Principal Investigator

Ben received a Ph.D. in Structural Biology from SUNY Buffalo where he studied the structure of lipid oxygenating enzymes using X-ray crystallography and electron spin resonance. He then completed a post-doc at Harvard Medical School in Dr. Maofu Liao’s lab at a time when cryo-EM began to revolutionize the field of structural biology. Through this experience he gained a passion for cryo-EM and the structure and conformational transitions that allow membrane transporters to move molecules and signals across biological membranes. Ben began his own lab in August 2020 at Michigan State University where his research focuses on understanding the structure and function of membrane transporters and signaling complexes from diverse organisms. In his spare time Ben enjoys building small electronics, computers, fishing, and brewing the occasional perfect pint of beer!

Research Scientist

Melanie joined the Orlando lab in April 2021 and brought with her an extensive scientific background spanning research and teaching positions across academia and industrial settings. Melanie received a Masters degree in Biology from SUNY Fredonia, and has been a critical asset to research teams working on the Mouse Genome Project at the Whitehead Institute (Cambridge, MA) and Ob. Gyn. research at the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY). She has also worked as a lab manager and technician in a neurobiology research lab (SUNY, Buffalo), and an adjunct professor of Biology and Biotechnology (Genesse Community College, Batavia, NY). Most recently Melanie worked as a Research Scientist at Albany Molecular Research Inc (Buffalo, NY) where she managed a sterile cell-culture facility and performed high-content and high-throughput cell based assays. In the Orlando lab Melanie applies her diverse scientific background to study the function of membrane proteins involved in lipid signaling and small molecule transport.

Graduate student (BMB)

Peixuan graduated from Northeast Agricultural University with a B.S. in Food quality and safety. She then went on to receive a M.S. in Food Biotechnology from China Agricultural University, where she conducted research on the cooperation mechanism between the multiple domains of β-1,3-glucanase. Prior to joining MSU Peixuan had a one-year working experience in the analysis of protein-drug complexes related to Werner syndrome using X-ray crystallography. Peixuan’s research interests are in exploring the the structure and dynamics of human membrane transporters. In her free time Peixuan enjoys watching movies, swimming, hiking, and traveling!

Masters student

(B.Sc / M.Sc. Molecular Genetics and Genomics)

Ellen is pursuing a combined B.Sc./M.Sc in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and has always been interested in investigating cellular functions and how they evolutionarily came to be. After she finishes her B.Sc. Ellen plans to further expand her knowledge by studying microbiology and genetics in graduate school. In the Orlando Lab, Ellen explores the structure and function of proteins involved in antimicrobial peptide resistance, and the genetic mechanisms regulating these defense systems. In her free time Ellen enjoys painting, hiking, and playing the piano.

Graduate student (BMB)

Matt is an MSU graduate with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His undergraduate research utilized Schizosaccharomyces pombe to better understand the role of subunit Rpb9 in RNA Polymerase II mediaed gene transcription. He has also been involved in establishing a functional plant pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce specific diterpenes. In the Orlando Lab Matt is exploring the structure and function of unusual bacterial membrane protein transporter/receptor pairs and plans to utilize the latest artificial intelligence tools to enhance the process.

Undergraduate (B.Sc Biomed Lab Sci and Pharm/Tox)

I am an international student from Ghana in my Junior year, studying Biomedical Laboratory Science with a Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. My goal is to pursue a graduate degree in Biomedical Sciences. I began my undergraduate research journey working on the structure of the hairpin ribozyme using NMR. In the Orlando lab I work on establishing in vitro biosynthesis pathways to facilitate analysis of membrane protein structure and function. When I am not in the lab or at the library I enjoy watching movies and reading sci-fi and romance books.