Katherine Rush, PhD
Education
BS in Chemistry University of Tennessee 2013
PhD in Chemical Biology University of Michigan 2018
Professional Experience
2018-2023 Postdoctoral Researcher, Oregon Health and Science University & Reed College, Portland, OR
2020-2022 Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Reed College, Portland, OR
Innovation
My research group is interested in metalloenzyme catalysis and spectroscopic characterization of catalytic intermediates in order to yield insights into the molecular basis of biological phenomena. The enzyme systems we are currently studying are crucial to thyroid hormone homeostasis, oxygen activation and intracellular redox balance, biosynthesis of antimicrobial natural products, and mercury binding/transformation. Selenium-containing amino acids are a particular interest in our laboratory, which we aim to use as a labelling tool for element-specific spectroscopic characterization and understand their functionality within biological catalysis.
We use a variety of biochemical (heterologous protein expression, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis, enzyme functional assays), analytical (ICP-OES, protein chromatography, LC-MS), and spectroscopic (UV-visible, infrared, and X-ray absorption) techniques. A primary focus in our lab is applying X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and emerging XAS high resolution techniques to seleno- and metalloprotein systems relevant to human health.
Teaching
BCHE 7270 - Biochemical Research Techniques
BCHE 5180/6180 - Biochemistry I
