Emily Schmitz

Currently working in the lab of Dr. Erkan Karakas investigating the structure and gating mechanics of the human type 3 Inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor, using a combination of biochemical and biophysical techcniques.

Participated in a 10-week internship at Bayer CropScience NA Research Headquarters working on discovery research. Developed biochemical assays to test perturbations in protein dynamics and protein folding. Presented the findings to relevant stakeholders at different audience levels.

Laboratory instructor for one section of Fundamentals of Microbiology, an introductory microbiology course. Designed weekly quizzes and oversaw lab practical set up, content, and deployment. Prepared weekly pre-lab lectures on topics ranging from bacterial morphology and metabolism to types of differential tests.

Participated in a 9-week program under the Molecular and Cellular Biology subprogram of the Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy. Interned in the lab of Timothy Cover, where I worked on a project examining the effects of changing growth conditions on Helicobacter pylori growth and protein secretion.

Laboratory instructor for one section of Fundamentals of Microbiology, an introductory microbiology course. Designed weekly quizzes and oversaw lab practical set up, content, and deployment. Prepared weekly pre-lab lectures on topics ranging from bacterial morphology and metabolism to types of differential tests.

My dissertation was completed in the lab of Dr. Erkan Karakas, focusing on elucidating the structure and gating mechanisms of the human type 3 Inositol trisphosphate receptor.

Received Bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minor in biology. Undergraduate research project focused on screening novel microbial species for biosurfactant production for potential usage in oil remediation efforts.