Group Members

Mortaza received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry with a focus on computational chemistry from Colorado state university. His Ph.D. research focused on using computational methods to understand the role of resins in the aggregation of asphaltenes. He is a huge fan of nature and outdoor activities such as hiking, running, skiing. He also enjoys reading, and baking exotic breads.

Research Interests:

• Activation dynamics of mutated corona virus variants

Hope received her Ph.D. in chemical and physical biology from Vanderbilt University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Lyon College in Batesville, AR in mathematics and biology. She worked in the lab of Jens Meiler during her Ph.D. on computational methods to predict the effects of mutations on protein folding and stability. She also implemented implicit membrane models in Rosetta to model membrane proteins in different membrane geometries. Some of Hope’s favorite hobbies include biking, beekeeping, and chasing around her two children.

Research Interests:

• RSV fusion protein conformational transition pathway

Ugochi Isu obtained her Bsc in biochemistry from Federal university of technology, Owerri, Nigeria. She enjoys baking, travelling and spending time with her family.

Research Interests:

• Chemo-mechanical couplings in the activation process of selected G-protein coupled receptors using molecular dynamics simulation
•  Localization and effect of cholesterol binding changes in different ratios of cholesterol to POPC lipids in Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1)

Matthew Brownd is currently a Fourth-year graduate student. He recieved his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from John Brown University in 2019, and has an interest in studying drug binding activities, specifically as it relates to anxiolytics or antidepressants. Outside of work, he is fascinated by the realms of science fiction and technology, which he enjoys exploring through games, movies, books, or tinkering with the latest gadgets.

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Shadi A Badiee is a third year PhD student in Cell and Molecular Biology. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology - Genetics from University of Yazd, Iran (Class of 2015), and her Master's degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from University of Milan, Italy (Class of 2020). Shadi’s Master’s thesis was “Improving the Efficiency of Metadynamic Metainference Simulations”. She enjoys traveling, playing basketball and spending time with her family.

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Ehsaneh received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Plant Breeding from the University of Tabriz, Iran, as well as a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology. Also, she conducted a research period in the Field Omics Research Unit at the National Institute of Crop Science, NARO, in Japan, to work on proteomic analysis of abiotic sensitive and tolerant plants. Prior to joining Prof. Moradi's group, she gained three years of experience in proteome changes in the bacterial response to antibiotics at the Drug Applied Research Center in Tabriz, Iran. Ehsaneh enjoys reading, jogging, and spending time with her friends/family.

Research Interests:

• Develop robust simulation protocols to elucidate the atomic-level mechanisms of drug release in lipid-nanoparticle/liposomal drug delivery systems, aiming to accurately capture the molecular basis of release kinetics.
• Employ advanced computational techniques to achieve a comprehensive microscopic understanding of biological function by characterizing membranes and membrane proteins in detail, with a focus on unraveling their structural and dynamic foundations.

Steph is a current first year Ph.D. student in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas. She received her B.S. in biochemistry from St. Lawrence University (Class of 2022). Steph enjoys working out, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Research Interests:

• Atomic-Level Characterization of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins Using Molecular Dynamic Simulations

Joseph Williamson is a second-year graduate student pursuing a PhD in cell and molecular biology at the University of Arkansas where he previously received his BS degree in chemistry. He is ambitious and always open to learning new skills for enhancing his abilities as a computational scientist. His current focus is in improving the understanding of the structure and function of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using molecular dynamics (MD) based sampling techniques with comparative single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) data.

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Curtis is an avid reader and explorer. His interests are wide and varied but his work in computational chemistry has ranged from developing new force fields for water to simulating large protein systems. Currently he is finishing a PhD focusing on theoretical utilization of Markov Models while working as a DevOps engineer at a major tech company.

Research Interests:

• Protein Conformational Landscapes
• Deep Learning

Soheil is a first-year PhD student in Material Science and Engineering. He received his master's and bachelor's degrees from Ferdowsi university of Mashhad, Iran. He enjoys reading books and watching movies. Also, he likes programming and simulation (especially bimolecular simulation). He believes that with simulation, we will be able to eradicate diseases very soon.

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Sam earned his B.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry with computing from University of Eldoret, Kenya in 2015. Before coming to Arkansas, Sam resided in both Nairobi, Kenya and Muscat, Oman, teaching Chemistry. He has a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. He loves skateboarding and swimming.

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Ehsan obtained a. B.Sc. and M.Sc.degree in Plant Breeding with a specialization in Molecular Genetic and Genetic Engineering. Furthermore, he achieved a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Genetic and Genetic Engineering from the University of Ilam.

In addition to his research accomplishments, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Azad University of Tabriz since 2017. In pursuit of expanding his knowledge and expertise, he recently joined Prof.Moradi's lab. Here, he is committed to completing his academic journey this time in Biomolecular Simulations. This endeavor reflects his dedication to continuous learning and his desire to explore interdisciplinary fields.

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Fauzia Haque finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is now focused in computational chemistry at Dr. Moradi's Lab, where she explores molecular structures particularly on nanoparticle carriers. Beyond her studies, Fauzia enjoys reading. She's also a curious traveler who loves exploring different cultures, foods, and places.

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Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (University of Kufa, Iraq) 2009.

Master of Science in Pharmacology (Kent State University, Ohio) 2013.

University Lecturer and Registered Pharmacist (2014-2022)

Research Interests:

• Computational Chemistry
• SAR and drug design

During his undergraduate career, Reza double majored and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Physics. In his academic career, he then pursued to further his education and earned a Master of Science in Engineering with emphasis in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is now pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering with research focusing on computational biomaterials. Should Reza have any free time in his busy schedule he enjoys partaking in any number of hobbies - one, for example, is enjoying a game of chess.

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Asal completed her master's degree in civil engineering from Amirkabir University, 2017. She enjoys traveling, reading books, and spending time with her family.

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Will is an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas, pursuing a B.S. degree with a major in Biology while also minoring in Psychology and Medical Humanities. For the past two summers, Will has worked as a pharmacy technician in Little Rock, Arkansas. He loves attending Razorback sports events, and enjoys playing basketball in his free time

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Sebastian Cypert is a senior undergraduate student working with Ehsaneh Khodadadi , with great interest in biological computer simulations. He's worked on creating physics simulations since he started studying at the university and is hoping to help apply his simulation interests in helping with drug discovery molecular dynamics simulations.

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Natalie is a Biochemistry major with minor in statistics planning to apply to medical school. She has been a CHEM II SI Leader since Fall 2022. She enjoy attending Razorback sports events, watching movies, and going on walks with my dog during my free time..

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Josiah is a Biochemistry senior undergraduate student with a keen interest in biological computer simulations, conducting research under Dr. Ehsaneh Khodadadi's mentorship. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and a PharmD at the University of Michigan. Josiah also works as a phlebotomist at Mercy Hospital. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, running around the University of Arkansas, and staying updated on scientific advancements.

Research Interests:

Will is currently majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he is planning to attend graduate school to expand his knowledge of both chemistry and pharmaceuticals, and his eventual goal is to continue working in pharmaceutical research. When given the opportunity for free time, his hobbies include reading, board games, and video games.

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Abigail is majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. She is planning to attend medical school once she completes her undergraduate degree. Abigail currently works at UAMS in Northwest Arkansas as a Patient Care Technician. In her free time, she loves reading, watching Razorback sports, and cooking.

Research Interests: Atomic-Level Characterization of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins Using Molecular Dynamic Simulations