Current Deredge Lab Members
Daniel Deredge
Dr. Daniel Deredge, PhD
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
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 5th year PhD candidate in the Deredge lab. When she is not in the lab doing 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 Smith
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.
Agbo-oma Uwakweh
Agbo-oma attended the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Chemistry. During this time, she developed an interest in mass spectrometry-based applications and its versatility in research and development. She is a 2nd year PHD student in the Deredge Lab and is serving as the treasurer for the UMB Biophysical Society Student Chapter. Some of her favorite activities include reading fiction novels, listening to music, wandering through museums, and trying out new cuisines.
Dr. Linfah Mcqueen, PharmD (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. In 2023, she received her PharmD from University of Maryland School of Pharmacy where she was awarded the Leadership Award for the graduating Class of 2023. In 2023, she also graduated from the Inclusive Leadership program at UMB’s President’s Student Leadership Institute and earned a Research Pathway Certificate from the school of pharmacy. Linfah enjoys outdoor activities including soccer, hiking and snowboarding.
Linfah is now a first year student with the UMB Pharmaceutical Sciences department as a Meyerhoff Fellow and an official PhD student member of the Deredge Lab.
Past Deredge Lab Members
Dr. Kyle Kihn, PhD
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.
Under the guidance of Dr. Deredge and Dr. Wintrode, Dr. Kyle Kihn successfully defended his PhD thesis titled: HDX-MS, Molecular Dynamics, and Modeling: An Integrative Approach to Model Solution Structural Ensembles, on September 11th, 2023.
Dr. Kihn is continuing his academic journey as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Brelidze lab at Georgetown University School of Medicine. There he is working on applying molecular dynamics, machine learning, and modeling, to design small molecule drugs for a range of voltage-gated ion channels.
Dr. Pushti Shah, PharmD
Pushti is originally from Gujarat, India and has spent most of her life living with her family in South Jersey. She received her PharmD from University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and was awarded the Leadership Award for the graduating Class of 2023. In 2023, Pushti also received a Pharmpreneurship Pathway certificate from the school of pharmacy. Pushti enjoys spending her free time with her two loving cats, doing outdoor activities, and using her creativity to paint or work on crafts.
Pushti is now an acute care PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. After her PGY1 she plans to become a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist and pursue a PGY2 in one of her areas of interest which include pediatrics, infectious diseases, and emergency medicine.
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.
Vincent is now a first year UMB PSC PhD student and a member of the Gobburu Lab.
Dr. Ahmad Karanji, PhD
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.