Affiliation(s):

• Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University

We are a vibrant Computational Biophysics Group at Wayne State University. The central goal of our work is to understand the fundamental mechanism of biomolecular recognition and diffusion processes by using theoretical and classical mechanical models. Our research involves the development and application of computational methods to address biologically and medically important problems. For example, we study how drugs bind to HIV protease and how sugar attachments on protein surfaces influence the COVID-19 vaccine development. We are at the interface of physics, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and computer science. The applications of such knowledge can cross boundaries in innovative ways, fill recognized gaps, or take advantage of new opportunities.

I have loved math since I was a kid. It is beautiful to rule and describe living creatures and our surroundings by just some symbols and equations. This inspired me to devote myself to theoretical and computational research focusing on something directly related to human health.

I would like to involve more in newly-developed machine learning algorithms in computational biology studies. They have emerged as novel tools in studying molecular mechanisms underlying a wide range of diseases. As a vast array of data from multidisciplinary areas, the new algorithms will serve as a bridge to guide clinicians in a better decision.

Banana Physics: A Young Physicist’s Guide to Understanding the Universe by Adnan Contractor. The book makes theoretical physics fun and explains physics concepts through quirky banana analogies. Even high school or middle school readers could understand it.

I don’t have a favorite one. But, throughout my career, I have been very fortunate to have several excellent mentors, like my PhD and postdoc advisor. They are all great role models for me to learn. They even guide me in addition to my academic life.