Nata Dudkina, B.S. Biochemistry, University of Vermont; Ph.D. Chemistry, Yale University

Natavan (Nata) Dudkina was raised in Baku, Azerbaijan. She moved to the US to pursue a B.S. in Biochemistry as well as minor in Mathematics at the University of Vermont (UVM). During her undergraduate studies, Nata joined the lab of Professor Severin T. Schneebeli in the department of Chemistry where she investigated crystal-packing driven by solid-state isomerization of novel syn and anti atropostereoisomers. She also completed an efficient synthesis of water-soluble hydrazone molecular cages by combining dynamic covalent chemistry with hydrogen-bond-directed shape control. Nata’s research in the Crawford lab is focused on discovering novel small molecules important for immunometabolism.