Dr. Kalina Hristova

Biography

Kalina Hristova is a professor in the Institute for NanoBioTechnology at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in materials science engineering. Her research focuses on the structure and assembly of biological membranes, examining the thermodynamic and structural principles that underlie membrane protein folding and signal transduction. Hristova primarily concentrates on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which are often dysregulated in cancer. Her work aims to bridge gaps in the fundamental understanding of RTK functions through the development of novel quantitative methodologies. Hristova has contributed significantly to the understanding of the mechanistic action of membrane-active peptides and their applications in drug delivery. Her current research projects investigate ligand functional selectivity in membrane receptors, the role of the membrane protein interactome in regulating biological functions, and the molecular mechanisms behind RTK-associated pathogenesis. Hristova is a member of the Biophysical Society and the American Chemical Society, and she has received several accolades including the Dayhoff Award from the Biophysical Society. With educational qualifications that include a PhD in mechanical engineering from Duke University, she has also held positions as a post-doctoral associate and research scientist at the University of California, Irvine before joining Johns Hopkins in 2001.

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