Current Lab Members

Paul Thompson, PhD

Principal Investigator
Professor and Director of Chemical Biology 

LRB 825
Tel: 508-856-8492

Dr. Paul Thompson received his BSc and PhD degrees from McMaster University in Canada before moving to the US to take a postdoctoral position with Philip Cole at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  Paul then moved to the University of South Carolina to begin his independent career before moving to the Department of Chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, in May 2010.  Paul subsequently moved to Umass Chan in Aug 2014.  Paul has published more than 195 articles in major scientific journals including Nature, Cell, Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society.  Paul has also won a number of awards including a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship and a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award.

Shruti Choudhary, PhD

Small Molecular Screening Facility (SMSF) Manager

LRB 860E
 

Shruti received her B. Pharm degree from University of Delhi, India and her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She did her postdoc at The Scripps Research Institute, Florida targeting disease causing RNAs with small molecules. In the Thompson Lab, she works as a manager for the Small Molecule Screening Facility (SMSF) carrying out biochemical and molecular biology experiments to screen compound libraries against a variety of drug targets. Outside of lab she enjoys spending time with her cats, hiking, and finding good bakeries/dessert shops.

Leonard Barasa, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate

LRB 860A
 

Leonard received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, NY, in May 2020. He joined the Thompson lab in November 2020 to work on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of reversible and irreversible inhibitors of the STING, PADs and SARM1 proteins. Besides lab work, Leonard likes watching soccer, reading, watching documentaries, and traveling.  

Maeve O'Reilly, BS

Research Associate I

LRB 860A

Maeve completed her B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2023. As an undergraduate, Maeve conducted research on the kinetic properties of malate dehydrogenase, an enzyme integral to cellular respiration. Currently, in the Thompson lab, her research focuses on examining the effects of inhibitors on protein arginine deiminases (PADs) and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Both PADs and STING play crucial roles in inflammatory processes, aligning with Maeve’s interest in exploring the link between inflammation and disease. When not in lab, Maeve enjoys sushi, going to the gym, and spending time with her two dogs

Sauradip Chaudhuri, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate

LRB 860C
 

Sauradip joined the Thompson lab in September 2021. His current research entails the discovery and investigation of small-molecule inhibitors for STING innate immune protein. Trained in supramolecular organic chemistry, Sauradip is currently employing chemical biology and proteomics techniques to understand small molecule target inhibitor design and protein-inhibitor interactions. He has extensive knowledge in the field of cyclodextrin chemistry, as well as its application in designing drug delivery systems. Outside of work, he enjoys playing chess and cricket.

Janneke Doedee Isco, BS

PhD Candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (BMB)

LRB 860D
 

Janneke’s research is focused on characterizing the molecular mechanisms of TIR-1, the worm ortholog of SARM1. Like SARM1, TIR-1 is a NAD glycohydrolase that plays an important role in neuronal cell death. These studies will aid our efforts to develop inhibitors targeting the human enzyme and thereby provide therapies for a broad range of diseases including traumatic brain injury and peripheral neuropathies. Outside lab, Janneke enjoys hiking, knitting, cooking, and playing with her cat.

Webb Camille, BS

PhD Candidate in the MD/PhD Program

LRB 860C
 

Webb Camille is a graduate student in the MD/PhD program. He graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology concentrating in biomedical sciences. His work in the Thompson/Xu lab involves investigating the role of citrullination in ALS. Outside the lab he is the president and founder of OneLeaf Corp., a non-profit organization. In his free time, he likes to read, cook, learn new skills and remain active.

Leo DeOrsey, BS

Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology (BMB)

Leo graduated from Rhode Island College with a BM in clarinet performance, a BS in biology, and a minor in chemistry. His work in the Thompson lab involves characterizing the kinetics and activation of SARM1, a pro-neurodegenerative NAD⁺ glycohydrolase. He is also interested in testing novel inhibitors of this enzyme as a therapeutic approach to traumatic brain injuries, peripheral neuropathies, and glaucoma. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and continues to practice clarinet.

Sakshi Rajoria, Ph.D.

LRB 860C

Postdoctoral Associate 

Sakshi received her Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences from the Defence Research and Development Organization, Govt. of India (2021). Then she joined the Indidan Institute of Technology, Bombay as a postdoctoral research fellow (2021-2023). She joined the Thompson Lab in 2023. Her work entails elucidating the role of protein citrullination in ALS disease. In free time she enjoys painting and cooking for her loved ones.  

 Anju Singh, Ph.D.

  Postdoctoral Associate

LRB 860A

  Anju received her PhD in Chemistry from the department of chemistry Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi (2021). After that she joined as a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Pharmacy in Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea (2021-2022).  She joined IIT Delhi (2022) for a short time as a post-doctoral fellow.  She joined the Thompson lab in December 2022 to work on the design and synthesis novel NNMT inhibitors. Outside of the lab, she likes watching documentaries, reading and shopping