YSIG Spotlight Pop-Up-24

The ACA is proud to support a vibrant community of young scientists, and we encourage you to connect with them. Last year, the YSIG organized a virtual session featuring the inspiring journeys of two outstanding members, along with insights from three career scientists who shared their experiences in structural science. We’re excited to bring you another series this year!

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Join us on October 11, 2024 @ 12 PM ET for an exciting YSIG pop-up Zoom event, featuring presentations from 2024 Poster Prize Winners. 

Prasadika Samarawickrama

What is the best target protein density for TELSAM fusion crystallization?

Jacquelyn Roberts

Structural and functional analysis of the Legionella pneumophila Dot/Icm Type IV secretion system
   
   

REGISTER

Join us on November 15, 2024 @ 12 PM ET for an exciting YSIG pop-up Zoom event, featuring presentations from 2024 Poster Prize Winners. 

Wisdom Abiodun Chhandosee Ganguly

Register Now and Stay Tuned For More Details!

 

Our spotlights will share their background and research, providing a glimpse into the future of our field. Each presenter will have 20-25 minutes to expand upon their abstract, followed by approximately 5 minutes for audience questions. Whether you're eager to hear about their research or want to show your support for emerging leaders in crystallography, this event is sure to be both engaging and inspiring.

YSIG warmly invites young professionals in structural science to share their work with the broader community. Nominations for speakers for a YSIG Pop-Up Zoom event can be submitted by colleagues, mentors, or the candidates themselves. Please send your nominations to the YSIG leadership

If you're excited about our YSIG Pop-Up Zoom event, you may also enjoy our Young Scientist Spotlight initiative, where we highlight the profiles of emerging ACA members.

 

     Past Pop-Ups

 September 13, 2024

Hosted by YSIG Representative to Council, Kenneth Childers, we were introduced to presenters Manju Ojha and Nicholas Bragagnolo.  Both presenters were winners of the 2024 ACA TMT Contest in Denver.  

Manju, a graduate student at the University of Maryland, presented her research on the structure of translation elements in plant viral RNA, focusing on RNA crystallography challenges and the role of Fab antibodies in RNA crystallization. She discussed the unique structure of the Saguro Cactus Virus translation enhancer and its implications for viral genome translation. Manju also highlighted the importance of the G18 nucleotide in RNA-protein interactions and her ongoing efforts to understand these mechanisms using various experimental techniques.

Nicholas, a graduate student at York University, shared his work on the structural dynamics of bacterial secretion systems, emphasizing the type 4 secretion system's role in gene transfer and antibiotic resistance. He detailed his challenges in protein purification and crystallization and the use of AlphaFold to gain structural insights. He also discussed his research on protein dynamics and stability, particularly in relation to bacterial secretion systems and their potential as drug targets. Nicholas concluded by exploring future research directions and the use of cryo-electron microscopy for structural studies.

October 25, 2022

The second YSIG Spotlight Series in October of 2022, featured ACA members Allen G. Oliver, Corie Ralston, and James Kaduk, who shared their extensive experiences in crystallography. Allen discussed his career transition from New Zealand to the U.S., focusing on teaching and research in X-ray crystallography. Corie highlighted her role in developing X-ray footprinting and managing crystallography beamlines at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Jim recounted his career in crystallographic problem-solving, including his work with major corporations and contributions to powder diffraction, along with his extensive involvement in professional organizations and education. The event showcased their diverse career paths and significant contributions to the field.

September 22, 2022

The first of the YSIG Spotlight Series took place in September of 2022 and featured two early-career researchers presenting their work. Nathaniel Barker, a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University, discussed his research on platinum-based vapochromic sensors and polymorphic platinum salts through X-ray crystallography, as well as his role in managing X-ray diffraction experiments at Northwestern's IMSERC. Jadon Blount, a recent graduate from Western Washington University, shared his work on studying sortase enzymes using computational molecular modeling in Dr. Jeanine Amacher's lab, focusing on uncovering unique mechanisms in structural biology. The event included presentations and audience discussions.