Ye Lab@
Department of Molecular Biosciences
Conformation, Dynamics, and Signal Transduction of GPCR
I am Chao Xu, a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Ye’s lab. I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where my research focused on biofilm-based gas-phase biocatalysis and bioprocessing. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing Tech University in protein engineering.. Under the guidance of Dr. Ye, my current research focuses on GPCR proteins and lanmodulin-based strategies for rare earth element (REE) capture.
Chao Xu, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Xudong Wang
I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Ye's lab with a passion for the structural biology of GPCRs. My research project focuses on advancing macromolecular 19F NMR to better understand protein conformation and dynamics and their applications for better drug development. I hold a Master's degree in Biological Engineering/ Chemical Engineering from the Beijing Institute of Technology, China, and a Bachelor's degree in Biopharmaceuticals/Biological Engineering from the South China University of Technology. In my spare time, I enjoy playing PC games and exploring the latest developments in PC hardware.
Ph.D. candidate (2022)
I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Ye’s lab. With five years of experience in working on metabolic pathway analysis of medicinal plants, I studied the catalytic activity of enzymes. While I keep searching for research topics of interest, I have been fascinated by the role of transmembrane proteins in physiological activities. Dr. Ye’s research projects on GPCR attract me the most, and I plan to study the structure and function of GPCRs for my Ph.D. In my free time, I like to play badminton with my friends.
Wenkai Sun
Ph.D. student (2023)
Nathaniel Hays
PhD student (2024)
I was born in Jamaica and currently work as a graduate researcher in the Ye Lab. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of the West Indies, Mona, in 2025. My research interests include signal transduction pathways, genomics, structural biology, and medicinal chemistry. In my previous research project, I focused on identifying inhibitors for the biosynthetic enzymes of Psilocybin in Psilocybe cubensis using molecular docking simulations. I also have experience synthesizing organic compounds, having worked on a project to generate indole-derived thioamides. In August 2025, I joined the Ye Lab to focus on research in targeted protein degradation. Throughout my PhD journey, I aim to acquire skills that will help me develop innovative cell-based therapeutics and make significant contributions to drug development. Besides my love for research, I enjoy listening to music with rock & roll being my favorite genre. I also love going to the movie theater and take the opportunity to go whenever I can.
Ph.D. student (2025)
Kurt McBayne
Having earned my BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of South Florida in 2024, I am continuing the third year of my Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. My research in Dr. Ye's Lab focuses on the characterization of GPCR kinase-mediated intracellular signaling cascades using fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance (19F-NMR) techniques, alongside molecular biology and biochemical approaches. My long-term research interests lie in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease, as well as the development of novel therapies for medical applications. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with family, cooking, working out at the gym, and practicing Jiu-Jitsu.
HI! My name is Seth, and I am a first year PhD student in Dr. Ye’s lab. I completed both my B.S. and M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology here at the University of South Florida. I love all things science and am a very research driven individual. My current work focuses on the intersection between bioluminescence and toxin production in marine dinoflagellates through the lens of GPCRs! My goal is to graduate and find a fellowship with NASA performing astrobiology research, studying the origins of life on earth and the potential life on other celestial bodies.
Seth Brady Johnson
Upcoming Postdoc
Trang Ma
I am a senior majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. My research interests focus on drug discovery and development. Recently, I have become particularly fascinated by GPCRs. In Dr. Ye’s lab, I am eager to sharpen my lab skills and deepen my knowledge of GPCR mechanisms and the conformational transitions and dynamics of their components in drug development. In the future, I want to pursue a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and aim to contribute to understanding and the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer and infectious diseases.
Undergraduate student
I am an undergraduate student at USF. My current research involves developing a drug screening system using yeast surface display and studying the GPCR Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptor in Dr. Ye's lab. I am passionate about integrating my biomedical studies with hands-on research to drive advancements in drug discovery and therapeutic interventions.
Yunlong Cao
Undergraduate student
I am an undergraduate student double majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida. My research interests lie in GPCR signaling cascades. I aspire to explore how distinct GPCR conformational states influence downstream signaling and disease mechanisms. I hope to contribute to the development of better therapeutic strategies for GPCR-related diseases.
Cyndia Hao
Undergraduate student
I'm Simon Neil Gomes. I am deeply interested in protein physics, particularly the development of nanobody and peptide-based conformation-specific GPCR targeted degradation. My goal is to pursue this passion in graduate school. When I'm not thinking about proteins, you can usually find me experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Simon Neil Gomes
Undergraduate student
Undergraduate student
Ph.D. student (2025)
I received my B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Business from the University of Dallas, where I gained research experience in materials chemistry and inorganic synthesis. I am especially interested in how biochemical structure drives molecular function, which led me to pursue GPCR biology for my doctoral research. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball and reading.
Andrea Zavaleta-Vega
Undergraduate student
Ph.D. student (2026)
I am a PhD student in Dr. Ye’s lab. I obtained my BS degree in biochemistry from State University of New York at Binghamton. As an undergraduate researcher and McNair Scholar, I studied the interactions among proteins important for brain development. Now I aspire to conduct research on the role of GPCRs in the process of bioluminescence exhibited by dinoflagellates. I dedicate my free time to reading and writing novels, short stories, and poetry. I am a published author of a collection of short stories titled “The Scientist”, and creator of a science education and science fiction podcast called “MicroSpace”.
Samantha Sylvain
Undergraduate student
Ph.D. student (2026)