Dmitriy Prokopovich
Santa Barbara,California
Summary
Scientific research professional with robust foundation in academic research and analysis. Proven ability to contribute to impactful studies, with strong focus on collaborative efforts and achieving research objectives. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic research settings, utilizing critical thinking and analytical skills to advance study outcomes.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Student Researcher, Chemistry
University of California, Santa Barbara
08.2018 - 09.2025
- In vitro characterization of toxic peptide oligomers associated with dementia using Ion-Mobility Mass Spectrometry, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Circular Dichroism
- Characterized mechanical properties of protein amyloids using AFM phase imaging
- Collaborated with the Lazar group at Westmont College to synthesize novel peptides
- Repaired and modified home-built ion mobility mass spectrometers
- Followed protocols and procedures to ensure protein solubility and consistently generate quality IMS data
- Mentored junior lab researchers in the context of mass spectrometer use and repair
- Designed, executed, and analyzed experiments
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara
08.2018 - 01.2024
- Taught Biochemistry as well as General, Physical and Analytical Chemistry courses to undergraduate students
Researcher, Laser Processing Lab
Rutgers University – Camden
07.2017 - 01.2018
- Performed Pulsed Laser Ablation of polymersomes in the context of drug delivery
Researcher, Computational Biophysics
Rutgers University
07.2015 - 06.2017
- In silico investigation of Alzheimer’s Disease tau protein folding using Amber molecular dynamics package
- Assessed the effect of chemical modifications on tau protein folding
- Created a first author publication of the work
Education
Ph.D. -
University of California, Santa Barbara
01.2025
M.S. - Chemistry
University of California, Santa Barbara
01.2022
B.S. - Biophysics and Biochemistry
Rutgers University, Camden
01.2018
Skills
- Ion-mobility mass spectrometry
- Atomic force microscopy
- Circular dichroism
- Protein characterization
- Experimental design
- Data analysis
- Molecular dynamics simulation
- Technical writing
- Laboratory safety protocols
- Instrument troubleshooting
- Research collaboration
- Mentoring students
- Presentation skills
- Time management
- Project management
- Statistical analysis methods
- Critical thinking
- Good laboratory practices (GLP)
- Data collection and organization
- Scientific writing
- Data collection
- File management
- Research design
- Data interpretation
- Quantitative research
- Experiment design
- Academic networking
- Lab techniques
- Quality assurance controls
- Method validation
- Literature review
- Team collaboration
- Effective multitasking
Accomplishments
· 2024 Robert H. DeWolfe Distinguished Teaching Fellowship Award issued June 2024 by the University of California, Santa Barbara Chemistry and Biochemistry department
· Dean's Undergraduate Research Prize issued Apr 2017 by Kriste Lindenmeyer, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School, Rutgers University-Camden
Athenaeum Honors Society, issued May 2017 by Kriste Lindenmeyer, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and Graduate School, Rutgers University-Camden
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- In Progress/Pending
- Laos V.14, Bishop D.1, Prokopovich D.3, Cantrell K.L.2, Do T.3 Buratto S.K.1, Bowers M.T.1
- "Characterizing Oligomeric Assembly of SOD1: Links to Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)"
- Prokopovich D.14, Liu X.2, Cantrell K.L.2, Buratto S.K.1, Bowers M.T.1
- "Characterizing the coaggregation of Tat11 and A¸ (25-35) peptides: A case for Tat11 being the key catalytic fragment of HIV1-Tat protein’s neurotoxicity"
- Published
- "Impact of Phosphorylation and Pseudo-Phosphorylation on the Early Stages of Aggregation of the Microtubule Associated Protein Tau", D. Prokopovich, M.M. Muthee, A. Ahmed, L. Larini, J. Phys. Chem. B, 121, 2095 (2017)
- Delivered
- "Catalyzing toxic aggregation of amyloid beta (25-35) through coaggregation with HIV1-TAT fragment" D. Prokopovich, S.K. Buratto, M.T. Bowers, Lake Arrowhead Conference on Mass Spectrometry, January 12, 2024 Lake Arrowhead talk
- "Coaggregation and Oligomeric Assembly of HIV1-TAT (47-57) and amyloid b (25-35)" Dmitriy Prokopovich, Steve Buratto, M.T. Bowers, Lake Arrowhead Ion Chemistry Conference, January 13-15, 2023 Lake Arrowhead poster
- "Computational Study of Pseudo-phosphorylation of the Microtubule associated Protein Tau", D. Prokopovich, L. Larini, APS March Meeting 2016, March 14–18, 2016 Baltimore, Maryland poster
- "Pseudo-phosphorylation of the tau protein and its implication for aggregation" Dmitriy Prokopovich, L. Larini, ACS meeting Philadelphia, August 21 -25, 2016 poster
Languages
Russian
Limited Working
Timeline
Graduate Student Researcher, Chemistry
University of California, Santa Barbara
08.2018 - 09.2025
Chemistry Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara
08.2018 - 01.2024
Researcher, Laser Processing Lab
Rutgers University – Camden
07.2017 - 01.2018
Researcher, Computational Biophysics
Rutgers University
07.2015 - 06.2017
M.S. - Chemistry
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. - Biophysics and Biochemistry
Rutgers University, Camden
Ph.D. -
University of California, Santa Barbara