George Thurston
Professor
George Thurston
Professor
Education
AB, Oberlin College; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bio
My research work is primarily in biological physics. In our lab we conduct experimental and theoretical studies of phase transitions, solution phase properties and critical phenomena in a variety of complex fluids. I am particularly interested in the physical and chemical aspects of protein condensation diseases, including cataract and sickle cell disease.
We employ the techniques of quasielastic and static light scattering, x-ray scattering, neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Monte Carlo simulation to study protein mixtures, intrinsically disordered peptides, micelles, microemulsions, and other biological polymers.
Current experimental projects include studies of solutions of eye lens crystallin proteins and their mixtures, of the biological polymer, hyaluronate, and of mixtures that include the peptide, protamine. Another current project is to develop theory and methods for combining polarized neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance in the same instrument, which has the potential to greatly refine probabilistic structural information about macromolecular liquids. We are also developing models of charge regulation-mediated interactions between proteins, and developing light scattering theory and methods for noninvasive measurement of the Gibbs free energies of mixing of liquid mixtures.
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In the News
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April 15, 2024
Biochemistry student receives Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
RIT third-year biochemistry student Aidan Miller has been awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate research scholarship in the United States, given to students pursuing a career in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. -
August 27, 2018
Inclusive Excellence cultivates diversity
The first Inclusive Excellence research fellowship was held this summer and paired seven undergraduate students in the College of Science with research mentors. The initiative is working to create a deeper understanding of diversity in the College of Science and at RIT.
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October 11, 2021
College of Science team publishes paper comparing COVID testing and wastewater sampling
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September 15, 2021
Team awarded $250,000