(4dx) Engineering Unconventional Bacteria for Multidisciplinary Translational Technologies

Emergence of advanced tools in multi-omics has provided deeper understanding of unconventional biological systems, organisms, and communities. Therefore, the engineering approaches for these unconventional systems have also taken a great leap and enable various biotechnological applications. My PhD training at the University of Washington focuses on enabling and optimizing the CRISPR gene regulatory tools in unconventional microbes so that we can program their behaviors using dynamically responsive systems composed of Cas proteins and CRISPR guide RNAs. My postdoctoral training will be focusing on advancing the genetic tools and circuitry further for construction of novel bacterial living therapeutics based on unconventional microbes so that we expand the repertoire of programmable living therapeutics for different target systems (gut, lung, skin, etc.) and host ranges (human, livestock, etc.).

For my independent research career, I am envisioning a project that requires expertise across multiple disciplines, from Chemistry, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, Systems Metabolic Engineering, and close collaboration with Translational Technologists to develop novel tools based on living biological systems — smart programmable microbes, engineered living materials, and engineered microbial communities. The power of living biological systems rooted from their ease of mass production which can be multiplied for large-scale implementation beyond laboratory scale studies. My research group will focus on constructing these living biological systems and transforming them to deployable tools through partnership with experts of various fields — environmental scientists, public health specialists, and biochemicals producers. Three key objectives of my group are 1) making accessible technologies (living therapeutics) that can be deployed anywhere, 2) engineering existing biological systems (microbial communities) to alter environmental impacts, and 3) constructing novel chemicals and materials using engineered biological systems (programmable microbes).

Since unconventional microbes provide unexplored potentials beyond model organisms like E. coli or S. cerevisiae, I am highly confident that their unique capabilities will enable translational technologies which can further transform the biotechnology industry and later global economy as a whole.

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests focus on multidisciplinary teachings and student-oriented curriculum development. Having completed my undergraduate and master’s studies outside of the US, I realized big differences in student’s background and learning styles despite having the same major/discipline. With my ongoing services in developing the curriculum for underrepresented scientists through SynBio4ALL Africa community and participation in the global online coursework “How to Grow (Almost) Anything” — HTGAA — provided by the team at MIT Media lab and volunteer teaching assistants across the globes, I understand further that multidisciplinary teaching should be provided with strong focus on students' background and readiness.

Together with volunteers back in my home country, Thailand, I am developing a curriculum for Engineering Biology with support from national and international organizations to provide teaching curriculum best suited for students with a particular background. For instance, we are preparing an ongoing mini lecture series called “Synthetic Biology for Synthetic Chemists” where we narrate the Synthetic Biology in the perspectives of Synthetic Chemistry aimed to prioritize students with background in Chemistry. With accumulated experience in working with students in Thailand and Africa, I believe that I will be equipped with skills and understandings to students from diverse backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented in the scientific community. My teaching will be geared towards the small body of students who are usually forgotten in the leaky pipeline of academic excellence.

Personal Website: https://theicechol.github.io/