Education
B.Sc. Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, CUNY - College of Staten Island, 2013
PhD Biochemistry, Rutgers University, 2013 to present
Research Interests
Rad23, ubiquitin, proteasomal degradation.
Research Summary
The ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP) is the primary mechanism for removal of cellular proteins and is conserved from yeast to humans. Proteins that are targeted for degradation are covalently linked to a small protein called ubiquitin and subsequently degraded by the 26S proteasome. The functions of many players in this pathway are well characterized, although key regulatory aspects of this mechanism remain to be elucidated. For instance, the idea that nuclear proteins are degraded inside the nucleus is not supported by strong experimental data. In contrast, there is compelling evidence that nuclear proteins are degraded following their export. In my studies, I am investigating the hypothesis that a nuclear-cytoplasmic transport mechanism is required to transport nuclear substrates to cytosolic proteasomes. My efforts are to characterize the role of Rad23 and other shuttle factors in translocating nuclear polyubiquitinylated proteins to cytosolic proteasomes at the nuclear surface. To achieve this, I am employing both genetic and molecular approaches.
Awards & Honors
NSF GRFP 2015-2018
NIH Biotechnology Training Program Fellowship 2014 & 2019
Valedictorian CUNY-CSI Class 2013
UNCF/Merck undergraduate fellowship 2012
Publications
Miao C, Schiffhauer E, Okeke E, Robinson D, Luo T. "Parallel Compression Is a Fast Low-Cost Assay for the High-Throughput Screening of Mechanosensory Cytoskeletal Proteins in Cells." ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2017 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28795554)
El Idrissi A, Okeke E, Yan X, Sidime F, Neuwirth LS. "Taurine regulation of blood pressure and vasoactivity." Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23392950)
Representative Graduate Courses Taken
Fundamentals in Molecular Bioscience
Proteasome System and its Role in Disease
Biophysical Chemistry I
Biochemical Engineering
Evolution of Emerging Virus
Toll-Like Receptors in Health and Disease
Pluripotent and Somatic Stem Cells
Leadership & Outreach
Mentor at iMentor NYC
Volunteer at Million Trees NYC
Global Classroom Guide at One To World
Volunteer at DHS