National Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility Team Members
The National Cryo-EM Facility (NCEF) consists of a core team that provides cryo-EM services to cancer researchers. The Frederick National Lab Advisory Committee and an ad hoc NCEF working group provides strategic oversight and recommendations to the core team.
National Cryo-EM Team
Senior Microscopist
Thomas Edwards earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Virology focusing on structural studies of intra-cellular virus induced membranes formed during infection by alphaviruses and flaviviruses. In addition to virology, Thomas has expertise in electron tomography and single particle cryo-EM.
Microscopist
Adam Wier earned his Ph.D in structural and molecular biology with a focus on structural studies of protein complexes regulating transcription. He has experience in single particle cryoEM, sample preparation, data collection, and data processing.
Microscopist
Tara Fox earned her PhD from Case Western Reserve University focusing on Structural Biology methods for analyzing engineered viruses and for evaluating nanoparticles in development for drug delivery. She has expertise in single particle data collection, tomography, structural analysis, data management for cryoEM, and Bash scripting in various scientific computing environments.
Microscopist
Zhiqing (Jenny) Wang earned her Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. She had been working on structural studies of viruses and viral proteins using CryoEM and X-ray crystallography for more than 10 years before joining NCEF team. She has experience in sample preparation, data collection, and data processing.
Data Architect
Matt Hutchison earned his BS in Chemistry and has significant experience developing backend and web applications in a variety of languages. In addition, he has knowledge of data management and system administration, and has a background in laboratory auditing and materials testing.
Software Engineer
Joseph Finney earned his BS in Systems Engineering with experience in systems integration and process improvement. He has worked in a variety of languages creating united workflows from discrete software packages. In addition, he has a working knowledge of data management and system administration, and has a background in statistical analysis and system testing.
Scientific Project Manager
Helen Wang earned her MBA with a focus in Project Management and holds a PMP certification. She has worked in academic research in Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics. In addition, she has worked in Infectious Disease research in government labs, and has private industry experience in Project Management on government contract projects.
NCEF Advisory Group
Frederick National Lab Advisory Committee (FNLAC) reviews the state of research at the FNLCR and makes recommendations for the best use of its capabilities and infrastructure.
Ad Hoc NCEF Working Group
An ad hoc advisory committee composed of members of the cryo-EM and structural biology communities provides advice to the NCI on operational aspects of the facility. The advisory committee members are listed below.
Ad Hoc NCEF Working Group Chair
Steven J. Ludtke, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Co-Director, National Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Center for Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Ad Hoc NCEF Working Group Members
Edward H. Egelman, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Charlottesville, Virginia
Angela M. Gronenborn, Ph.D.
UPMC Rosalind Franklin Professor and Chair, Department of Structural Biology
Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering
Director, Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Grant J. Jensen, Ph.D.
Professor of Biophysics and Biology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
Z. Hong Zhou, Ph.D.
Director, Electron Imaging Center for NanoMachines
Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Member, California NanoSystems Institute
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Executive Secretary
Gary Robinson, Ph.D.
NCEF Program Officer
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Frederick, Maryland