Volume 10, Issue 1 | Winter 2025

Science Feature

Knowledge Changing Life in the Department of Biophysics

In November 2024, Drs. Joseph E. Kerschner and Deborah Costakos visited the Department of Biophysics as part of the Rounding with the Deans of the School of Medicine initiative.

Please read the highlights from their visit (PDF).

"The Department of Biophysics embodies the best of MCW. I am proud of their energy of innovation and spirit of collaboration as they work to advance MCW’s mission of knowledge changing life."

Pictured (left to right): Joseph Kerschner, Francesca Marassi, Deborah Costakos

Graduate Student Q&A

Learn about the students in our Biophysics Graduate Program.

During my undergraduate years, I immersed myself in biophysics research in Dr. Brian Bennett's laboratory, where I used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate how reactive oxygen species affect mitochondria in cancer tissue. This transformative experience ignited my passion for research and EPR spectroscopy. Following my graduation in 2019, I joined Dr. Michael Lerch's laboratory at MCW. My research here has focused on developing new EPR technologies and studying the structure–function relationships of G protein-coupled receptors. The exceptional mentorship from Dr. Lerch and the collaborative environment within both the Department of Biophysics and the Lerch lab have contributed immensely to my scientific growth.

Research Interests: I am passionate about exploring the potential applications of EPR and am committed to advancing EPR technology to expand the scope of possible experiments. Additionally, I aim to deepen our understanding of the structural features of G protein-coupled receptors that dictate transducer specificity, contributing to the development of targeted, mechanism-driven drug discovery strategies.

Future Plans: I plan to publish at least two papers this year and defend my dissertation. 

Fun Fact: I enjoy working on cars and driving them quickly on racetracks like Road America.

Biophysics Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Seminar Series

Our Spring 2025 Seminar Series takes place most Fridays throughout the semester, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., in MFRC 2063 (except as otherwise noted). For details, please visit the Biophysics Events page.

Department News

Welcome

• Heidi Geiger (department administrator)
• Kyle Johnson (postdoctoral researcher, Sidabras lab)

Congratulations

• Mona Al-Gizawiy received a first-place poster award from the 10th Annual Pediatric Cancer Symposium.
• Nicholas Cina received a Graduate Student Travel Award 2025 for the conference Biophysical Society 69th Annual Meeting.
• Bryna Goeckner was accepted into the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute for spring 2025. Each year, this elite program offers hands-on training in leadership, communications, and policy advocacy to 25–30 women from Wisconsin. 
• Julian Grosskopf, Jason Sidabras, & Michael Lerch published an article in Protein Science.
• Aleksandra Grzelakowska, Balaraman Kalyanaraman, & Jacek Zielonka published an article in Redox Biology and Chemistry.
• Balaraman Kalyanaraman published an article in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
• Fabrizio Marinelli published an article in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B.
• Melissa Prah & Kathleen Schmainda published an article in American Journal of Neuroradiology.
• Kathleen Schmainda published an article in Radiology.
• Steven Traeger, James Woodcock, & Jeannette Vasquez Vivar published an article in Redox Biology.
• Lydia Washechek was promoted to grants operations coordinator sr.
• Nicholas Wood was awarded a three-year, $225,000 F32 award titled "Multi-disciplinary analysis of the role of PagC for outer membrane vesicle biogenesis" from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.
• Nicholas Wood published an article in Microbiology Spectrum.
• Jacek Zielonka published three articles (one, two, & three) in Redox Biology and Chemistry.

Heidi Geiger Named Department Administrator

She brings extensive experience in financial management, grant development, nonprofit management, and strategic planning, enriched by her recent position as as Division Administrator of Neurology and Administrator of the Adult Outpatient Neuropsychology at MCW.

Please join us in welcoming Heidi to our department.

Biophysics Program Director Transition 

Program directorship for the Biophysics Graduate Program transitioned to Neil Hogg, PhD, as of January 1, 2025. Dr. Hogg was program director of the Biophysics Graduate Program before Dr. Candice Klug stepped in about 12 years ago; he is very active in the Graduate School as the Associate Dean, and well suited for this role. Welcome, Dr. Hogg! And thank you, Dr. Klug, for your leadership!

Biophysics Vice Chairs Appointed

Francesca Marassi, PhD, professor and chair of Biophysics, and eminent scholar, announced three new vice chair appointments in the Department of Biophysics at MCW.

Neil Hogg Appointed as Vice Chair for Education in Department of Biophysics

Dr. Hogg earned a BSc honors degree in biochemistry at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, and MSc in molecular biochemistry and PhD in biological chemistry from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. He completed postdoctoral training in free radical biology in the MCW Department of Biophysics, and was appointed as assistant professor in the Department of Biophysics in 1996. Dr. Hogg’s research focuses on the chemical biology of free radicals and oxidizing species, with particular focus on nitric oxide and its metabolites, and post-translational oxidative modification of proteins as a signaling mechanism.

Candice Klug Appointed as Vice Chair for Research in Department of Biophysics

Dr. Klug earned a BS degree in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and PhD in biophysics from MCW. After completing postdoctoral training in ophthalmic biophysical chemistry at the University of California Los Angeles Jules Stein Eye Institute, she returned to the MCW Department of Biophysics as a faculty member in 2001. Dr. Klug has a productive and collaborative research program that has been funded by National Institutes of Health for her entire career. Her research focuses on the structure and functional dynamics of soluble and membrane proteins, most specifically on bacterial proteins involved in lipid transport and antibiotic resistance. She uses and develops EPR spectroscopy technology for the broader biomedical research community.

Jeannette Vasquez Vivar Appointed as Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs in Department of Biophysics

Dr. Vasquez Vivar earned a BS degree in biochemistry from the Universidad de Concepción in Chile, and PhD in biochemistry from the Universidad de Sao Paulo in Brazil. She completed postdoctoral training in biochemistry at the Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil, and a research fellowship in pathology at MCW. She joined the MCW Department of Biophysics as assistant professor in 2001. Dr. Vasquez Vivar’s research is supported by the National Institutes of Health. In recent years, her laboratory has focused on investigating redox mechanisms altering tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism leading perinatal brain injury and acquired motor disorders.

Featured Pets

Biophysics News is a quarterly MCW departmental newsletter aimed at enhancing departmental engagement through information and good news sharing. Do you have information you’d like to share—news, events, photos, a photo of your pet? Send it to Lydia.

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