Faculty: Diwakar Shukla
Scholar: Tianhao Yu
Faculty Spotlight: Diwakar Shukla
Diwakar Shukla is an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also an affiliate faculty at the Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, Department of Plant Biology, Bioengineering and Chemistry. His research work focuses on understanding the complex molecular processes in chemical and biomolecular systems using computational and experimental techniques. His research group is interested in deciphering the protein sequence-structure-dynamics-function relationship and its regulation. In MMLI, he works with Huimin Zhao’s group to understand these relationships for enzymes, particularly in predicting properties such as specificity and selectivity. [Click to read more]
What is your background/what did you do before your current role?
I did PhD in chemical engineering from MIT and a postdoctoral research in chemistry at Stanford University before joining the University of Illinois.
What is your current position/short description of what you are working on right now with MMLI.
I am an associate professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at University of Illinois. I am currently working with the Thrust 2 team on developing models for predicting enzyme properties.
What drew you to MMLI (or your lab)?
My research group is interested in deciphering the protein sequence-structure-dynamics-function relationship and its regulation. In MMLI, I am working with the Huimin Zhao’s group to understand these relationship for enzymes with particular emphasis on predicting properties such as specificity and selectivity.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend time with my family especially with my son, Eshaan and daughter, Ella. Occasionally, I will pull out the telescope and look at the stars. Champaign-Urbana is a great place for this hobby due to the limited light pollution.
Fun fact (or extremely average fact) about yourself you would like to share.
My research group logo is a cat working on a computer. The group members have eight pet cats and one pet dog who occasionally visit our group offices
Scholar Spotlight: Tianhao Yu
Tianhao Yu is a graduate student in Huimin Zhao’s group working to develop a functionally conditioned protein generative model in MMLI after earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester. He’s currently on the job market as he wraps up his PhD work in Zhao lab. [Click to read more]
What is your background and describe your current work/role/lab and the project you are most excited to be working on right now.
I joined Prof. Huimin Zhao’s lab as a graduate student in 2019, after earning my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester. Currently, the project I’m most excited about is developing a functionally conditioned protein generative model—though I haven’t started yet, I hope to dive into it soon!
What drew you to your project and/or MMLI?
I was drawn to MMLI because of its collaborative, interdisciplinary atmosphere. The projects here are always fascinating and innovative.
What has been your favorite part of being a part of MMLI?
My favorite part of MMLI has definitely been the people. Everyone—PIs, students, and postdocs—is wonderful to work with and incredibly supportive.
How do you like to spend your free time? (or what would you do for fun if you had more free time!)
In my free time, I enjoy board games, especially Euro games or Germany-style board games.
Fun fact (or extremely average fact) about yourself you would like to share.
A fun (average) fact about me is that I have a wall of board games with a collection of over 100 games