Megan KenScripps Fellow, Principal Investigator | mken@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I received my bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013. Throughout my undergraduate career I trained in the lab of Dr. Audrey Odom John, studying antimalarial drug resistance and chemical signaling in the malaria parasite. I then did my MD/PhD training at Duke University. In Hashim Al-Hashimi’s lab, my PhD work combined nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), computational, and cell-based approaches to develop predictive models of RNA structural dynamics in HIV. After finishing this dual-degree program in 2023, I established my group at Scripps Research as part of their early independence program, the Scripps Research Fellows. My group continues this interdisciplinary approach, developing high throughput methods to characterize RNA structural dynamics and target them for antiviral drug development. Outside of lab I have been a lifelong dog-lover, avid reader of both sci-fi/fantasy and nonfiction, and dancer - enjoying many styles from ballet to break-dancing.
Julia PolayLab Administrative Coordinator | jpolay@scripps.edu LinkedIn
While my own background stems from an education and career outside of the sciences, I have spent the better part of the last decade surrounded by chemists. My previous experiences have demanded acute organization, clear communication, and an eye for detail. Nothing gives me more fulfillment than supporting a team of great minds and helping them achieve results.
Suraj UgraniPost-Doctoral Associate | sugrani@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I am a chemical engineer by training with a keen interest in computational structural biology. During my master's and subsequent research fellowship at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, I engaged in experimental research on spray drying of lipid-encapsulated drug nanoparticles and flavor particles. As a chemical engineering PhD student at Purdue University, my work aimed to understand protein-ligand-solvent interactions to improve structure-based drug discovery. I employed molecular modeling techniques alongside machine learning models to build structure-property relationships. Here, my research will focus on addressing the challenges and limitations of applying molecular docking to RNA targets, discovery of RNA therapeutics, and RNA structure prediction.
Deng LiPost-Doctoral Associate | dli@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I earned my Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Northeastern University, where my research focused on developing and applying advanced computational modeling methods, including molecular dynamics simulations, alchemical binding free-energy calculations, induced-fit docking, and machine learning, to elucidate protein dynamics and protein-glycan interactions. Here at Scripps, in Dr. Ken’s lab, I will leverage this computational expertise, integrating it with experimental approaches like NMR and cryo-EM, to investigate RNA dynamics and its interactions with proteins and small molecules, contributing to the development of RNA-based therapeutics. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking and running, and have summited over a third of Taiwan’s 100 highest mountains (all above 3,000 meters).
Catherine LiKellogg Graduate Fellow | cali@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I received my bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, I conducted undergraduate and post-baccalaureate research in the lab of Dr. Shelley Berger, where I studied epigenetic regulators of senescence and aging as well as gene activation by nuclear speckles. I then worked at Aro Biotherapeutics as part of the preclinical research team, developing protein-siRNA conjugate drugs for rare genetic disorders and immune-mediated diseases. After matriculating at the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences in 2023, I joined the Ken Lab as a PhD student. I am interested in studying RNA structural dynamics of HIV using biologically-relevant models and am excited about the application of these findings to RNA-targeted drug development.
Jessica VanceChemBio T32 Graduate Fellow | jvance@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
As a scientist, I am interested in exploring the dynamics and structures of RNA. My current projects in the Ken Lab focus on identifying rare RNA conformational changes through NMR and observing the folding pathway of the HIV genome. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, where I conducted undergraduate research in Prof. Jamie Cate’s lab as part of the NSF Center for Genetically Encoded Materials. There, I explored ways to expand the substrate scope of ribosome mediated peptide bond formation through chemical changes to the translational machinery. Beyond my lab-work, I am passionate about expanding science communication and creating development opportunities in science.
William GuoA*STAR Graduate Fellow | wguo@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I completed my bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. There, I did my undergraduate research in the lab of Prof. Louise Boyle, studying TAPBPR (Tapasin-Binding Protein Related) in a mouse background and its implications for human TAPBPR and cancer. I then worked in the lab of Dr. Leslie Beh at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, developing CRISPR-based gene editing tools. As a scientist, I am broadly interested in nucleic acids, as well as developing tools to understand them. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing sports, chess and hiking the great outdoors of the west coast.
Shawn SandhuResearch Technician | ssandhu@scripps.edu LinkedIn OrcID
I graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. As an undergraduate at MSU, I worked as a researcher in Dr. Marcos Dantus' laboratory to study chemical reactions following strong-field ionization. I combined information from both femtosecond laser experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics to deduce mechanistic details of the reactions studied. After completing my undergrad, I joined Dr. Ken's lab to study the structural dynamics of RNA. I am looking forward to seeing our findings being used to help develop RNA targeting drugs.
Lance LiResearch Technician | lancel@scripps.edu OrcID
I graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate at UW Seattle, I worked as a research assistant in Dr. Bo Zhang’s lab, studying electrochemistry and nanoparticle translocation events. After completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued a master’s degree in Biotechnology at Columbia University, where I worked with Dr. Hashim Al-Hashimi on RNA dynamics. My research focused on developing quantitative and high-throughput methods to predict RNA cellular activity. For my independent project, I combined NMR spectroscopy and UV melting experiments to investigate conformational changes of mismatches under varying pH conditions, aiming to establish a general mechanism for nucleic acid pH adaptation. I am now joining Dr. Ken’s lab to further explore the structural dynamics of RNA, this time using a larger model system.
Kimberly CruzResearch Technician | KimberlyC@scripps.edu LinkedIn
I graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Theater. As an undergraduate, I worked in Dr. Anthony Bell’s lab investigating how peptide nucleic acid modifications influence the structural stability and HMGB1 binding behavior of four-way DNA junctions. I then expanded my research experience at the University of Michigan, studying the maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and the role of extracellular matrix interactions in regulating contractile development. Most recently, in Dr. Ryan McGorty’s lab, I examined how ionizing radiation alters the viscoelastic properties of alginate hydrogels containing breast cancer cells to advance 3D in vitro tumor modeling. These experiences have shaped my interest in nucleic acid engineering and its impact on cellular behavior. I am now joining Dr. Ken’s team and am excited to explore RNA structural dynamics and its potential as a therapeutic modality.
Previous members
Research TechniciansJacob Scherba LinkedIn OrcID | 2024-2025
Currently a PhD student in Bioengineering at The University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Interns
Ella Kim LinkedIn | Summer-Fall 2025
Currently an undergraduate student at the University of California San Diego
Priya Singh LinkedIn | Summer 2025
Currently an undergraduate student at the University of California San Diego
Emily Lahr LinkedIn | Summer 2025
Currently an undergraduate student at Southwestern College
Paolo Sinopoli LinkedIn | Summer 2025
Currently an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University
Jenny Nguyen LinkedIn | Summer 2024
Currently a PhD student in Biochemistry at Colorado University - Boulder
Barbara Zazueta Gonzalez LinkedIn | Summer-Fall 2024
Currently an undergraduate student at San Diego State University