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 position in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology 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. 

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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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:
Mee Jung KO

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and masters degree in Medicine from Konkuk University, located at the center of Seoul, Korea. As an undergraduate research intern at Konkuk University, I worked on “Functional significances of cytochrome P450 1A2 Allelic Variants” under the supervision of Dr. Dong Hak Kim. For my masters, I focused on neuroscience and specifically studied on “The effects of social interaction on stress-induced abnormal behaviors and ERK1/2 activation in medial prefrontal cortex of mice” in the Center for Geriatric Neuroscience Research (CGNR) of Dr. Chan Young Shin.
 
Outside the lab, I like to travel, play squash and have coffee at the Greyhouse.

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!

Undergraduate student:
Kendall Mores

I am from Hebron, IN a very small town in the northwest corner of the state. Currently, I am a third-year student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Purdue University, with the hope of subsequently attaining a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. Throughout my years at Purdue, I have had the privilege of becoming a Lab Teaching Assistant for the Organic Chemistry I & II courses offered through the School of Pharmacy’s Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Department. I hope that by working in Dr. van Rijn’s lab, I can greatly expand on this limited knowledge that I have gained during my time as a Lab Teaching Assistant.  As a student who has always been interested in neuropharmacology and disease pathology, I was extremely excited upon reading the areas of specialization and the current topics of research in Dr. van Rijn’s lab. I look forward to not only learning, but also being able to conduct hands on research in this remarkably interesting field!
 
Outside of lab, I love to read, attend concerts, hammock, spend time with my dogs, and camp.

Undergraduate student:
Arbaaz A Mukadam

I’m a third-year student inclined towards acquiring a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Purdue University. I’m an international student brought up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates although I was originally born in Mumbai, India. Research fascinates me as it gives me the opportunity to brainstorm, innovate and come up with new ideas - which contribute to a larger cause that could potentially benefit thousands if not millions of people in the future. I am particularly interested in studying the brain which is why I am excited to work in the van Rijn lab due to the compelling research topics in the field of neuropharmacology. The topic that grabbed my attention was understanding how tolerance and dependence on opioids can form by understanding the pharmacology of the delta-opioid receptor. This appeals to me personally as I have seen my fair share of abuse and addiction by people close to me and would like to do what I can to help such people in similar circumstances.
 
Outside of the lab, I like to relax with friends and occasionally play some video games. I also like to listen to music a lot which is why I’ve been teaching myself how to play the guitar and drums.

Undergraduate student:
Grace Mulia

I am a third-year student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Purdue University. I was born and raised in Bali, Indonesia and came to the United States for the first time in 2013. I started out in Seattle to pursue an Associate’s degree in Biochemistry and in 2015 I transferred to Purdue to pursue my Bachelor’s degree. During my time at Purdue University, I had the opportunity to take part in a Global Internship Program in Seoul, South Korea. I became an intern at Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceuticals, one of the top pharmaceutical company in South Korea. This experience along with my experience as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in an introductory Biology lab course at Purdue developed my interest towards the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in research & development. I always had a huge interest in having hands-on experience in a research laboratory and to apply the knowledge I have outside of a classroom setting. I am excited to be a part of Dr. van Rijn’s lab and expand my knowledge further in neuropharmacology and building my skills as a researcher.

​Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching movies/TV shows, listening to music and drawing. I also like to explore new cafes to try out their coffee/tea!

Undergraduate student:
Maria Shelley

I grew up in Northwest Indiana, specifically the town of Crown Point. All of my siblings have graduated from Purdue, and I’m hoping to follow suit! I completed two years of undergraduate studies here, and am currently about to begin my second year of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. During my years at Purdue, I have had the opportunity to study abroad in Belize and attend a service trip in Honduras, as well as complete a service learning course in Drug Abuse and Addiction Education, which involved teaching sixth graders basic terminology about addiction. This experience sparked my interest in the pathophysiology of addiction, and I hope to expand on this knowledge while working in Dr. van Rijn’s lab. This will give me a wonderful opportunity to begin conducting research in such a pertinent field, and help me understand everything that goes into the drug discovery process, which is a valuable perspective to have in pharmacy.
 
Outside of the lab, I love to travel, relax with friends, and (most importantly) spoil my dog.

The Lab-lab:
Mango

Mango the lazy, gentle laboratory labrador. Did someone say nap time.