Principal Investigator
Richard M. van Rijn, Ph.d.
(pronounce like 'brine' without the B)

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Bio-pharmaceutical Sciences from Leiden University. During the “Masters” portion of this degree I worked one year in a Pharmacognosy lab, isolating acetylcholineesterase inhibitors from Amaryllidaceae bulbs as well as six months in a virology lab. I graduated from VU University Amsterdam in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences with a research thesis focused on the molecular pharmacology of histamine H4 receptors and their ability to engage in oligomeric protein-protein interactions. The research was performed in the group of Professor Rob Leurs. After working for six months as research associate producing adenovirus constructs at Biofocus DPI, a Galapagos company, I started my post-doctoral training at the University of California San Francisco at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center in 2007. In the laboratory of Dr. Jennifer Whistler I started working on the role of delta opioid receptors in alcohol abuse in rodents. I was awarded with an ABMRF grant as well as a K99/R00 through NIAAA. In 2013 I secured a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University and continue to study the neuropharmacology of GPCRs with a focus on pre-clinical drug discovery for treatments of drug dependence and co-morbid neurological disorders. The lab has received funding from NIAAA and NIDA as well as a NARSAD young investigator award. I was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure on August 12th 2019. During the Spring of 2020 I did a sabbatical in the group of Dr. Brian Shoichet to acquire skills in molecular modeling of GPCRs and running docking/virtual screens. In 2020, I also consulted for Carmot Therapeutics.
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Outside the lab, I love to cook, travel, take photographs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redrijn/) and listen to music (classical, prog. rock, indie rock, electronic ambient, trip-hop)
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Postdoctoral fellow:
Alexander French

I obtained my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, where I worked with Dr. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert on engineering guidance conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair. Next, I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Chicago working under Dr. Tobin Sosnick and Dr. Ron Rock on engineering optogenetic tools for controlling motor protein function in cells. I joined Dr. Mathew Tantama’s lab at Purdue University as a postdoctoral researcher in 2016, and was awarded an NIH BRAIN Initiative F32 fellowship in 2017 for a collaborative project between the Tantama, Watts, and van Rijn labs at Purdue. After Dr. Tantama transitioned to Wellesley College in 2019, I moved to the van Rijn lab to complete my fellowship and continue developing new tools for studying opioid signaling in the brain.
Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time with my wife and infant son and watching him squish new things with his chubby fingers. I also enjoy good food, movies, and friends.

Graduate student:
Robert Cassell

Hailing from merry old England, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating with First Class Honors. During my time as an undergraduate I was able to take part in a variety of projects through my scheduled courses and voluntary work, including work involving synthetic organic chemistry research, rational/computer-aided drug design, and analytical work looking at the prevalence of ketamine throughout the City of Manchester.

​Outside of the lab I love to relax with friends, listen to music, and feed the stray cats that hang out near my apartment! 

Graduate student:
aNNA gUTRIDGE

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wittenberg University in 2017. During my undergraduate studies, I completed two summer research internships with host universities. At West Virginia University, I engineered “Lab on a Chip” diagnostic devices in the lab of Yuxin Liu for the detection of biomarkers from whole blood with gold nanoparticles. The following summer I worked in the lab of Leanne Petry at Central State University on a pharmacognosy project for the antimicrobial and antioxidant characterization of several nettle extracts from various species. During my time at Central State University, I also had the opportunity to work with grade school teachers on the development of science curriculum.
 
Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking and relaxing outdoors, painting, cooking new food, and being a very doting plant mom.

Graduate student:
arryn Blaine

Though born in Boston, I grew up in Fishers, Indiana. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish and Economics from Purdue University in 2017. During this time, I worked in Dr. Vikki Weake’s lab studying the co-transcriptional activator SAGA, a large multi-subunit protein complex. My main focus was to analyze protein interactions among the different subunits that make up the complex, determining the role each subunit played in SAGA’s function. I had the pleasure of working on this research for three years and one summer! Other opportunities I had during my undergraduate years included a study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain learning about Spanish culture and history; helping organize and lead a new biochemistry lab course; and being able to be part of a variety of cultural events and organizations on campus. I must have enjoyed Purdue a lot now that I am continuing my graduate degree here! I am excited for the new research and learning experiences I will have in the Van Rijn lab! 

Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, baking and dancing of all kinds. When I was little I mostly just did ballet, but as I’ve grown up I’ve been able to try all kind of dance including modern, hip-hop, jazz, belly dance, Bollywood, k-pop and one very intense class of Irish step-dance!

Graduate student:
Yazan Meqbil

I obtained my B.A. in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from Goshen College in 2019. As an undergraduate student at Goshen, I worked with Dr. Andrew Ammons on population genetics of mosquitoes in Northern Indiana while also working with Dr. Douglas Schirch to synthesize dipeptides with antimicrobial activity to eliminate infections in cystic fibrosis patients. In 2018, I spent my summer working with Dr. Tony Hazbun at Purdue where we investigated the N-terminal methylation of various proteins in S.cerevisiae. During my time at Goshen College, I ate a lot of Amish donuts, argued with my friends over the New England Patriots, and had to learn how to walk on ice.

Outside of lab, I like to cook, read, write, and spend Sunday afternoons watching whatever political, economic, public health or historical documentaries I could watch. I particularly enjoy debates and spreading science around.

Lab and animal colony manager
 jinling yuan

Undergraduate student
Rebecca Liu

 am currently a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in brain and behavioral sciences with an emphasis in pre-med here at Purdue University. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is my first time working in a research lab and I am very excited to continue nurturing my passion for science. I have always been fascinated by neuroscience, so I look forward to delving into the research aspect of it. After spending years in classroom labs, I am looking forward to the lab skills and experiences I will gain in Dr. Van Rijn’s lab! After graduation, I plan on attending medical school to earn my MD/PhD.
Outside of the lab, I am involved in the student council, mentoring other undergraduates in my college, and my sorority. I also enjoy running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Undergraduate student
Elizabeth Rhoda

I am a second year undergraduate student currently obtaining my undergraduate degree in Pre-Pharmacy at Purdue University. I plan on attending Purdue’s College of Pharmacy in the fall of 2020 in order to obtain my Pharm. D. I am excited to begin my work in Dr. van Rijn’s lab in order to cultivate the skills needed for exceptional research and to learn more about research surrounding protein biased signaling in neurological disorders. Outside of the lab, I am involved in various organizations around Purdue’s campus including Purdue Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Purdue Pharmacy Ambassadors. In my free time I enjoy running, drinking coffee, and relaxing

Undergraduate student
Sophia Palant

I am a third-year undergraduate student studying pre-pharmacy. I am from Palo Alto, California and I plan on attending Purdue University’s PharmD program in the Fall of 2021. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the VanRijn lab and use this as a time to gain knowledge of the inner workings of a professional laboratory, as well as participate in research aimed at understanding the role of Barr signaling in DOR-agonist induced seizures. Outside of the lab, I am involved in the Career Development Committee for pharmacy students, and Purdue University Dance Marathon, where I serve as the Sponsorships Monetary Executive.

Undergraduate student
Laura Payne

I'm a second-year undergraduate student from Plymouth, Indiana working to obtain my B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences here at Purdue. This is my first time working in a research lab and I'm incredibly excited to have the opportunity be here at the van Rijn lab. I've always loved being in lab during class and I’m eager to work on improving my skills in the lab. I'm very interested in learning more about opioid receptors and activities of psychostimulants so I’m very much looking forward to being a part of the research into them. In the future I'm hoping to continue my studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences in a graduate program and in my free time I like to read, listen to music, and spend time with my friends.