Current Deredge Lab Members
Daniel Deredge
Daniel Deredge
Dr. Deredge received his PhD in biochemistry from Louisiana State University, studying DNA binding properties of bacterial DNA polymerases. His postdoctoral training was in structural mass spectrometry at Case Western Reserve University, applying Hydrogen-Deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to HIV reverse transcriptase. At the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Deredge expanded the application of HDX-MS and other structural MS methods to a multitude of systems, including viral RNA polymerases, bacterial heme uptake protein or neurotransmitter: sodium symporter, and integrating it with computational methods.
PhD Candidates
Kyle Kihn
Kyle graduated from Goucher College (Baltimore, MD) in 2018 with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, where he competed for their track program and their equestrian program. Kyle is originally from Louisville Colorado and loves anything outdoors. Currently Kyle rock climbs, rides horses (hunt seat equitation), and hikes. He also volunteers as a track and field coach for local high schools.
Juliet Obi (She/Her/Hers)
Juliet has a Pharmacy degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana and a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), in Albany, New York. She is currently a rising 4th year PhD candidate in the Deredge lab. When she is not in the lab doing some science, she loves to hang out with friends, and engage in extracurricular activities including volunteering and professional development opportunities. Some of her hobbies include singing, traveling, and spending some quality time with herself.
Ally grew up in Kerrville, TX and received her B.S. in biochemistry from the University of North Texas in 2016. In addition to serving as secretary for the Biophysical Society Student Chapter at UMB, she is also a member of the Rho Chi Honor Society. In her spare time, Ally enjoys baking, gardening, and hiking.
PharmD Research Students
Linfah Mcqueen (She/Her/Hers)
Linfah is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where she represented her country on the National Women’s Soccer Team. She earned her BSc. in Biology in 2015 from William Carey University, where she attended on a Soccer Scholarship. After 4 years of experience in various roles in community pharmacy, Linfah joined the 2023 PharmD cohort in the Fall 2019 with a motivation for conducting scientific research. As a culmination of her various leadership roles, Linfah was inducted into the PLS honor society in 2022. Linfah enjoys outdoor activities including soccer, hiking and snowboarding. Following her PharmD graduation in 2023, Linfah fully intends to continue her scientific research as a PSC PhD candidate.
Pushti Shah
Pushti is originally from Gujarat, India and has spent most of her life living with her family in South Jersey. She went to Temple University in Philadelphia to complete her undergraduate requirements for pharmacy school and started her graduate studies in the Fall of 2019 at UMSOP. Throughout her years of pharmacy school, she has become increasingly interested in the Public Health field and providing healthcare services to underserved communities. She was inducted into Phi Lambda Sigma in 2022 due to her leadership roles in several organizations. Pushti enjoys spending her free time with her two loving cats, doing outdoor activities, and using her creativity to paint or work on crafts. After graduation from the Pharm.D. program, she plans to pursue residency and eventually work in an environment that is fulfilling to her.
Past Deredge Lab Members
Vincent Lowe
Vincent is an undergraduate at the University of North Texas pursuing his B.S. in chemistry, with a minor in biology and technical communication. He aims to earn his PhD in pharmaceutical sciences with a focus on pharmacometrics. He was able to join the Deredge lab on an internship through the School of Pharmacy at UMB, and during that time was able to help create two algorithms to aid in HDX and HDX-ER data analysis. In his spare time he is an extreme nerd! His hobbies include, but are not limited to, Table-Top Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs), Trading Card Games, Working with and building computers, building/engineering cosplay parts, and spending time with friends.
Ahmad Karanji
Dr. Karanji received his PhD from West Virginia University in Analytical Chemistry in 2020. He earned his MS in Physical Chemistry from Sharif University of Technology. Ahmad has a couple years of experience working in polymer and pharmaceutical industry. At UMB, his research is primarily involved in the structural characterization of biologics and protein therapeutics as a function of various formulation and excipients using structural mass spectrometry tools, in particular hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) coupled with mass spectrometry. Ahmad also collaborates with groups in projects within the University of Maryland School of Medicine as well as industrial company partners.