Principal Investigator
Lauren J. Rajakovich, Ph.D. (she/her) Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Lauren received her B.S. in Chemistry from Wake Forest University in 2011, working in the laboratory of Patricia Dos Santos. Lauren earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology from the Pennsylvania State University in 2017. She trained in the joint laboratory of Marty Bollinger, Jr. and Carsten Krebs, studying the mechanistic and functional diversity of non-heme diiron oxidases and oxygenases. Lauren did her postdoctoral training with Emily Balskus at Harvard University as a Merck fellow of the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation. Her research focused on dietary nutrient metabolism by the human gut microbiota linked to cardiovascular disease. She started her independent research group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington in January 2022.
Graduate Students
Paige Gannon (she/her)
pmgannon@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
Paige is exploring how metalloenzymes carry out novel chemistry under anaerobic conditions. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, rock climbing, and playing board games.
Rachelle Stowell (she/her)
stowell9@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
(co-advisor: Stefan Stoll)
Sam Syberg (he/him)
samsyber@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
Sam is elucidating the biosynthetic pathway to produce a microbiome-derived metabolite associated with human disease. Sam likes outdoor activities like skiing, running, biking, camping and kayaking, as well as learning languages!
Haoxian Xu (he/him)
xsam0510@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
Jayden Eppley (she/her)
jceppley@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
Jayden is studying small molecules produced by the gut microbiome that have implications in human health. Outside of research, Jayden enjoys coffee, painting, and spending time outdoors.
Natalie Rutz (she/her)
nrutz@uw.edu
Chemistry Ph.D. program
Undergraduate Students
Lia Barrow (she/her)
Biochemistry Major, UW
Dylan Abramson (he/him)
Biochemistry Major, UW
Avery Martin
Biochemistry Major, UW
Tanner Olson (he/him)
Biochemistry Major, UW
Lab Alumni
Undergraduate Students
Hayden Henry, B.S. Biochemistry ‘23 | current - UW Chemistry Ph.D. program
Rowena Yin, B.S. Biochemistry ‘23