Dr. Stephen Mayo

 

Dr. Stephen Mayo is a biologist and biophysicist at Caltech studying protein engineering. Before becoming a prominent researcher, Mayo studied Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University. Following his undergraduate studies, he went on to receive a Ph.D. from Caltech, where he currently works. Later, he was appointed to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science board.

In his lab, Mayo is focused on developing a systematic protein design algorithm. This algorithm would be able to predict how proteins would fold based on their genetic sequence. Furthermore, Mayo aims to design proteins with enhanced or novel functions using this algorithm. Of course, this algorithm relies heavily on fundamental physics. For example, predicting how proteins will interact when they collide is as much a physical problem as it is a biological one. 

Stephen Mayo's research is truly amazing as it shows how intertwined biology, chemistry, and physics are in our everyday lives. While his algorithm is still developing, the effects are far-reaching. His work could help find novel cures from antivirals to cancer treatments.