Current Lab Members
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Paul Thompson, PhDPrincipal Investigator
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Shruti Choudhary, PhDSmall Molecular Screening Facility (SMSF) ManagerLRB Shruti received her B. Pharm degree from University of Delhi, India and her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She did her postdoc at The Scripps Research Institute, Florida targeting disease causing RNAs with small molecules. In the Thompson Lab, she works as a manager for the Small Molecule Screening Facility (SMSF) carrying out biochemical and molecular biology experiments to screen compound libraries against a variety of drug targets. Outside of lab she enjoys spending time with her cats, hiking, and finding good bakeries/dessert shops. |
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Leonard Barasa, PhDPostdoctoral AssociateLRB 860C Leonard received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, NY, in May 2020. He joined the Thompson lab in November 2020 to work on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of reversible and irreversible inhibitors of the STING, PADs and SARM1 proteins. Besides lab work, Leonard likes watching soccer, reading, watching documentaries, and traveling. |
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Madison Green, PhDPostdoctoral AssociateLRB 860C Madison graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Biochemistry (2012), MS in Chemistry (2015), and PhD in Molecular Bioscience (2021). He joined the Institute of Environmental for a short (6 month) period before completing his PhD at MTSU. He is currently synthesizing proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) targeting PAD4 for degradation to reduce thrombotic activity, a downstream event of PAD4 activation. Outside of lab, he enjoys hiking and exploring with his two children, Eve and Henrik. |
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Sauradip Chaudhuri, PhDPostdoctoral AssociateLRB 860C Sauradip joined the Thompson lab in September 2021. His current research entails the discovery and investigation of small-molecule inhibitors for STING innate immune protein. Trained in supramolecular organic chemistry, Sauradip is currently employing chemical biology and proteomics techniques to understand small molecule target inhibitor design and protein-inhibitor interactions. He has extensive knowledge in the field of cyclodextrin chemistry, as well as its application in designing drug delivery systems. Outside of work, he enjoys playing chess and cricket. |
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Janneke Doedee Isco, BSPhD Candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (BMB)LRB 860C Janneke’s research is focused on characterizing the molecular mechanisms of TIR-1, the worm ortholog of SARM1. Like SARM1, TIR-1 is a NAD glycohydrolase that plays an important role in neuronal cell death. These studies will aid our efforts to develop inhibitors targeting the human enzyme and thereby provide therapies for a broad range of diseases including traumatic brain injury and peripheral neuropathies. Outside lab, Janneke enjoys hiking, knitting, cooking, and playing with her cat. |
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Webb Camille, BSPhD Candidate in the MD/PhD ProgramLRB 860C Webb Camille is a graduate student in the MD/PhD program. He graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology concentrating in biomedical sciences. His work in the Thompson/Xu lab involves investigating the role of citrullination in ALS. Outside the lab he is the president and founder of OneLeaf Corp., a non-profit organization. In his free time, he likes to read, cook, learn new skills and remain active. |
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Anju, Ph.D.Postdoctoral Associate
Anju received her PhD in Chemistry from the department of chemistry Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi (2021). After that she joined as a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Pharmacy in Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea (2021-2022). She joined IIT Delhi (2022) for a short time as a post-doctoral fellow. She joined the Thompson lab in December 2022 to work on the design and synthesis novel NNMT inhibitors. Outside of the lab, she likes watching documentaries, reading and shopping |