Irin Tom
Postdoctoral Researcher @St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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WORK HISTORY
Postdoctoral Researcher @St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
US
Leading cryoEM studies to drive structure-based drug discovery and uncover ligand binding mechanisms to tackle undraggable protein targets.• Designing and executing protein purification and crystallization strategies to obtain near-atomic resolution structures of protein–inhibitor complexes for collaborative research projects.• Developing and applying computational approaches to investigate protein–ligand interactions, emphasizing hydration features and binding dynamics.
EDUCATION
University of Illinois Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali
Integrated BS-MS
University of Illinois at Chicago
Master's degree
ABOUT IRIN TOM
As a Biochemist/Biophysicist, I specialize in tackling complex questions in protein science and drug discovery, with a focus on structural and computational biology. Currently, I’m a Postdoctoral Research Associate at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where I explore how protein-small molecule interactions—modulated by water and temperature—can inform therapeutic strategies for pediatric cancers. My Ph.D. research revealed molecular mechanisms of signal integration in a dual-sensor photoreceptor (PPHK) using cryo-EM, providing the first full-length structures of cyanobacteriochromes and uncovering long-range allosteric dynamics. I\'ve led multiple structural biology projects, established cryo-EM workflows, and solved protein structures using both cryo-EM and crystallography. With extensive training in protein biochemistry, structural techniques, organic synthesis and assay development, I bring both scientific rigor and collaborative leadership to multidisciplinary research. Passionate about science education, I’ve also shaped undergraduate curricula and served as a teaching assistant for 700+ students across 15 semesters. Honors include the BPS SRAA Award, wwPDB Poster Prize, CryoEM Merit Badge, and several competitive travel awards and student presenter awards.
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