Anna-Kay R. West

Organic chemist with a strong background in organic synthesis, protein chemistry, and enzymatic assay development. Conducted research to develop chemical and biological tools for probing specific enzymatic pathways. Detail-oriented, innovative, and proficient in managing several research projects. Experienced in effective communication and working efficiently with teams.

• Association of Chemistry Graduate Students, Curriculum Committee student representative, 05/01/24, present
• The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) UTK student chapter, secretary, 01/01/24, 05/01/25
• Association of Chemistry Graduate Students, student-faculty interaction representative, 08/01/23, 05/01/24
• The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), member, 11/01/22, present
• American Chemical Society, member, 01/01/20, present

• West, A.R., Afolabi-Balogun, T.A., Martin, C.C., Cambron, L., Wakeel, M. A., Baccile, J. A., Bailey, C.B., Photoreactive pantetheinyl mimics reveal design limitations for crypto-acyl carrier proteins., ChemBioChem, in revision
• West, A.R; Bailey, C.B., Crosstalk between primary and secondary metabolism: Interconnected fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis in prokaryotes., Bioorg. Med. Chem Lett, 2023, 91, 129377
• West, AK.; Kaylor, L.; Subir, M.; Rayat, S., Synthesis, photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of push-pull tetrazoles., RSC Advances, 2022, 12, 34, 22331 - 22341

• 2024 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 51st Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 10/02/23, Investigating the promiscuity of diazirine-based photoreactive crosslinkers for protein-protein interactions, oral presentation
• 2023 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 50th Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 09/13/23, Development of fluorescence assay for quantitative measurements of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), poster
• 2022 ACS National Meeting and Expo, San Diego, CA, 03/20/22, Investigation into the inactive acyltransferase (AT) domain in module 2 and module 4 of the gephyronic acid biosynthesis, poster
• 2021 ACS National Meeting and Expo, Virtual, 04/12/21, Push-pull tetrazoles: Synthesis and investigation of their photophysical and non-linear optical properties, poster, video, live session
• Indiana Science Communication Day, Indianapolis, IN, 03/02/20, Synthesis of push-pull tetrazoles and investigation of their spectroscopic properties, 3-minute talk

• Graduate Research, 10/01/18, present, Dr. Joshua Baccile, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, Developed and optimized an enzymatic fluorescence assay for the quantification of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP)., Performed circular dichroism (CD) analysis on protein samples to assess protein stability and conformation., Performed dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments on protein samples to assess the hydrodynamic radius and particle size distribution of the sample., Performed Western blotting analysis for the detection of larger molecular weight protein, DEBS1TE., Designed, optimized, and conducted chemoenzymatic reaction assays for photoreactive group loading onto carrier protein., Designed plasmids and primers for Gibson assembly, DNA cloning, and protein expression in yeast and bacteria., Design gblocks with various restriction sites and construct DNA plasmids for DNA cloning., Perform restriction cloning, DNA transformation, and DNA gel electrophoresis. Proficient in reaction optimization and data analysis., Perform E. coli electrocompetent cell preparation., Perform protein expression and purification techniques (manual purification of histidine-tagged recombinant proteins using Ni-NTA resin)., Operate preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for purifying organic compounds., Operate Q-TOF LC-MS for the analysis of small molecules and biomolecules (proteins)., Literature searching skills and computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, EndNote, Zotero, Benchling, Clustal Omega, Ncbi BLAST, ChemDraw, Mnova, Adobe Illustrator).
• Graduate Research, 12/01/20, 12/31/22, Dr. Constance Bailey, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, Design DNA plasmid and primers for DNA amplification and cloning., Perform DNA amplification and cloning techniques, including PCR setup, transformation, colony PCR, troubleshooting reactions, and data analysis., Perform protein expression and purification techniques, including protein synthesis and equipment operation (Fast protein liquid chromatography)., Operate equipment such as direct analysis in real-time (DART) mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize synthesized diazirine-based compounds., Synthesized three diazirine-based photo-crosslinking probes to study protein interactions., Literature searching skills and computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Endnote, Sciwheel, Snapgene, ChemDraw, Mnova, J5 DIVA, Ncbi BLAST, Clustal Omega).
• Graduate Research, 10/01/18, 07/31/20, Dr. Sundeep Rayat, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, Synthesized several tetrazole-based organic push-pull chromophores for use in materials chemistry., Performed DFT calculations on synthesized push-pull chromophores., Utilized NMR and Mass Spectroscopy to characterize the synthesized push-pull chromophores., Investigated the photophysical properties of synthesized tetrazole-based push-pull chromophores using ultraviolet and fluorescence spectroscopy instruments., Literature searching skills and computer skills (Excel, EndNote, DFT calculations).
• Undergraduate Research, 05/01/15, 08/31/17, Dr. Zhihai Li, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, Performed imaging experiments on the Atomic Force Microscope and executed techniques such as mounting a tip, laser alignment, sample preparation, image analysis, and optimization on the BioAFM viewer software., Performed imaging experiments on the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) and executed techniques such as making tip, tip mounting, sample preparation, and image analysis., Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of RNA nanoparticles on mica and gold nanoparticles., Characterization of hexane thiol-protected gold Nanoparticles with AFM., Trained incoming research assistants on how to properly operate the Atomic Force Microscope, including tip mounting, laser alignment, equipment setup, and imaging.