Dr. Mary Konkle
Dr. Mary Konkle
<b>Department: </b>Chemistry<br><b>Research Area: </b>Structure and function of the protein mitoNEET, a protein implicated in type-2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and breast cancer.
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Department: Chemistry

Research Focus: The Konkle lab studies the structure and function of the protein mitoNEET, a protein implicated in type-2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and breast cancer.

Potential Student Project: MtioNEET is a protein that contains a [2Fe-2S] cluster, which gives it a red color. This color means that we can observe how the environment around the cluster changes with light spectroscopy, a technique introduced in the General Chemistry laboratory courses. The example student projects include using spectroscopy to determine:

  • If potential drugs are binding near the cluster (Field: Drug Discovery)
  • If the molecules of oxidative stress are reacting with the protein (Field: Toxicology)
  • If mitoNEET contributes to sulfur-biochemistry (Field: Human Metabolism)

Attributes/skills/background sought in undergraduate:

  • Completion of General Chemistry I
  • Majors of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology and/or career aspirations in the field of biomedicine
  • Curiosity
  • Willingness to fail and try again
  • Willingness to take direction
  • Willingness to work within a group and learn from others
  • Willingness to develop skills in written and oral science communication
  • Have professional habits of reliability, consistency and attention to

Mentoring Plan:

  • Meet with me to establish consistent research times when I am available so that I can train you on techniques
  • Adherence to established schedule and communication if an alteration is necessary
  • One-hour group meeting per week to listen to others results and present your own
  • I will train you in techniques including (but not limited to): keeping a scientific notebook, appropriate laboratory techniques, laboratory etiquette, presentation of data
  • A discussion at the beginning and end of this program about career planning and/or
  • I expect myself and all researchers in the laboratory to treat each other with professional respect and I will not tolerate discrimination based on age, differing abilities, gender, gender identity, race, and sexual orientation.

Contact: 765-285-2195, CP 305