Members
Eric Greene
Assistant Professor Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
Email: egreene@sfsu.edu
Eric graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology. As an undergraduate, he worked with Dr. Zhongping Tan using chemical biology approaches to study glycosylated proteins.
As a graduate student in Dr. Andy Martin’s lab at UC Berkeley, Eric studied how conformations and conformational dynamics of the 26S proteasome influence degradation processes. He also collaborated with Dr. Susan Marqusee’s lab to help illuminate how energetic changes conferred by site-specific ubiquitination on substrate proteins influenced whether, and how, these proteins were degraded by the proteasome.
Eric was a postdoc in James Fraser’s lab at UCSF, where he worked on project seeking to understand how protein conformations impact function and regulation, and, how posttranslational factors that occur throughout a protein’s lifetime further tune function.
Haneen Alkabbani
Sophomore CSU LSAMP Scholar pursuing B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry
Haneen Alkabbani is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at San Francisco State University. As a dedicated member of ‘Team Oxidation,’ Haneen contributes to a research project aimed at exploring methods to oxidize wild-type glutamine synthetase proteins.
Outside the lab and classroom, Haneen enjoys exploring San Francisco with friends, often discovering new coffee shops around the city.
Andrew Bautista
First year graduate student pursuing M.S. in Biochemistry
Full bio coming soon.
Cyrina Geluz
Senior pursuing B.S. in Biochemistry
Full bio coming soon.
Madison Hales
Senior pursuing B.S. in Biology (conc. Physiology & Chemistry minor)
Madison is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Physiology and a minor in Chemistry at San Francisco State University. She utilizes a combination of computational and molecular visualization methods to explore the impact of oligomeric state on protein dynamics and function of human glutamine synthetase.
Outside of the lab, Madison works for a plastic surgeon as a medical assistant. She also loves watching horror movies, playing golf, and hanging out with her cat Ranch.
Emily Hernandez
SEO scholar pursuing M.S. in Biochemistry
I am a First Gen Latina, and first year Master’s Student I got my Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Race and Resistance this last Spring. During my undergrad I did Biochemistry research with Dr. Greene in the Greene lab.
Continuing my work with him as a graduate student, I am studying Tau protein amyloid conformations in diseases by inducing fibril formation with chemicals like sodium alginate and analyzing their structures using Cryo-EM. I’m also part of SEO as an NIH-Bridge MS Scholar and Secretary of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Association here on campus. Outside of school I love to travel, my most recent trip was a solo trip to Japan!
Rowan Jacobs
First year graduate student pursuing M.S. in Biochemistry
Rowan is working on high throughput screening of cytosolic metabolites for allosteric activity affecting GS.
When not in the lab, he enjoys video games, spending time with his cat, and listening to electronic music.
Ryan Leung
4th Year SF State Scholar pursuing B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry
Evaluating cytosolic metabolites for their potential allosteric modulation of glutamine synthetase.
In my free time I build plastic model kits, play tabletop/video games, and play tennis.
Emilio Mejia
SF State Scholar pursuing B.S. in Biochemistry
Full bio coming soon.
Markus Tecson
SF State Scholar pursuing B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry
Markus is using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and computational techniques to explore how human glutamine synthetase communicates through allosteric pathways. This enzyme plays a key role in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, making the discoveries especially exciting for future therapies. In addition to being an SF State Scholar, I am a NIH U-RISE, NSF CSU-LSAMP Fellow, and McKinney Scholar.
Outside of the lab, Markus loves to spend time with his cat and play video games. He is also an avid photographer, runner, and pretends to know how to play piano!
Michelle Von Merta-Sustarich
First year graduate student pursuing M.S. in Biochemistry
Michelle Von Merta-Sustarich is pursuing her M.S. in Biochemistry and received her bachelor’s in Biochemistry from University of California Berkeley. Her research is focusing on ensemble-function relationships governing Argininosuccinate synthase regulation and how it relates to cancer.
Outside of school Michelle volunteers for the Slovene National Benefit Society of San Francisco as a proud third-generation Slovenian-American and has been awarded the title of “Kru” by the Thai Ministry of Education for her active engagement in the sport of Muay Thai.
Former members
Dan Fournier
Ensemble analysis, structural bioinformatics, and code debugger (2023–2024)
Next position: Jr. Lab Assistant II, UCSF
Yuly Cruz
Ensemble analysis and structural bioinformatics (2023–2024)
Next position: Master’s Student SFSU Biomedical Sciences
Daniel Hogan
Web site setter-upper (2023)
Next position: Bioinformatics programmer, UCSF
Joining
If you are interested in joining, please contact Dr. Greene by email to set up an appointment. Please note, that San Fracisco State University does NOT have a Ph.D. granting program in the chemical or biological sciences—if you are looking for a Ph.D. position please inquire at other universities.