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Richard J. Kuhn Lab

Lab member: Conrrad Nicholls

Conrrad Nicholls' CV (PDF)

Education

Formal Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy - Virology
Purdue University (2016-Present)

Master of Public Health - Environmental Health
Purdue University (2017-Present)

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Men's Football
Indiana State University | Student athlete (2011-2016)

Specialization Certificates

Genomic Data Science
Johns Hopkins University | Coursera (2019)

Research experience

Graduate: June 2016 - Present

Identification of Flavivirus Nucleocapsid Core-Envelope Glycoprotein Interactions
Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University
Conrrad Nicholls, Dr. Richard J. Kuhn

Previous structural data has displayed possible interactions between the nucleocapsid core and envelope glycoproteins of Zika virus (ZIKV). These yet untested interactions have the potential to be exploited as novel drug targets that could inhibit the proliferation of ZIKV and reveal new insights into flavivirus assembly and maturation. To this end, we are investigating the observed nucleocapsid core-envelope glycoprotein interactions via several methods, including protein mutagenesis, pull-down assays, nanodisc reconstitution, and electron microscopy. In sum, due to the high similarity of ZIKV to other flaviviruses (such as the dengue, West Nile, and yellow fever viruses) the techniques, results and mechanisms identified in this study have the potential to be applied to other flaviviral infections.

Undergraduate: May 2015 - May 2016

Effects of Prophages on Capsule Regulation in Streptococcus pyogenes
Department of Biology, Indiana State University
Conrrad Nicholls1, Andrew Kump1, Rusty Gonser2, Kyu Hong Cho2

Using an invasive clinical strain from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (S. pyogenes 2009209436), spontaneous mutation was encouraged by passaging. Capsule-overproducing mutants were identified by phenotype after being grown on THY agar plates and were isolated into pure cultures. The bacterial genome of the mutants and their respective controls were extracted and purified, leading to the sequencing and annotation of the bacterial genomes for comparison and prophage identification.

 

Publications

Graduate

Structure Guided Paradigm Shifts in Flavivirus Assembly and Maturation Mechanisms
Conrrad Nichollsa, Madhumati Sevvanaa, Richard J. Kuhna,b
aDepartment of Biological Sciences, Purdue University
bPurdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University

Undergraduate

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes Strain M3KCL
Conrrad Nicholls, Andrew Kump, Sarah Ford, Rusty Gonser, Kyu Hong Cho
Department of Biology, Indiana State University

 

Presentations

Identification of Flavivirus Nucleocapsid Core-Envelope Glycoprotein Interactions
Conrrad Nicholls, Dr. Richard J. Kuhn
Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University

Oral Presentation given at:

  • American Society for Virology – Virtual Symposium – July 19-23rd, 2021
  • World Society for Virology – Virtual Symposium – June 16-18th, 2021

Poster Presentation given at:

  • Purdue Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Spring Reception – May 3-7th, 2021
  • American Society for Virology – University of Minnesota – July 20-24th, 2019
  • Purdue Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Spring Reception – May 1st, 2019

 

Teaching Experience (Graduate Teaching Assistant)

Biology 328 Lab – Principles of Physiology: January – May, 2019, 2020, 2021
Provided students with an introduction to physiology with an emphasis on the cellular mechanisms that underlie anatomical and physiological adaptations used by animals to survive in various ecosystems. Such understanding was produced through classroom experimentation.

Biology 442 – Animal Physiology: August – October, 2018, 2019, 2020
Demonstrated surgical techniques on live (sedated) rodents to facilitate student’s understanding of living physiological processes, anatomical structures, and chemical sedation/response within a mammalian system.

 

Campus involvement

Graduate

  • Co-Chair: TA Professional Development Workshop Series
  • Planning Committee Member: Purdue HGBG Symposium
  • Science Day Co-Chair: PULSe Science in Schools
  • President: Polynesian Cultural Club of Purdue
  • Member: Native American Educational and Cultural Center
  • SROP Coordinator/AGEP Bridge Student

Undergraduate

  • Defensive Captain of the ISU Football team
  • Member of the ISU Football Leadership Committee
  • Member of the 2015 SURE program

 

Honors and awards

  • Recipient of an NIH NRSA F31 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship – Fall 2020
  • Recipient of an NIH NRSA T32 Training Grant – Summer 2020
  • Recipient of the Purdue Interdisciplinary Graduate Travel Grant – Fall 2019
  • Recipient of the American Society for Virology Student Travel Award – Spring 2019
  • Recipient of the Purdue Doctoral Fellowship – Fall 2016
  • Recipient of the Purdue Lynn Fellowship – Summer 2016
  • Recipient of Indiana State Football’s Team Leadership Award – Spring 2016
  • Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Academic Honor Roll from 2012 - 2016
  • Recipient of the Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award – Fall 2013
  • Named ISU Football Defensive Captain as a Sophomore – Fall 2012
  • Recipient of a Full-Ride Scholarship – Indiana State University Football – Spring 2011

 

Community service

Boy Scouts of America (2012-2016)

  • Obtained rank of Eagle Scout (2007) and offer personal experience for the benefit of younger scouts
  • Volunteer as a scout leader for local troop in Terre Haute, IN

Special Olympics

  • Organized participants for the Terre Haute area under the direction of Happiness Bag Inc. (2013-2014)
  • Volunteered at the Indiana Special Olympics as a weightlifting coach and judge (2013-2014)

Boys and Girls Club (2012-2016)

  • Helped take care of the Boys and Girls Club facility and grounds with attention to detail
  • Coached children 3 days a week in specific sports and emphasized the importance of fitness

 

Related coursework

Graduate

  • Macromolecules
  • Statistical Methods for Biology
  • Membrane Protein Structural Biology
  • Immunology
  • Scientific Communications
  • Grant Writing
  • Emergency Management for Agriculture Operations
  • Biochemical Toxicology
  • Fundamentals of Epidemiology
  • Advanced Topics in Exposure Assessment
  • Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
  • Public Health Administration

References

  1. Richard J. Kuhn, Ph.D
    Trent and Judith Anderson Distinguished Professor in Science
    Director, Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease
    Purdue University
    Email: kuhnr@purdue.edu

  2. Douglas J. LaCount, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
    Purdue University
    Email: dlacount@purdue.edu

  3. Robert Stahelin, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
    Purdue University
    Email: rstaheli@purdue.edu