Affiliated Investigators
What is a SynBERC Affiliated Investigator?
| Michelle Chang |
UC Berkeley | Utilizing the approaches of mechanistic biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology to address problems in energy and human health |
| Douglas Densmore | Boston University | Computer-assisted design of biological systems |
| John Dueber |
UC Berkeley |
Designable, modular control over living cells. We are particularly interested in biofuel applications; Engineered metabolic pathway efficiency and signaling flux |
| Julius Lucks | Cornell | Bottom-up design and construction of sophisticated genetic systems with predictable function; RNA-based regulators of gene expression. |
| Gautam Mukunda | Harvard Business School | The political, economic, and social implications of technological change, focusing particularly on the implications of synthetic biology |
| Howard Salis |
Penn State University |
Biophysical models and methods to rationally predict and control the behavior of biological organisms; Synthetic genetic systems with applications in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and biologic therapeutics |
| David Savage | UC Berkeley | Novel therapies, environmentally friendly chemistry. Investigating unique organisms, understanding metabolism and how it can be engineered to do useful things, and developing new tools for metabolic research. |
| Jeff Tabor |
Rice University |
Programmed synthetic gene networks; Complex network interactions and behaviors such as pattern formation and population interactions |
| Danielle Tullman-Ercek | UC Berkeley | Engineering naturally occurring biological parts, systems and organisms to yield improved and novel functions for industrial and pharmaceutical applications |
What is a SynBERC Affiliated Investigator?
Through our SynBERC Affiliated Investigators Program, SynBERC encourages graduated students and postdocs from SynBERC-funded labs, who have become faculty members at universities or colleges to remain a part of its synthetic biology research network. Affiliated Investigators (AIs) and their students fully participate in the SynBERC semi-annual scientific retreats by presenting talks/posters and interacting with the SynBERC community, including industry and scientific advisers, helping SynBERC achieve our collective research aims, with the hope of shaping the field of synthetic biology for maximum benefit to all.
Mechanism:
- A SynBERC PI nominates a former student or postdoc who was involved with SynBERC to become an Affiliated Investigator. The Affiliated Investigator must be a current faculty member at a college or university.
- Once approved, the Affiliated Investigator may need to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement with UC Berkeley, the headquarters of SynBERC. Affiliated Investigators will be listed on the SynBERC website and official SynBERC documents.
- Affiliated Investigators and their students are expected to actively participate in SynBERC's semi-annual retreats. Relevant projects in the Affiliated Investigator’s laboratory should be included in the SynBERC associated projects database.
- Affiliated Investigators will not receive research support from SynBERC, but SynBERC may be able to provide a limited number of Travel Fellowships for student travel to the retreats and other meetings as appropriate.
- Affiliated Investigators are expected to take part in all public research discussions and decisions but will not participate in SynBERC managerial discussions.
- The appointment will be on a yearly basis with renewal subject to SynBERC management approval. SynBERC or the Affiliated Investigator can discontinue the relationship if it is not fruitful or for any other reason at any time.
If you are interested in becoming a SynBERC Affiliated Investigator, talk to a SynBERC Principal Investigator.
