The Kizer Lab aims to create an interdisciplinary team of aspiring and junior scientists from all backgrounds and disciplines.
Megan E. Kizer
Principal Investigator, She/Her/Hers
megan_kizer@brown.edu
GeoChem 325
Megan is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department at Brown University, where her research in chemical biology focuses on the role of complex carbohydrates in human health and disease. Megan received her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Binghamton University, where she investigated the role of nuclear pore proteins in cargo trafficking. When starting graduate studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Megan transitioned her research interests to chemistry and chemical biology where she focused on developing nucleic acid nanostructures as drug delivery tools, microfluidic-based cell delivery systems, protein probes for detection of cell division DNA structural motifs, and RNA aptamers against glycosaminoglycans. She then moved to MIT where she received the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein postdoctoral fellowship, and developed a directed evolution platform to generate proteins that selectively bind glycan antigens and epitopes. At Brown, Megan is excited to continue developing these research areas towards glycan-focused technologies that enable detection, synthesis, and understanding of complex carbohydrates.
In her free time Megan enjoys climbing, cooking, drumming, and hanging out with her cats!
Helen Belato, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Hello! I am Helen Belato, a postdoctoral researcher in the Chemistry Department. I received a B.S. in molecular and cell biology from the University of Connecticut, and a P.hD. investigating the structural and dynamic determinants of long-range allosteric communication in GeoCas9, a thermostable Cas9 variant, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and various diverse biophysical techniques. I am eager to apply my protein engineering and structural biology expertise to the directed evolution project in the Kizer lab, and also to to expand my glycobiology knowledge.
Kate Gilbert
Graduate Student
I am Kate Gilbert, a PhD student in the Chemistry department. I am originally from Gorham, Maine, and I graduated from Roger Williams University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics. I joined the Kizer lab looking to be an interdisciplinary researcher, bridging gaps between biology, chemistry, data science, and more. I’m interested in the application of these fields to glycotechnology and its use in vaccinations. When I’m not in the lab, I love to dance, paint, and play with my dog, Franklin!
Miguel Martinez
Graduate Student
I am Miguel Martinez, a PhD student in the Chemistry Department. I grew up not too far from campus in Providence, Rhode Island, and I graduated nearby from Rhode Island College with a double major in Biology and Chemistry. My undergraduate research was focused on protein expression and purification. At Brown, I am interested in protein engineering and chemical biology, where I bring my strengths in biology and chemistry to better understand protein-carbohydrate interactions. Outside of lab I love to lift weights, read, and bake.
Simone Duran-Nyers
Graduate Student
I’m Simone, a first year PhD student in the Chemistry Department! My hometown is San Dimas, CA and I graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 2023 with a B.S. in Marine Biology. My undergraduate research focused on marine natural products chemistry as well as translational research. I chose to go to graduate school to further pursue my passion for multidimensional research – and the Kizer lab does just that! My area of interest within the lab is the nanostructured glycan based vaccine candidates. Aside from science, I enjoy being out in nature, singing, and going to the movies!
Izzy Nagle
Graduate Student
Hello! I’m Izzy, a Ph.D. candidate in the Chemistry Department. I grew up outside of Boston, MA in Needham and I graduated from Colorado College with a B.A. in Biochemistry. In the Kizer Lab, I am part of the GBP-TT subgroup, emphasis on the TT (targeted therapeutics)! My project focuses on leveraging the glycan-binding proteins developed in our directed evolution pipeline to more specifically deliver drugs to cancer cells. Outside of lab, I enjoy spending time outside, pilates, audiobooks and live music!
Lillian Kidd
Graduate Student
I’m Lillian, a second year PhD student in the Therapeutic Sciences Graduate Program. I’m originally from Baltimore, MD where I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). My research experience is rooted in chemistry, with a background in organic synthesis of antiviral therapeutics, computational modeling, and machine learning. In our lab, I’m focused on the rational design of carbohydrate-based therapeutics and exploring how they modulate immune pathways across different diseases.
Tyler Rose
Undergraduate, Biochemistry, ’26
Hi! I’m Tyler (co. ‘26) from Smithfield, Rhode Island. I’ll be concentrating in Chemistry on the Chemical Biology track, with plans for a future in research. I adore organic chemistry, and want to further explore the interface of synthetic and analytical organic chemistry with human biology. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy running, classical music, and everything Nintendo!
Johanna Leang
Undergraduate, ‘iochemistry, ’26
Hi! My name is Johanna Leang and I’m a second-year undergraduate studying Biochemistry and Public Health from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m interested in the intersection between chemistry and biology and its unlimited applications in various fields, particularly pharmacology. In my free time, I love hanging put with friends, watching funny cat videos, and overanalyzing films.
Kike Okunseinde
Undergraduate, Biomedical Engineering, ‘27
Brooke Kanaczet (Undergraduate, Chemical Biology, ’27)
Owen Fick (Undergraduate, Biochemistry and IAPA, ’27)
Dylan Lai (Undergraduate, Biomedical Engineering, ’27)
Former Trainees
Undergraduates
Sofia Mrowka – ScB Applied Math, ScB Biology, ’25
Pran Teelucksingh – ScB Chemical Biology, ’25
Eric Sorge – ScB Biochemistry, ’24; Current Role:
Megan List – ScB Biochemistry, ’24; Current Role: Medical Student at Drexel University
The Kizer Lab for GlycoTechnologies
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