Previous Student, Colorado School of Mines, United States
Dr. E.T. Sabo is a graduate student at Colorado School of Mines, pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Holz. Their research focuses on the sulfur mobilization mechanisms for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus, aiming to uncover critical insights into bacterial biochemistry and potential antibiotic targets. With a solid background in chemical and biochemical techniques, Dr. Sabo has developed expertise in protein purification, enzyme kinetics, crystallography, and computational modeling. Throughout their career, they have mentored undergraduate and high school students, participated in outreach programs, and contributed to community-building efforts within the academic environment. With multiple publications and presentations in leading journals and conferences, Dr. Sabo is recognized for their scientific acumen, leadership, and passion for advancing biochemistry.
Profile
Education
Dr. E.T. Sabo is currently completing a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry at Colorado School of Mines (Aug 2019–Dec 2024), under the supervision of Dr. Richard Holz. Their dissertation explores the sulfur mobilization mechanisms for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus, an area of great interest for antimicrobial research. Prior to their graduate studies, Dr. Sabo earned a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Georgia (Aug 2015–May 2019). This foundational training set the stage for their extensive work in biochemistry and molecular biology, equipping them with a deep understanding of both chemical and biological systems. The combination of rigorous academic training and hands-on research experience allows Dr. Sabo to bridge the gap between theoretical chemistry and practical laboratory applications in their work on sulfur biochemistry and enzyme function.
Experience
Dr. Sabo’s research experience includes a diverse set of skills in applied chemistry and biochemistry. As a Graduate Research Assistant at Colorado School of Mines (2020–2024), Dr. Sabo focused on studying sulfur mobilization in bacterial enzymes, such as cysteine desulfurases. This involved advanced techniques such as protein purification, enzyme kinetics, protein crystallography, and computational docking. Notably, they developed assays for high-throughput screening (HTS) to study enzyme inhibition and optimized crystallography screens for structural analysis. Additionally, Dr. Sabo has significant experience with UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopy and molecular modeling, crucial tools in biochemistry research. Their undergraduate experience at the University of Georgia (2015–2019) also involved working on mass spectrometry-based analyses of glycan metabolites in human kidney cells, further strengthening their broad skillset. Dr. Sabo has consistently demonstrated an ability to mentor and collaborate with students, as well as present complex research findings at conferences.
Awards and Honors
Dr. E.T. Sabo has earned several accolades recognizing their outstanding contributions to research and academics. They received the Mines GRADS Best Oral Talk award in March 2024, securing 2nd place in Biological, Health, and Social Sciences. Their work was recognized for its depth and clarity in communicating complex scientific concepts. Dr. Sabo also received the prestigious ACS travel award in August 2022, facilitating their participation in the American Chemical Society’s Division of Inorganic Chemistry conference. As an undergraduate, Dr. Sabo was awarded the Classic Scholar Award at the University of Georgia, which acknowledged their academic excellence. Their dedication to advancing scientific understanding and contributing to the academic community has been instrumental in the recognition they’ve received. These honors highlight Dr. Sabo’s growing reputation as an emerging leader in the field of applied chemistry and biochemistry, especially in the study of bacterial biochemistry.
Research Focus
Dr. E.T. Sabo’s research is focused on understanding sulfur mobilization mechanisms for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus, a critical process for bacterial survival and virulence. By studying the cysteine desulfurase complex in this pathogenic bacterium, Dr. Sabo aims to uncover potential targets for novel antimicrobial therapies. Their work delves into enzyme kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and the structural characterization of sulfur transfer pathways, with the goal of improving our understanding of microbial biochemistry. The research also extends to the study of small molecule inhibitors and their effect on sulfur metabolism, which could offer insights into the development of new antibiotic strategies. Additionally, Dr. Sabo is exploring computational approaches to model protein-ligand interactions, further enhancing the ability to predict and design compounds that interfere with sulfur cluster biosynthesis. This interdisciplinary approach promises to advance both basic biochemistry and applied pharmaceutical research.
Publications
- Boncella, A. E.; Sabo, E. T.; Santore, R. M.; Carter, J.; Whalen; Hudspeth, J. D.; Morrison, C. N. “The expanding utility of iron-sulfur clusters: Their functional roles in biology, synthetic small molecules, maquettes and artificial proteins, biomimetic materials, and therapeutic strategies.” Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 453, 2022. 🔬⚛️
- Hudspeth, J.D.; Boncella, A. E.; Sabo, E. T.; Andrews, T.; Boyd, J.; Morrison, C.N. “Structural and Biochemical Characterization of the Cysteine Desulfurase Complex SufSU.” ACS Omega, 7(48), 44124-44133, 2022. 🧬🧪
- Sabo, E.T. and Nelson, C.; Stark, V.; Aasman, K.; Boyd, J.; Holz, R. “Practical Spectrophotometric Assay for the Cysteine Desulfurase SufS from Staphylococcus aureus, a Potential Antibiotic Target.” Antibiotics. Accepted. 💊🦠
- Sabo, E.T.; Gerlich, G.; Nelson, C.; Stark, V.; Aasman, K.; Morrison, C.; Boyd, J.; Holz, R. “Kinetic Analysis of Cysteine Desulfurase SaSufS from Staphylococcus aureus.” In preparation. 🧑🔬🔎
- Sabo, E.T., Nelson, C.; Bennet, B.; Holz, R. “Cobalt Substitution of the Zinc-dependent Sulfur Transferase SaSufU from Staphylococcus aureus.” In preparation. ⚙️💡