Cells are always changing. How do they keep working reliably? I study how membranes are built, moved and recycled, and how chromosomes are passed accurately to new cells.
From molecular interactions to the architecture of cells, physical principles connect biological function across scales.
Two seemingly different biological questions, connected by the physics of dynamic organization.
How cells keep their inner structures working while membranes are built, moved and recycled.
How cells organize and separate chromosomes so each new cell receives the right genetic information.
How can biological structures remain reliable yet adapt, reorganize, and respond to change? Homeostasis and fidelity share this underlying challenge.
Maintain function despite fluctuations
Reconfigure structure when needed
Create architecture from local interactions
Act at the right place and time
We combine simple physical models, computer simulations of moving molecules and experiments to study the same problem from different angles.
How does a flat membrane curve into a new cellular compartment? We combine microscope images with physical models to explain changes in membrane shape.
How do cellular compartments share the lipids needed to build their membranes? We use molecular simulations to study proteins that bridge nearby membranes.
How does a cell break down the right membrane at the right time? We study how membranes are recognized, become ready to fuse and are safely recycled.
What happens when many proteins gather in one place? We study how droplet-like assemblies help cells recycle materials, bring membranes together and change shape.
Why does a chromosome need the right shape to separate correctly? Physical models show how long DNA molecules can be packed and pulled apart during cell division.
How does a dividing cell pull chromosomes apart without mistakes? We study the connections that hold chromosomes, the signals that correct errors and the fibers that move them.
My work began with theoretical physics and mathematical models of chromosome organization and membrane remodeling. I now combine molecular simulations with experimental studies to investigate the mechanisms behind these processes.
Watch simulations →Physical models help us explore how membranes bend, long DNA molecules fold, and proteins come together to build functional structures.
Molecular dynamics is a computer method for following how atoms or groups of atoms move. We use it to study changes in molecular shape, how molecules assemble and interact, and how forces at the molecular scale give rise to biological functions.
Imaging, structural biology and biochemical measurements help test predictions and connect molecular mechanisms to cellular function.
From molecular interactions to cellular organization — simulations connected to individual research topics.
A bridge-shaped Atg2 protein connects two membranes and allows lipids to move between them.
Explore research topic →A membrane lipid is extracted toward the catalytic center of the Atg15 lipase.
Explore research topic →A molecular simulation illustrates STX17 transmembrane-segment insertion in a PI4P-containing membrane.
Explore research topic →A physical simulation of two chromosomes becoming organized and moving apart.
Explore research topic →Eight CCAN units are organized through DNA and four miniCENP-C dimers in a molecular simulation.
Explore research topic →Computational methods and resources that connect physical models to biomolecular mechanisms.
All-atom molecular dynamics of proteins, lipids and membranes.
Coarse-grained simulations to investigate larger molecular assemblies and membrane dynamics.
Protein-complex structure prediction and preparation of molecular simulation systems.
Large-scale biomolecular simulations on a high-performance computing platform.
Publicly archived research outputs, including simulation codes and datasets, on Zenodo.
Eight recent publications from 2024–2026, spanning mathematical models, molecular mechanisms and cellular organization. Find more publications on the individual research pages.
Molecular simulations and experiments reveal how Atg15 recognizes curved membranes and breaks down their lipids.
Membrane curvature · lipid degradationMolecular simulations and experiments reveal how phosphorylation regulates lipid transport between membranes by Atg2.
Phosphorylation · lipid transferMolecular simulations and experiments show how DNA binding supports the shell-like architecture of the kinetochore.
Kinetochore architecture · multiscale simulationMathematical modeling and experiments show how phosphorylation changes the properties of protein condensates to promote autophagy.
Condensates · selective autophagyMathematical modeling and experiments show how osmotic pressure generated by protein assemblies drives membrane protrusions.
Membrane blebbing · physical mechanismsThree-dimensional imaging and mathematical modeling reveal common membrane shapes during autophagosome formation.
Membrane geometry · mathematical theorySingle-nucleosome imaging and mathematical modeling show how condensins and nucleosome interactions constrain chromosomes in distinct ways.
Chromatin dynamics · mesoscale simulationMolecular simulations and experiments show how PI4P promotes STX17 membrane insertion and controls its recruitment to completed autophagosomes.
Membrane insertion · autophagosome maturationMoving from physical models of organization toward experimentally testable molecular mechanisms.
Polymer simulations establish physical models linking chromosome geometry to segregation speed.
Mathematical modeling connects chromosome shaping with segregation.
Membrane mechanics explains autophagosome shape transitions.
Quantitative microscopy and simulations connect scales.
Membrane turnover, lipid flow and kinetochore architecture.
I am a computational and theoretical biophysicist interested in how living matter self-organizes. Trained in theoretical physics, I use mathematical modeling and molecular dynamics to understand how cells build membranes and establish the physical structures needed for accurate chromosome inheritance.
For scientific discussions, collaborations and inquiries.
