Volume 10, Issue 4 | Fall 2025

Science Feature

Structural Biology of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer and Rare Diseases 

By Yaqiang Wang, PhD

RNA is central to human disease yet remains underexploited as a drug target. My lab at MCW investigates how RNA structure, dynamics, and molecular recognition govern function in cancer and repeat-expansion disorders. The team applies an integrative structural biology toolkit—cryo-EM, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and quantitative biochemistry—together with biophysical screens and cell-based functional assays. Current directions include defining druggable RNA motifs and the structure features that enable selective small-molecule recognition, mapping interfaces in long noncoding RNAs implicated in oncogenic signaling, and dissecting toxic RNA–protein assemblies in repeat-expansion diseases. By linking atomic-level structures to mechanism and phenotype, the lab aims to identify tractable RNA pockets, validate conformation-selective ligands and antisense oligonucleotides, and build translational assays that link structure and function relationship.

Through this work, I seek to establish new molecular principles for structure-based RNA therapeutics and advance RNA-targeted drug discovery, translating mechanistic insight into practical strategies for precision medicine in RNA-driven diseases.

Introducing the Wang lab: Riley Peterson (left), Yaqiang Wang (center), Neha Ajjampore (right)

Graduate Student Q&A

Learn about the students in our Biophysics Graduate Program.

Research Interests: My research interests lie in studying the conformational space of proteins with a focus on G protein-coupled receptors. I enjoy using computational tools integrated with experimental data to elucidate the protein/G protein-coupled receptor conformational landscape. 

Future Plans: I will be returning to medical school in January 2026 to finish my MD. I'm not dead set on a specialty yet, but I have interests in going into radiation oncology, hematology/oncology, or otolaryngology with a focus on head/neck cancer. 

Fun Fact: I love being active in things like CrossFit, hiking, and volleyball. My favorite hobby is archery, where I shoot competitively for a local shop. I also love to keep up with the latest computer software, hardware, and computational tools just for fun!

Biophysics Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Candice Klug Named 2025 Graduate School Alumna of the Year

“This honor is especially meaningful to me as my entire faculty career has been dedicated to research and education at MCW,” states Dr. Klug, who is currently the James S. Hyde Professor of Biophysics, Vice Chair for Research in Biophysics, and Director of National Biomedical EPR Center at MCW. She first joined MCW as a research technologist in Dr. Jimmy Feix’s lab and was subsequently recruited into the MCW Biophysics Graduate Program in 1995 when she became part of the first official entering class of the new graduate school. She earned her PhD in Biophysics in 1999. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA, Dr. Klug returned to MCW as a faculty member in 2001. “As a graduate student, Candice took ownership of her research from the outset and developed a compelling vision for her project’s direction. It was clear that she was an outstanding candidate for leading and directing her own laboratory,” says Dr. Feix.

At MCW, Dr. Klug has been principal investigator on fifteen National Institutes of Health grants and numerous collaborative projects that focus on protein structure and dynamics, and the development and application of EPR technology to advance biomedical knowledge. As a respected member of the national and international community of EPR scientists, Dr. Klug continues to build and sustain collaborative partnerships among researchers both within and outside of MCW. Dr. Klug has been actively involved in graduate education as a director of and mentor for the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences and the Biophysics Graduate Program; in institutional service as a chair and member of countless MCW committees, including faculty councils; in service to the alumni community as a past member of the Alumni Board; and in community service as an associate editor for the International EPR/ESR Society newsletter and an active reviewer for NIH. She is also an ELAM Fellow (’24), which is a national recognition of her leadership in academic medicine. “Candice embodies the best of MCW,” states Biophysics chair Dr. Francesca Marassi.

Congratulations, Candice!

Seminar Series

Our Fall 2025 Biophysics Seminar Series takes place most Fridays throughout the semester, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., in MFRC 2063 (except as otherwise noted). 

Please reach out to Meghan Byrne (mbyrne@mcw.edu) if you'd like to be included on the Biophysics Seminar Series mailing list.

Department News

Welcome

• Neha Ajjampore (research technologist I, Wang lab)
• Keri Blaszczynski (business operations coordinator) 
• Matea Juric (research technologist II, Zielonka lab)
• Riley Petersen (postdoctoral researcher, Wang lab)

Congratulations

• Anand Anilkumar won the Best Poster Award at the European Federation of EPR Summer School, which was held at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom in Aug–Sept 2025.
• Patrick Brennan, Julian Grosskopf, Alex Garces, Cassie Zehr, and Michael Lerch published an article in Current Opinion in Structural Biology.
• Nick Cina successfully defended his dissertation, titled "Conformational and Structural Analysis of the E. coli LPS Transport Complex LptB2FGC using EPR Spectroscopy and Complementary Biophysical Techniques," for his PhD (advisor: Candice S. Klug, PhD).
• Nick Cina will join the Klug lab as a postdoctoral researcher (effective Nov. 1).
• Alex Garces joined the Lerch lab as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Julian Grosskopf won the Student Poster Award at the Membrane Folding Gordon Research Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, in July 2025.
• Candice Klug was awarded a five-year $2.22 million R35GM158260 grant, titled "Functional dynamics of essential bacterial proteins and EPR technology development," from NIH/NIGMS.
• Candice Klug was appointed a permanent member of the NIH Study Section MRAB (Maximizing Investigators Research Award - B).
• Vanessa Leone and Fabrizio Marinelli published an article in Current Opinion in Structural Biology.
• Francesca Marassi published an article in Current Opinion in Structural Biology.
• Jason Sidabras published an article in International Journal of Radiation Biology and an article in Biophysical Journal.
• Aleksandra Winiarz published an article in Neuro-Oncology.
• Nick Wood's article was selected for the MCW Postdoc Paper of the Season Award for spring 2025, and Nick was invited to present a summary of his award-winning publication during a keynote lecture at the MCW Postdoc Research Symposium.
• Robert Wujek joined the Schmainda lab as a postdoctoral researcher.

Candice Klug celebrating receipt of her R35.

Nick Cina (right) and advisor Candice Klug (left) celebrating Nick's successful dissertation defense. 

Alex Garces (right) and advisor Mike Lerch (left) celebrating Alex's successful dissertation defense back in July. 

Alex Garces, Fabrizio Marinelli, Nick Cina, & Candice Klug (pictured above) as well as Jacek Zielonka (not pictured) attended the gala dinner, held in Wieliczka Salt Mine, at the XIIIth International EPR Workshop in Krakow, Poland.

Years of Service

These Biophysics faculty were honored for their 40 years of service to MCW. Thank you for your contributions to Biophysics and MCW!

• Jimmy B. Feix, PhD (professor)
• Balaraman Kalyanaraman, PhD (professor)

Department of Biophysics Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Department of Biophysics Awards!

• James S. Hyde Research Award: Jason Sidabras
  This award recognizes a faculty member whose research has advanced our
  fundamental understanding of biological systems through the development of novel
  techniques, concepts, theory, models, or applications.
• Biophysics Scholar Award: Nicholas Cina and Julian Grosskopf
  This award recognizes an outstanding contribution to biophysical research by a
  graduate or postdoctoral scholar.
• Biophysics Outstanding Service Award: Lydia Washechek
  This award recognizes exemplary service and contributions beyond achievements in
  research.

Below are photographs from the 2025 Biophysics Award event:

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.

Medical College of Wisconsin |  8701 Watertown Plank Road  |  Milwaukee, WI 53226
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to Biophysics News.
 © 2025 Medical College of Wisconsin. All rights reserved.

MCW.EDU     |     INFOSCOPE     |     CONTACT US

Connect to MCW on Social