Department of Chemistry Welcomes Summer Research Student from MIT

The Department of Chemistry welcomes summer student Josh Lian.

Josh has joined the department from MIT as a summer research student as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP). This programme offers students the experience of an academic research environment outside of the classroom, helping to build and develop their skills. Josh has joined the research group of Dr Maxie Roessler, after working with Daniel Suess from the Department of Chemistry at MIT.

Josh introduces himself and comments: “I just recently completed my third year of my degree in Chemistry and Biology (MIT Course 5-7). For the past two years, I have worked in the Suess research group, researching nitrogenase enzymes. My research has had two major themes: biological regulation of cofactor insertion and cofactor modification for spectroscopic investigation. I decided to come to the UK for the summer because my previous research project showed me that modern science requires international insights and experiences.

“In the Roessler research group, I am working on combining electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques to investigate the electron transfer mechanism of photosynthetic complex I, the protein complex that generates the proton motive force for cyclic electron flow in photosynthesis. I am supervised by a PhD student in the Roessler research group. My research is being funded by both the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) Climate and Sustainability fund as well as Imperial’s own UROP program. I’m really excited about all the new and exciting techniques I’ll learn in my 10 weeks here! I hope to bring some new insight as well as learn a ton from my current awesome coworkers. Also, as it’s my first time in the UK, I’m also really ecstatic to see all that London has to offer!”

Daniel Suess, MIT, commented, “Josh has been a valued member of my research group since 2022 and has become an expert in purifying and manipulating air-sensitive proteins, specifically nitrogenases. In addition to pursuing his own research project, he’s been our point-person for a new collaboration, all while taking a heavy, challenging course load. I’m thrilled that he has the opportunity to spend this summer in the laboratory of Prof. Roessler, a world leader in applying EPR spectroscopy to answering questions in biology. I expect he’ll return to MIT this Fall with a broader scientific perspective, which will serve him well as he decides what research he will pursue in graduate school and beyond.”

Dr Maxie Roessler commented, “When Josh first contacted me, his e-mail was so thoughtful, and his background and interests are such a great fit to what we do in my group that I am extremely happy that he is now in my lab for the next 10 weeks as a summer research student. My group has been working on developing new methodologies to investigate the mechanism of complex metalloenzymes – and Josh is coming just at the right time to combine this toolkit to get a step closer to understanding a particularly enigmatic enzyme in photosynthesis. Josh is bringing some great skills in biochemistry with him, and I hope that what he learns in my lab over the coming weeks will serve him well for his PhD. I knew of Dan Suess’ beautiful work, and I am also excited to establish some links with his lab through Josh!”