Katherine M. Davis

Principal Investigator

Pronouns: she/her/hers

After formal coursework in physics and mathematics, Kate pursued doctoral research under Prof. Yulia Pushkar (Dept. of Physics) at Purdue University where she used X-ray spectroscopic techniques to characterize catalytic mechanisms of natural and artificial photosynthetic reaction centers by monitoring the structural and electronic changes associated with turnover.

Vatsal Purohit

Member since Spring 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his

I grew up in Bangalore, India and moved to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics and Biology. During this time, I worked as an undergraduate researcher for Dr. Yulia Pushkar and assisted with projects specializing in time-resolved spectroscopic studies that elucidated the water-splitting reaction mechanism in the Photosystem II complex and several Ruthenium-based artificial catalysts. My undergraduate studies drew me to stick with biophysical research and I decided to stay back at Purdue to pursue my PhD in the Department of Biological Sciences through the Inter-Disciplinary Life Sciences program. During my PhD, I worked with Dr. Cynthia Stauffacher and my project was centered around developing and applying a pH-jump triggering approach to observe the reaction mechanism of bacterial HMG-CoA reductase using time-resolved crystallography. My research experiences have made me passionate about developing novel methods that build upon the current biophysical capabilities for studying enzymatic mechanisms, thus leading me to the research being pursued at the Davis lab. Besides science, I enjoy music, films, podcasts and reading.

Tamra Blue

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hello! My name is Tamra Blue and I have a passion for teaching, learning, and researching chemistry.  I received my Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. My undergraduate research focused on the synthesis of CXCR4 inhibitors, which are directly involved in breast cancer cell metastasis. I joined Emory as a member of the Lutz lab where I systematically characterized a protein superfamily in order to discover industrially relevant biocatalyst. My current work in the Davis lab involves the mechanistic determination and crystallization of a 4Fe-4S cluster containing family within the old yellow enzyme superfamily. When I’m not in the lab I am actively involved in my local NOBCChE Chapter helping to spread diversity, inclusion, and smiles to a field traditionally composed of the opposite 😊.

Sahand Emamian

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: he/him/his

I am originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I received my BS in Physics from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2016 (Go Hoosiers!), with minors in mathematics, chemistry, and linguistics. Originally a pre-med student, I made sure to have a good background in biology and chemistry. After college I spent time as a research intern and then a post-baccalaureate fellow at Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory, where I mainly focused on development of photocathodes for the Stanford Linear Accelerator. All of these experiences have culminated in a strong basis for the interdisciplinarity of the Davis Lab!

Stacey Jones

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: he/him/his

I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. I migrated down to Atlanta for high school and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Georgia State University. My undergraduate research focused on investigating the mechanism of ubiquitin chain synthesis using unnatural amino acid incorporation. Some of my hobbies are video games and watching anime, as well as the occasional game of basketball.

Kirklin (Kirk) McWhorter

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: he/him/his

I was born and raised in Alabama and moved to Atlanta once graduate school started. At Auburn University, I graduated with a bachelor’s in biochemistry and a minor in philosophy. My undergraduate work included studying catalase-peroxidase, a heme-dependent enzyme, and my current work is focused on devising optimal time resolution for reaction monitoring in crystallized metalloenzymes. Besides science, I like to stay active in philosophy and novel reading, love singing, and when I can I love to play some video games.

Kendra Ireland

Member since Spring 2020

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I was born and raised in a small town in Northern Maine and graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in biology. My undergraduate research focused on the synthesis and application of photocaged substrates for heme-dependent cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. My current work in the Davis lab involves the structural characterization of catalytically relevant heme enzyme intermediates, with a focus on systems important for regulating the human immune response. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy visiting local breweries, going on hikes, making/eating soup, crafting, and traveling!

Samantha (Sam) Horwitz

Member since Fall 2020

Pronouns: she/her/hers

I grew up near Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in English in 2020. In undergrad, my research focused on the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of novel inorganic compounds, but I also spent time as an editor for one of my school’s annual literary and art magazines, Brainchild. My current work in the Davis lab involves the development of time-resolved X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy methods for studying metalloenzyme dynamics in crystallo. When I’m not in lab, I’m usually playing or recording music with my  band Indigo Bunting, rereading Harry Potter for the 20^th time or cooking vats of vegetarian curries.

Benjamin (Ben) Dratch

Lidia Waidmann

Gabe DeLong

Member since Fall 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his/they/them/theirs

Hey, I’m Gabe! I grew up in rural Pennsylvania outside of Allentown. I graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. During my undergraduate research in the Willets lab, I worked with gold nanosphere lithography, gold nanorod synthesis, and sample preparation of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticle arrays. Outside of chemistry, I love astrology, horror movies, and Charli XCX.

Joe Ambarian (EC ’23)

Member since Summer 2021

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hi! I am a Chemistry and Theater Studies double major, originally from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. I love studying how light interacts with matter—especially the physics that lets us visualize biomolecules up close. I am interested in pursuing graduate school for chemistry, with a particular focus on biophysics. Outside of lab, you can find me scouring Atlanta for vintage bookstores, humming Taylor Swift on public transportation, and watching Survivor with friends.

Ken Dorazio (EC ’24)

Member since summer 2022

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hello! My name is Ken, and I am originally from Bedford, New York. I am an undergraduate student double majoring in Chemistry and Materials Science. I have a particular interest in how math, cs, and physics can be used to elucidate chemical structure and properties as a basis for understanding biology. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing & watching tennis, driving around ATL, traveling, and tinkering with & taking apart anything I can.

Riddhi Jhunjhunwala (EC ’25)

Member since summer 2022

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hi everyone, my name is Riddhi and I am from New Delhi, India! I am an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in chemistry and economics on the pre-med track. I am interested in the biological applications of chemistry as long as the real-time visualization of biomolecules. I love drinking coffee, running, meeting new people, and eating Italian food 🙂

We saved you a spot!

Interested in joining the team?

The Davis Lab accepts rotation students as part of the chemistry graduate program. Apply to the graduate program.

Undergraduate researchers should reach out to Kate directly. For tips about getting involved in undergraduate research in chemistry, check out the Undergraduate Research Information Guide.