Our Team

Mikail E. Abbasov, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Mikail completed his B.S. in Biochemistry at West Texas A&M University and his M.S. in Optical Physics at Killgore Research Center. He went on to achieve a Ph.D. in Organic Synthetic Chemistry at Texas A&M University and completed postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute. Currently, Mikail serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell, he carries out his research into the targets of covalent drugs and how they can be utilized to develop effective, novel therapeutics. Mikail loves spending time with his wife and kids, eating sushi, oil painting, and composing music.

Qi Cui, Ph.D.

(Ph.D. in Chemistry from Peking University, China)

Qi earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Nankai University, China. He then pursued his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Zhi-Xiang Yu at Peking University, China. During his doctoral studies, he conducted experiments and DFT calculations to investigate rhodium-catalyzed [4+2+1] and [5+2+1] cycloaddition as well as cycloisomerization. He applied these reactions in the total syntheses of natural products, such as (–)-Mesembrine and (–)-Clovan-2,9-dione. Following the completion of his Ph.D., he conducted research on reactive sulfur species with Prof. Ming Xian’s at Brown University. In 2023, he joined the Abbasov Group to delve into proteomics, aiming to integrate his chemical expertise with biological concepts. Currently, Qi is studying the reactivity of lysine-reactive natural products and their analogues by chemical proteomics. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, cycling, and cooking Chinese food.

Katie Bracken

(B.S. in Chemistry from University of Mississippi)

Katie is from Austin, Texas and completed her undergraduate career at the University of Mississippi, where she graduated with a B.S. Chemistry degree with honors in May 2020. During her undergraduate studies, Katie worked for the USDA Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, where she focused on isolation of biologically active natural products for use in agricultural applications. Her research project resulted in a publication and an opportunity to present at the Fall 2018 ACS National Conference in Boston. In the Abbasov group, Katie plans to use her experience with natural products to study small molecules that perturb the function of proteins involved in pathogenesis. Katie loves to teach, cook, hike, kayak, paddle board, and explore the beautiful Ithaca area.

Colby Gekko

(B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Molecular/Cell Biology from University of California, Berkeley)

Colby grew up in a beach town in southern California before she moved north to attend UC Berkeley. She received a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology while researching chemical ecology under the guidance of Professor Paul Fine. Since graduation, she has coached her collegiate club rowing team, taught organic chemistry to UC Berkeley undergraduates, and studied viral infection immune response in the laboratory of Professor Raul Andino at UC San Francisco. In the Abbasov group, Colby wishes to learn how to use chemical proteomics to identify druggable vulnerabilities in disease pathways. Colby enjoys rock climbing, rowing, cooking, doing puzzles, solving Rubik’s cubes, and singing (poorly) in the shower.

Emma Lueders

(B.S. in Chemistry from University of Maine)

Emma grew up in the beautiful state of Maine. She learned the importance of hard work and dedication at a young age through many days spent on her family's potato farm. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in 2016, and earned her B.S. in Chemistry Summa Cum Laude at the University of Maine in 2021. Emma is ecstatic to be part of Mikail’s interdisciplinary group, where she plans to synthesize natural products capable of exploiting druggable lysines in proteins associated with disease through chemical proteomics. Outside of the lab Emma enjoys lattes, lobster rolls, and large jars of pimiento stuffed olives.

Beth Ryan

(B.S. in Biochemistry from Ithaca College)

Beth spent the majority of her life in Fort Campbell, Kentucky but somehow ended up in New York for college. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biochemistry from Ithaca College in May 2022 and soon after commissioned as a 2LT in the US Army. While at IC, she worked with Professor Scott Ulrich to synthesize and test covalent inhibitors of bacterial quorum sensing synthase enzymes as a method for preventing bacterial pathogenesis. Beth is thrilled be over on the ‘other hill’ working in the Abbasov laboratory. She is particularly interested in using small molecules to edit proteins in order to tune or reprogram their function. When she’s not in lab, Beth enjoys running, watching Jeopardy!, cooking in her tiny kitchen, and obsessing over Ithaca’s sunsets. She is also an avid connoisseur of sparkling water, oat milk lattes, and the chocolate chip cookies from 7/11.

Marissa Fontaine

(B.S. in Biochemistry from Boston College)

Marissa is from Southbridge, Massachusetts. She received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Boston College. At Boston College, Marissa worked in the laboratory of Prof. Eranthie Weerapana, where she used phage display to develop cyclic peptide inhibitors for members of the protein disulfide isomerase family. In the Abbasov laboratory, Marissa's research is focused on exploring the differential ligandability of proteins based on small molecule stereochemistry. Aside from research, Marissa enjoys Cherry Cokes, pistachio ice cream, and watching criminal trials on YouTube.

