Dylan Weaver

Background

About Dylan Weaver

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Physics at the University of Missouri. My doctoral research is in Single Molecule Biophysics, and I am currently supervised by Dr. Gavin King. The King Lab employs Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to study the mechanics/dynamics of membrane proteins in physiologically relevant conditions. Currently, I am applying Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy to probe protein-lipid interactions, extracting rupture forces and free energy profiles for various molecules in membrane. We can accomplish this by functionalizing AFM tips with certain oligopeptides. These single-molecule results are coupled with coarse-grain MD simulations in order to extract salient energetic information about forced peptide detachment. I am always searching for unique ways to use the power of AFM Imaging and Spectroscopy in various biological/biophysical contexts. In addition to research, I have gained valuable Physics teaching experience. I have been a lab/discussion teaching assistant for Algebra/Calculus-based Physics, as well as the instructor of record for "How Ordinary Things Work"(A conceptual Physics course for non-majors). I strive to help my students learn how to think like a scientist, and remove the implicit barriers that students tend to build up when they hear about studying Physics.