Megan E. Filbin, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Along with teaching a variety of biochemistry courses, I lead an active undergraduate research group. We study mechanisms of translation regulation, with a special emphasis on biomolecular structure.

I am passionate about inclusion and STEM equity and I promote these through many mechanisms:

Co-founder of MSU Denver’s annual Women in STEM Conference.
Committee member for the ASBMB’s Women in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Committee.
Co-director of a REU through the RNA Bioscience Initiative at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus.
Member of the Board of Directors for the MSU Denver Postbaccalaureate Bridge Program.
Co-founded the RNA@PUI supergroup of faculty (and future faculty) and students at primarily undergraduate institutions.

Current Members

Bosun T. Olabode B.S. Biology, Chemistry Minor 2024 | B.A. Psychology 2017 (CSU, Fullerton, Ca)

I am doing research on how Blackcurrant Reversion Virus (BRV), one of the leading causes of crop failure in the agricultural growth, utilizes a method of non-canonical translation initiation, via RNA structures at 3′ end of the genome, called a cap-independent translation enhancer (CITE) to recruit the ribosome of the viral genome. In addition, to my undergraduate studies and research, I currently serve in the U.S. Air Force. After I graduate in spring 2024, I plan to apply to medical school, with a focus on Neurology, Cardiology, or Nephrology.

Kate VandeVenter B.S. Biochemistry, Biology Minor 2024 | A.A.S. Biology 2022 (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh)

I am currently working on investigating the structure and function of the 3’ CITE of Blackcurrant Reversion Virus in continuation of a project I started in CHE 4390 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory. Following graduation, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with the long-term goal of working in a government lab.

Steven Mendoza B.S. Biochemistry 2025

I am currently working on how the non-coding region in BRV’s 3’ CITE affects the translation of viral proteins by generating my own mutants and researching natural mutations from BRV variants across the world. After graduation, I plan to go to graduate school to continue studying biochemistry, and hope to one day become a college professor.

Alumni

Julie Lee, B.S. Biology 2023

Julie graduate magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biology in the spring of 2023. She is currently at Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, in the lab of Dr. Joseph M. Ziegelbauer.

Amy Argabright, B.S. Biochemistry 2023

Amy graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the spring of 2023. She is currently a Professional Research Assistant in the Metabolomics Core at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Liheng Zhou, B.S. Chemistry 2022 | Biology 2022

Liheng graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Biology in the spring of 2022. She is currently a Professional Research Assistant in Dr. Sean Colgen’s lab in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Zach Zimmerman, B.S. ACS Chemistry 2022

Zach graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry (ACS) in the spring of 2022. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University, in Dr. Megan R. Hill’s lab.

John Manalastas, B.S. Biochemistry 2022 | Health, Leisure & Exercise Science 2014

John graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the spring of 2022. He is currently a Professional Research Assistant in the Department of Immunology at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Nathan Nowling, B.S. Biology 2021 | Biochemistry 2018

Nate graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the spring of 2018 and returned to complete his degree in biology in the fall of 2021. He is currently a first year Ph.D. student in the Molecular Biology Program at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.

Jami Parker, B.S. Biochemistry 2021

Jami graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the spring of 2021. She has accepted a position as the Director of Product Development and R&D at UMBO, a Denver-based functional mushroom start-up company.

Elizabeth Spear, B.S. Biochemistry 2019

Elizabeth graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the fall of 2019. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, jointly in the labs of Dr. Jeffrey S. Kieft (NYSBC) and Dr. Linda van Dyk.

Scott-Wesley Bean, B.S. Biochemistry 2018

Scott-Wesley graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biochemistry in the fall of 2018, and earned top honors in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. He is currently a Research Associate II at Vitalant Research Institute.

Jorge Chalit, B.S. Biochemistry, B.A. Psychology 2018

Jorge graduated with dual B.S. in Psychology and Biochemistry in the spring 2018. He is in his second year of medical school at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

Laura Baquero Galvis, B.S. Biology 2017

Laura graduated with a B.S. in Biology in the fall of 2017. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at the University of Washington, in the lab of Dr. Sergei Doulatov .

Isaiah Jackson, B.S. Biochemistry 2017

Isaiah earned his B.S. in Biochemistry in 2017. He is currently a first-year medical student at Howard University.

Dr. Liz Shields, B.S. Business Administration 2010 | Biology 2016 | Pharm.D. 2020

Graduating Cum Laude from Metro in the spring of 2016, Liz earned her second Bachelor’s degree, in Biology. She completed her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy in 2020. Liz is a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist in the Investigational Drug Pharmacy at The Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Evan Morrison, B.S. Chemistry & Philosophy 2016

Evan earned a double-major in Chemistry and Philosophy in spring 2016. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular Biology Program at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, in the lab of Dr. Olivia Rissland.

Cesar Garcia, B.S. Chemistry 2016

Cesar graduated in the fall of 2016 with a B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Criminalistics. He currently a Lab Technologist II in Research & Development at ADA Carbon Solutions, now Advanced Emissions Solutions (ADAES). He plans to continue working at ADAES with the goal of becoming a lab manager.