In December of 2004, Dr. Yi Qin Gao will take up the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow with Professor Karplus at Harvard University.
Dr. Gao received a B.S degree from Sichuan University, China and a M.S degree from the Institute of Chemistry, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research while a student in China was on experimental physical chemistry. In particular, using multiphoton ionization techniques combined with electronic structure calculations, he studied the spectra and structure of various small molecules and their clusters.
Dr. Gao intends to apply his insight and knowledge to studies of the chemical energy usage of other protein motors as well as to the studies of the chemical kinetic networks of biological interest, such as organelles. He will begin by investigating the detailed molecular and mechanical mechanism of muscle myosin II and muscle cells in response to the external load. His research in biophysics and theoretical chemistry fits perfectly with new initiatives in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Gao brings to our faculty a high level of excitement for research and teaching, which we trust will have an impact not only locally, but nationally and internationally. Welcome Dr. Gao!