About
WHO I AM
My love for science was sparked during a tenth-grade biology lecture about vaccines. Since then, a passion for contributing to science that positively impacts the world around me was sparked. This passion led me to pursue education in chemistry at both the Bachelor's and Doctoral level. As an undergraduate researcher, I had the privilege of initiating a new research project in my department which provided the vital perspective to the difficulties often encountered in scientific research. As a graduate student, I studied the unique chemical mechanisms of an enzyme that plays a key role at the interface between a pathogen and an infected organism. Currently, I am continuing my training as a postdoctoral associate within the Pharmacology Department at Yale University. Here, I am expanding my skill set to include x-ray crystallography and mammalian cell culture as I gain exposure to the realm of translational research.
With passion for clearly communicating science to those around me, a love for problem solving, and a passion to help others, I believe I have the mindset and skill to be a valuable team member.
Education & Experience
WHERE I'VE STUDIED
Postdoctoral Associate
Yale University - Pharmacology Department (Oct. 2021 to present)
My postdoctoral training is focused on the identification and validation of inhibitors that lead to cellular degradation of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. I am involved in assessing the efficacy of inhibitors through biochemical activity assays and validation of inhibitor-mediated degradation of the target protein. I am also performing complementary structural investigations between the inhibitors and protein of interest using x-ray crystallography.
The transition from my experience in fundamental biochemical research to translational research has provided me with insight to the overall process of how scientific exploration in labs is then utilized for the benefit of the greater public. I believe this will assist me in understanding my role in the overall goal of scientific investigations as I move
Ph.D. in Chemistry, specific training in biochemistry and enzymology
Auburn University - Chemistry & Biochemistry Department (Aug. 2015 to Sep. 2021)
Dissertation: "Impacts of the oxidizable scaffold of catalase-peroxidase (KatG): Modulation of a heme peroxidase for catalytic versatility" under the guidance of Doug Goodwin, Ph.D.
Graduate Assistant for
Mass Spectrometry Core Facility
Summer 2019 - Fall 2020
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As an assistant in a university core facility, I am not only gaining new skills in the wide application and analysis of mass spectrometry, but also learning about the policies and operation of a core facility.
Graduate Research Assistant
Fall 2016- Summer 2019
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As I focused mainly on research in the lab and opportunities to mentor and train new members in the lab, I learned the value of time management, clear communication, and the lab culture.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fall 2015 - Summer 2016
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During this time I assisted with the honors general chemistry, general chemistry, and biochemistry courses, including office hours, grading, and monitoring lab activities.
B.S. Chemistry with Honors, minors in Math and Molecular Biology
Wayland Baptist University - School of Math and Science (Aug. 2011 - May 2015)
Honors thesis: "Binding affinity of RecA to mutation sites known for drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a homemade DSLR documentation system" under the guidance of Robert Moore, Ph.D.
Welch Foundation Research Fellow
Spring 2016 - Fall 2015
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My experience as a Welch research fellow at WBU instilled in me a love for learning and teamwork in the lab. Also, being involved in the start of a new research project taught me to persevere through the repetition that goes with a new project.
Chemistry Student Workstudy
Fall 2011 - Spring 2015
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Four years working in the chemistry department taught me invaluable skills as a chemist, such as preparing solutions, teaching pre-lab lectures, grading student assessment, proper chemical management and safety protocols.
President's Ambassador
Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
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As a representative of the student body to the president and board of trustees of my university. In this role, I learned the importance and skill of appealing for funding. I was able to advocate for our science department by sharing my research experiences.
Skills & Techniques
WHAT I BRING TO THE BENCH
Problem solver
I have had the privilege of being mentored by great investigators who trained me to identify problems and troubleshoot their solutions.
mentor
Throughout my career, I have been able to practice training peers and facilitate clear communication within the lab.
Pioneer
Throughout my scientific career, I have aimed to seek out and hone new and unfamiliar skills in order to reach new heights.
Helper
From working on projects with others to planning events that will benefit the chemistry grad students, I enjoy and seek out ways to help my colleagues.
Leadership & Outreach
HOW I GIVE BACK
Publications & Awards
WORK INTO WORDS
Barton, C., Clohan Gassaway, K., Islam, R., Aziz, T., Krewall, J.R., Punthrangkul, D., Willian, K.R. (2022) Implementation of an at-home, first-semester biochemistry lab course: A module based on banana tyrosinase, Journal of Chemical Education, 99, 4, 1571-1578.
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De Faria, C.F., Moreira, T., Lopes, P., Costa, H., Krewall, J.R., Barton, C.M., Santos, S., Goodwin, D.C., Machado, D., Viveiros, M., Machuqueiro, M., and Martins, F. (2021) Designing new antitubercular isoniazid derivatives with improved reactivity and membrane trafficking abilities, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 144, 112362.
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Krewall, J.R., Minton, L.E., Goodwin, D.C. KatG Structure and Mechanism: Using Protein-based Oxidation to Confront the Threats of Reactive Oxygen, ACS Books Symposium Series, American Chemical Society, Vol. 1357, 83-120.
Njuma, O.J., Davis, I., Ndontsa, E.N., Krewall, J.R., Liu, A., Goodwin, D.C. 2017. Mutual synergy between catalase and peroxidase activities for the bifunctional enzyme KatG is facilitated by electron hole-hopping within the enzyme. J. Biol. Chem., 292, 18408-18421.
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WWC/Eli Lilly Travel Award (2019)
I was honored to receive this award from the Women Chemists Committee (WCC) and Eli Lilly. This award made it possible for me to attend the Enzymes, Coenzymes, and Metabolic Pathways Gordon Research Conference and Symposium in Waterville Valley, NH in July 2019. This conference was a wonderful opportunity to network and search for potential employers.
Presentations
SHARING SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS
 I began presenting at scientific conferences as an undergraduate researcher at the 2012 Texas Academy of Science Meeting |  My first scientific conference in graduate school was the 2017 Lester Andrews Graduate Research Conference |  It was exciting to get a tour of the National High Magnetic Field Lab during the 2017 SE Magnetic Resonance Conference |
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 I learned so much at the 2017 Southeast Magnetic Resonance Conference |  Presenting at the 2018 Southeast Enzyme Conference was an absolute delight |  It was an absolute honor to be able to attend and present at the 2019 Enzymes, Coenzymes, and Metabolic Pathways Gordon Research Symposium & Conference |
POSTER PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES
These many opportunities to practice formal research presentation skills to a range of audiences from enzymologists, or spectroscopists, and even fellow graduate students has been a formative part of my career. Since college as an undergraduate research fellow preparing I've learned the value of organization and clear communication by many posters and presentations for conferences. Though I have always loved the opportunity to discuss my research with anyone who is willing to listen, it has taken many years of practice to strengthen this skill. I enjoy the challenge of creating a new poster or presentation for each presentation according to the research that I will be presenting and the composition of my audience. It is while preparing presentations for others to understand one's research that creative pressure gives birth to scientific works of art.
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ORAL PRESENTATION BY INVITATION TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
It was an honor to represent my university and chemistry department as I presented my undergraduate research project and its significance to members of the community and local donors/philanthropists. These experiences were instrumental in teaching me how to cater my presentation to my audience, and how to communicate the significance of scientific research to a general audience. My passion for scientific communication to the community has only grown since these opportunities, and I am seeking ways to improve these skills. As such, I have just completed a course offered by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on The Art of Science Communication.