Alyssa Rodriguez examines the molecular mechanisms underlying human disease including chemotherapy resistance. She studies proteins involved with DNA repair and genome stability.
Her research team utilizes molecular biology techniques, biochemical assays, and computational modeling to understand protein-DNA interactions at the amino acid and nucleotide level. Rodriguez has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and structural biology from Vanderbilt University and received her B.A. in biochemistry from the University of San Diego. She comes to Â鶹ÊÓƵfrom UC San Diego, where she was a National Institutes of Health-Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
What attracted you to Occidental?
I was attracted to Occidental for its holistic, student-centered approach to education and commitment to teaching and research at the undergraduate level. Some of my most memorable years were during my first research experience at the University of San Diego as an undergraduate student. I met outstanding mentors who I am still in contact with to this day and I look forward to being a similar mentor to my students, teaching them foundational knowledge, guiding them to reach their career goals, and inviting them to international conferences to experience the scientific community at a larger scale.
How did you take an interest in biology, and in your specialty in particular?
Biology and more particularly the study of DNA became a factor of interest for me after I did a strawberry DNA extraction experiment in middle school. I was in awe of the DNA dripping from the end of a toothpick at the end of the experiment, knowing I was holding the molecular code to all life. I have come full circle now, as we perform this same experiment in the Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology class where I teach the basics of DNA structure and function.
Can you talk about a favorite class you have taught (or are currently teaching) and what students can expect to take away from it?
My favorite class to teach so far is the upper-division Principles of Biochemistry course. It offers an in-depth look at a variety of biochemical concepts including 3D protein structure, enzyme kinetics, and metabolic processes in humans. We also link many of the biochemical mechanisms to disease outcomes. Additionally, the laboratory component to this class includes two module experiments that last over a month each and it is wonderful to see students grasp concepts week-to-week, keep a detailed lab notebook, and write a formal lab report at the end of each module.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing in Los Angeles?
I am a very active person and enjoy spending time outdoors exploring the city with the local running clubs and playing pickleball on campus. L.A. has an incredible food scene as well and every new restaurant find has been a success.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am enjoying my time at Â鶹ÊÓƵand love the community the most. My colleagues are friendly, my research laboratory is beyond expectations, and the students are very engaged and curious. Interacting with students in class and within my research program have been major highlights. I can’t wait to see where my students journey to next as leaders, scientists, and healthcare professionals. They will impact society in great ways and I am grateful to be part of their higher education experience.