Jacqueline Ehrlich
- 2025 Alum Speaker
- 2018-2019 Stupka Scholar
- 2019 Student Speaker
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Bio
Bio from 2025 Alum Speaker role:
Jacqueline is a 5th year PhD student in the Kawate lab at Cornell University. She is investigating the structural biology of membrane proteins, something she became interested in by researching in Olga Zabotina’s lab, being trained by Al Culbertson, and taking Eric Underbakke’s class on biomembranes. In her four years in Olga’s lab, she worked on the catalytic mechanism, kinetics, and substrate specificity of the xyloglucan synthesizing enzyme, Xyloglucan Xylosyltransferase 1 (XXT1). Jacqueline eagerly presented her findings at Stupka each year. For Jacqueline, Stupka holds a special place in her heart; she was a Stupka scholar and served on the publicity committee for three years before co-chairing the 2020 symposium (iykyk).
Jacqueline’s current research centers around the structure and function of membrane proteins using single particle cryo-EM and C. elegans. She is most interested in solving structures to elucidate a mechanism of action. For example, her work on the ATP-releasing ion channels of the eukaryotic plasma membrane involves treating the channel with opening or closing stimulus to reveal unpredicted or dynamic structural features. Jacqueline frequently attributes her research success to the accessibility to undergraduate research and the support from BBMB during her time at Iowa State. She is committed to providing these opportunities to the next generation by continuing her career in academia. Jacqueline plans to defend her thesis in May 2026 and begin post-doctoral research in membrane protein structural biology.
Bio from 2019 Student Speaker role:
Jacqueline Ehrlich is majoring in biochemistry and minoring in nutrition. She has previously been actively involved in BBMB by leading as a peer mentor, organizing Breakfast Club, and serving as a co-chair for the Stupka Publicity Committee. Recently, she has been planning for Stupka 2020 as a co-chair. In addition, research continues to be her number one passion. Jacqueline studies the xyloglucan synthesizing complex and biosynthetic pathways in Dr. Olga Zabotina’s lab. She will continue to follow her research dreams in graduate school, with the hopes of continuing in academia.