LINTA MARUTHURETHU BIJU

I am a fifth-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry with a strong academic background in Biochemistry, Molecular biology, Applied Chemistry, and Biophysics. At UIC, the central theme of my research is to understand the molecular mechanisms of photoconversion in photoreceptor proteins using spectroscopic and dynamic crystallography experiments. Experienced in recombinant DNA technology, expression in multiple hosts (E. coli, Pichia), maintaining cyanobacterial cultures, protein characterization using assays, spectroscopy, cryoEM, Cryo-crystallography, and room-temperature Laue serial crystallography. Worked on multiple projects involving photoreceptors, beta-lactamases, and membrane-associated proteins.

• 08/26/24, Student Presenter award for Poster Presentation at the American
• 07/27/24, Urbach Travel Award for Poster presentation at the American Society of Photobiology
• 03/01/22, Student Presenter Award for Oral presentation at Gordon Research Seminar.
• 03/01/22, Gordon Research Conference Speaker Travel Award
• 08/01/22, Student Presenter Award for Oral presentation at ACS Conference.
• 04/01/22, Department of Chemistry, UIC Travel Award
• 01/01/16, Best Postgraduate Student Award Winner.
• 01/01/16, First Rank Holder in M.Sc. Applied Chemistry.
• 01/01/13, Secured A1 GPA - 9.21/10 grade for B.Sc. Chemistry.
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• Biju, L., Wang, C., Kang, W., Tom, I., Kumarapperuma, I., Yang, X., and Ren, Z, 2022, inSi-tuX: On-chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature., JoVE, 10.3791/63022
• Kumarapperuma, I., Joseph, K, L., Wang, C., Biju, L., Tom, I., Grébert, T., Partensky, F., Schluchter, W., Yang, X, 2022, Crystal structure and molecular mechanism of an E/F type bilin lyase-isomerase., Structure, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2022.01.007

8th Kyu (Greenbelt) in Dragon Karate and Kobudo. Trained in Fabric and Glass Painting. Sports Captain at Holy Angels Model School, Pathanamthitta, Kerala (2009). Sports Champion at Holy Angels Model School, Pathanamthitta, Kerala (2010 - 2013).

• Poster presenter at 42nd Steenbock Symposium, 06/07/22, Wisconsin, Madison, Light Induced structural Changes and Allosteric Activation in a Far-Red Photoreceptor.
• Speaker at 1st Annual Biophysical Student Research Symposium, 05/13/22, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Attendee - Sample Preparation workshop for CryoEM, 04/12/22 - 04/14/22, PNCC, Portland, Oregon
• Speaker at the Gordon Research Seminar on Photosensory Receptors and Signal Transduction (GRS), 03/26/22 - 03/27/22, Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, CA
• Poster Presenter at the Gordon Research Conference on Photosensory Receptors and Signal Transduction, 03/27/22 - 04/01/22, Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura, CA
• Attendee - RIC Summer Workshop series - Introduction to R, 07/01/21
• Oral presentation at CTriC 2018 National Seminar on Current Trends in Chemistry, 2016, Cochin University of Science and Technology

• Graduate Research, Xiaojing Yang, 08/01/19, Ongoing, Understanding the structure, dynamics, and signaling mechanism of the photoreceptors., Expression, purification, and crystallization of soluble and membrane proteins., Sample preparation for single particle cryo electron microscopy., Edited and submitted protocols and other required research documentation., Presented scientific papers in meetings and at conferences.
• Masters Research, Dr. Vipin Ipe Thomas, 08/01/16, 04/30/18, Aromaticity of various transition states involved in SEAr Bromination, Chlorination, Sulphonation and Nitration reactions of benzene.
• Masters Research, Dr. Rony Rajan Paul, 08/01/16, 04/30/18, Synthesis and characterization of few aldonitrones and ketonitrones.

• 08/01/19, Vitrobot Mark IV Certification - PNCC, Oregon
• 08/01/19, Autogrid Clipping Certification - PNCC, Oregon

• 07/27/24, I performed a spectroscopic demo on photoreceptor proteins for undergraduate students in the ASP 2024 outreach program
• 06/17/23, Conducted Demo Day at Baker Demonstration school
• 01/01/16, Served as an Internal Complaints Committee member at CMS College, Kottayam, India.
• 01/01/16, Served as The Association Treasurer - Department of Chemistry, CMS College, Kottayam.
• 01/01/13, Served as a member of National Service Scheme (2013-2014).
• 01/01/13, Served as Member of Bhoomithrasena (Earth's friend) scheme (2013-2014).
• 01/01/13, Served as member of 'Janaseva 2015' conducted by NSS and Social Justice Department.