Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology

Taras Pogorelov

Research Assistant Professor

Application and development of computational and theoretical methods to study biological macromolecules using frameworks of molecular dynamics, quantum chemistry, and molecular evolution. Current emphasis is on cell signaling, membrane-associated phenomena, membrane-protein interactions, and protein folding.

Research Interests

Research Description

We are engaged in studies of a diverse range of complex biological systems which necessitate application and development of the state-of-the art computational and theoretical methods. The common goal is to reveal mechanistic details of how the cellular environment, including cellular membranes, influence fundamental processes of signal initiation and transduction, protein folding and assembly. In a majority of themes we closely collaborate with experimental colleagues, who employ a diverse range of cutting edge methodologies.

Education

Diploma, 1995, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russia (Biomedical Electrical Engineering)
M.S., 1996, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Mathematics)
Ph.D., 2006, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Chemical Physics)
Postdoc, 2009, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Quantum Chemistry)
Postdoc, 2012, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Biophysics)

Awards

RSOCR Award, Office of Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Illinois, 2016-2017
Faculty Fellow, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, 2014-2015
Illinois Research Board Award, University of Illinois, 2012-2013
Richard I. Gumport Travel Award in Biochemistry, University of Illinois, 2011
NIH Travel Award to attend the NIGMS Workshop for Postdocs Transitioning to Independent Positions, Bethesda, MD, 2010
List of Teachers Ranked Excellent by Students (Chemistry), University of Illinois, 2004
Commencement Speaker, Upward Bound Academy, US Dept. Ed. TRIO, Office of Minority Student Affairs, University of Illinois, 2002