Josh Wong

(B.S. in Biochemistry from University of California, Riverside)

Josh is from Fremont, California and graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of California, Riverside. During his undergraduate career, Josh researched conductivity of silicon-based molecular wires under the Su lab. He has further developed his research skills by taking on an internship at Scorpion Therapeutics, where he aided in the development of an in-gel abpp-based assay for classically undruggable cancer targets. In the Abbasov group, Josh plans on utilizing small molecules to gain insight on relevant biological diseases. Outside of the lab, Josh enjoys hiking, cooking, and going the gym.

Cameron Muniz

Cameron is from Gloucester, Massachusetts and is a junior chemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Cameron is excited to learn about the synthesis of natural products and chemical proteomics in the Abbasov Group. Outside of research, Cameron is a member of Cornell’s chemistry fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma, and loves to golf, listen to music and follow Boston sports.

Yahir Huerta-Salas

Yahir is a junior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences pursuing a Biological Sciences major. He was born and raised in the Bronx by parents who immigrated from Mexico and enjoys participating in family gatherings. Yahir hopes to gather experience in both the chemical and biological fields with the work he is conducting in the Abbasov Group. He is interested in further exploring the field of chemistry and biology to obtain a Ph.D. in a related discipline after Cornell. Outside of academics, he enjoys watching European football, listening to music, and hanging out with friends!

Xueer Chen

Xueer is originally from the state of New York but has moved around the country a bit. She now resides in Rocket City, AL, and is a sophomore majoring in the Biological Sciences with a concentration in Genetics and Genomics. Xueer hopes to one day work as an emergency physician and pursue research further down the path. Outside of research, she can be found trying to convince her friends to pick up more shifts with her or burying her nose into a book.

Sonia Shneyerson

Sonia is from Westchester, NY. She is a junior majoring in Chemistry. She is interested in drug development and cancer research. Outside of the lab, Sonia is a member of Alpha Chi Sigma. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, reading, and watching cute animal videos.

Natalie Cox

Natalie is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is majoring in chemistry in the College of Arts & Sciences class of 2026. She hopes to work in pharmaceutical development and is excited to learn about chemical synthesis and proteomics in the Abbasov group! On campus, she is a pledge for the chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma and works as a lifeguard at Helen Newman. She likes to spend free time outside exploring Ithaca.

Ronin Ford

Ronin is originally from Orlando, Florida. He currently is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering, and is thankful for his opportunity to both learn from and contribute to the Abbasov Group. Outside research, Ronin enjoys camping and playing any sport with a racket.

Sophie Shadid

Sophie was raised in Los Angeles and went to high school in Denver, Colorado. She is a junior majoring in nutritional science and minoring in biomedical engineering. She hopes to one day work in pharmaceutical development. Outside of research, Sophie is spends her time rowing for Cornell’s varsity crew team, with Cornell’s professional chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma, and working as the director of photography for a student-run magazine.

Oreo

Oreo is a Morkie – a cross between the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier. He is small, energetic, and super silly. This fluffy little fellow wants to be a part of the day-to-day happenings and makes a good therapy pooch. Oreo loves treats, playing catch, and chewing toys.

Emmanuella Brewu-Sarpong

Recognitions received while in the Abbasov Group:

• Cornell-HHMI Accelerating Medical Progress through Scholarship (CHAMPS) Fellowship (2021)
• Frank L. and Lynnet Douglas Fellowship for Underrepresented Minority Summer Research Fellowship (2022)

Current position:

• Graduate student pursuing M.S. in Medical Sciences at Brown University

Michael Norinskiy

Recognitions received while in the Abbasov Group:

• Cornell University Summer Experience Grant (2021)
• The J. Emery Morris Fellowship for Undergraduate Research (2022)
• ACS Cornell Section Undergraduate Research Award (2023)

Current position:

• Graduate student pursuing Ph.D. in Chemical Biology at UC Berkeley

Kaylin Ro

Recognitions received while in the Abbasov Group:

• Dextra Undergraduate Research Endowment Fund (2021, 2022)

Current position:

• Graduate student pursuing Ph.D. in Chemical Biology at Scripps Research Institute with Prof. Christopher Parker

Nina Suss

Recognitions received while in the Abbasov Group:

• Tanner Dean Scholar Grant (2021)
• The Harold Adlard Lovenberg Prize (2022)
• George C. Caldwell Prize (2023)
• Harold Adlard Lovenberg Prize(2021)
• Merrill Presidential Scholar (2023)

Current position:

• Graduate student pursuing Ph.D. in Chemical Biology at UC Berkeley