Affiliation: Texas A&M University

Jonathan received a PhD from Johns Hopkins University under the guidance of Prof. Marc Greenberg. His doctoral work focused on understanding the chemical basis for the cytotoxicity of drugs and other modalities that target DNA by using organic synthesis to prepare, in a homogeneous fashion, the damage formed by these reagents. After completing his PhD, Jonathan joined the laboratory of Prof. Gerald Joyce at The Scripps Research Institute, where he obtained extensive training in directed evolution. During this period, Jonathan showed that mirror image nucleic acids (L-DNA and L-RNA) can be evolved to bind and manipulate native RNA, thereby expanding nucleic acid interactions across the chiral mirror. Jonathan began his independent career at Texas A&M in the fall of 2015, where he is currently an Associate Professor of Chemistry. His research program combines expertise in nucleic acids chemistry, chemical and molecular biology, and directed evolution to address biologically relevant questions and human health needs.