Lewis

When I think of any living organism, I don’t think of it as a lone entity. Each person, each plant, each animal, and even each cell is intricately connected to each other through molecular interactions. Meanwhile, each cell is also fueled, maintained, and functions because of myriad chemical reactions inside. This complexity of life has always fascinated me. My passion is understanding these complex molecular systems to solve health and environmental problems.

The challenge is the number of systems at play. It’s hard to manage even a few systems in our minds when considering these interactions. So we are developing powerful technologies to measure the various molecules and quantify how they interact.

I’m focused on pushing the boundaries of computational models to improve biomanufacturing, drug development, and biomedical discoveries. My team and I make great efforts to piece together decades of research from other scientists, ultimately building large and complex models. We integrate them into AI and machine learning algorithms to fill the gaps of missing knowledge. This work has helped us and others to engineer better cell factories for diverse medications, identifying new therapeutic targets, and deciphering the complex bases of conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening intestinal condition that affects premature infants.

I joined the University of Georgia in 2024 because it is home to one of the largest concentrations of glycobiologists in the nation—and possibly the world—focused on studying the complex carbohydrates that cover cells. Plus, the university has built excellent facilities for biomanufacturing and developing regenerative medicine. The atmosphere at UGA is strong and supportive. My colleagues and collaborators share a vision to join efforts toward meaningful, impactful research.