Lynette Cegelski PhD

Lynette Cegelski's research is inspired by the challenge and importance of elucidating chemical structure and function in biological systems and the need for new and unconventional approaches to solve outstanding problems in biology and medicine. The Cegelski laboratory has developed a unique set of tools, particularly integrating solid-state NMR spectroscopy with biochemistry and microbiology, to determine atomic- and molecular-level detail in macromolecular assemblies, intact cells, and bacterial biofilms.

Coupled with small-molecule screening and inhibitor discovery, they are driving the development of new strategies to address the global challenge of antibiotic resistance and infectious disease.Lynette Cegelski completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at SUNY-Binghamton, New York (B.S. summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa 1998), where she participated in research to determine the microtubule-bound conformation of the anti-cancer drug Taxol by REDOR solid-state NMR.

This formative experience motivated her move to Washington University to conduct her PhD training in the laboratory of Professor Jacob Schaefer, where she trained as a solid-state NMR spectroscopist (Ph.D. Biophysical Chemistry 2004). She investigated cell-wall and whole-cell systems and examined photosynthesis and photorespiration in intact leaf NMR experiments. She gained expertise in Microbiology and Infectious Disease research as a postdoctoral fellow in Molecular Microbiology at the Washington University School of Medicine, working with Professor Scott Hultgren.

There, she introduced the first small-molecule inhibitors of functional amyloid assembly in bacteria. She joined the faculty of the Stanford Chemistry Department in 2008. Her work has garnered early career awards, including the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award at the Scientific Interface, the 2010 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award.