Graduate Students
Ricardo Colon
I was born in Hialeah, Florida and received my B.S. in Chemistry from Florida International University. I am on the Environmental Chemistry PhD track at FIU. My research focus is on characterizing terpene biosynthesis in K. brevis, a dinoflagellate with the potential for multiple pathways, which is responsible for Florida Red Tide. I enjoy watching Game of Thrones, VICE Documentaries, and cooking.
Anupama Tuladar, Ph.D. 2018
Dissertation Title: Interaction of high MW compounds with alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl with mammalian and Drosphila thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)
Anupama Tuladhar is a graduate student from Nepal, Kathmandu who is working towards becoming an analytical chemist. She loves performing research in interdisciplinary fields like analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Currently she is studying thioredoxin reductase inhibitors and activators.
Wei Chen, Ph.D. 2016
Dissertation Title: Characterization of interaction between brevetoxins and its native receptor and identification of the role of brevetoxin in NPQ in Karenia brevis
I was born in Guiyang, a wonderful city in China. When I was 1 year old I moved with my parents to a modern and attractive city known Hangzhou, China. I got my bachelor degree in pharmaceutical engineering in Wuhan, China. In 2011 I was accepted by FIU to pursue Ph. D degree in chemistry. I love to travel, to learn different culture and cook various foods. I believe the process in pursuing Ph.D is the most valuable and significant journey in my life. After that I plan to work in chemical or pharmaceutical industry. Maybe I will start another journey.
Pengfei Sun, Ph.D. 2015
Dissertation Title: Characterization of an epoxide hydrolase from Karenia brevis.
I am from China. I joined Dr. Rein's group to pursue my Ph.D in Biochemistry in 2009, when I graduated from Shandong University in China with BS in Biology. I really like Miami, like Florida, even though I was born and grown in the city with four seasons. Here I can enjoy many outdoor sports in all year round, like basketball, and swimming. In addition, I am interested in Chinese history and literature.
Ryan Cassell, Ph.D. 2014
Dissertation Title: Synthesis of brevetoxin photoaffinity and fluorescent probes and an alternative synthetic route to photoaffinity labels.
Bio: I did my undergraduate studies at FSU before joining Dr. Rein's group at FIU in order to pursue my PhD in organic chemistry. I am interested in natural products chemistry, organic synthesis, abiogenesis and molecular self assembly. When I am not reading books or online searching through random topics, I am usually out enjoying the typical Florida life (i.e. being at the beach, swimming, snorkeling, drinking beer under palm trees). Hmmmm I also love martial arts!