lab, Structural Biology Initiative

Email: tmarcink@gc.cuny.edu

I obtained my Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri in 2018. My previous research focused on elucidating protein interactions between MT1-MMP, a key metastatic protein, and the cell surface, using various biochemical techniques including NMR, FRET, and electron microscopy to discover how this protein binds to nanodiscs. I continue pursuing my love of structural biochemistry through this unique collaboration between the des Georges Lab at CUNY and Anne Moscona’s and Matteo Porotto’s labs at Columbia University Medical Center where I try to uncover the structure and function of protein complexes involved in respiratory virus fusion with host cells using cry-electron tomography.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, creating digital artwork, and making fancy desserts.

Jack Mechler

• Doctoral Student, des Georges Lab, Structural Biology Initiative

Email: jmechler@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Muhtasim Syed

• Undergraduate, Biology

Email: msyed001@citymail.cuny.edu