Hannah Zurier

Applications-driven scientist with 10+ years of research experience spanning in vitro (protein biochemistry and engineering) and in vivo (metabolic engineering of model and non-domesticated microbes) biochemistry and synthetic biology. Skilled in molecular biology, protein purification, microbiology, and characterization techniques. Strong background in experimental design, scientific communication, and technical writing. Demonstrated history of formulating and pursuing novel research questions.

Postdoc at Columbia ChemE since 2022. Focusing on development of molecular tools (extremophilic bacteria, secreted chelating molecules, previously uncharacterized proteins) for mobilization, purification, and recovery of rare earth metals. Grad student at Cornell 2017-2022. Focused on protein engineering (noncanonical amino acids, semi-rational design, directed immobilization) for water safety applications.

PhD at Cornell in Food Science. Committee: Dr. Julie M. Goddard (P.I.), Dr. Sam R. Nugen, Dr. Matthew P. Delisa.Graduate fields: food chemistry, synthetic biology, biochemistry Wrote original research proposal on engineering PETase for in situ biodegradation of microplastics in municipal wastewater systems. Built semi-rational combinatorial library of PETase mutants using web-based tools and structural modeling, screened with novel high-throughput methodology to identify variants that perform in extreme conditions. Engineered cellulose-binding genetic fusion of PETase and immobilized protein to cellulose nanoparticles. Developed ultra-sensitive bacteriophage-based biosensor for E. coli in water using bioconjugation techniques, engineered proteins with noncanonical amino acids, CRISPR-modified phages.