Chemist Receives NIH Grant for Computational Research

Frank Vazquez
January 7, 2020

Chemistry Assistant Professor Frank X. Vázquez, Ph.D. has received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) grant in the amount of $492,000 over three years for his project, “Multiscale Modeling of Dynamin Induced Membrane Fission.”

Dr. Vázquez’s lab conducts computational research that models the motions of the protein dynamin. By developing models to understand the fundamental biological processes of protein-protein interactions, Dr. Vázquez’s research will ultimately contribute to scientific understanding of fundamental cellular processes.

dynamin structure
Dr. Vazquez's computational model of the protein dynamin.

The SCORE program seeks to increase the research competitiveness of faculty at under-resourced institutions that have explicitly stated historical missions focused on training and graduating students from groups nationally underrepresented in biomedical research.

The grant award will allow Dr. Vázquez’s lab to quadruple the size of its computing resources, gaining the technology needed to develop more advanced simulation methods and models.

Before joining the faculty at St. John’s, Dr. Vázquez completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Chicago and IBM. His Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and his B.S. in Chemistry is from Northern Arizona University.

Related News

Dean Jerrold Ross Conference Room Unveiled

On Tuesday, December 10, the newly renovated conference room on the fifth floor of Sullivan Hall was dedicated in honor of Jerrold Ross, Ph.D., former Dean of The School of Education . The renovation...

Institute for Catholic Schools Provides Educational Resources to Local Catholic School

The Institute for Catholic Schools (ICS) in The School of Education at St. John’s University recently donated approximately $2,800 worth of academic and sensory learning tools to Father Vincent...

Meet Anna R. Lukachik ’80Ed, Pietas Medal Recipient

At St. John’s University’s annual Alumni Convocation on October 18, Anna R. Lukachik ’80Ed received the Pietas Medal, an award that honors exceptional alumni for their service and achievements...