Dr. Maria Kurnikova

Biography

Maria Kurnikova is a Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, where she co-directs the Molecular Biophysics & Structural Biology Graduate Program in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on areas such as computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and theoretical biophysics with an aim to understand structure-function relationships in proteins. Kurnikova employs advanced computational methods and high-performance computing resources to study the behavior of biological macromolecules, facilitating predictions about their dynamics and energetic properties. Her recent projects include modeling membrane protein receptors and ion channels, as well as high-throughput approaches for computational drug design, indicating her active involvement in both fundamental and applied aspects of chemical research. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of protein interactions and the development of methodologies that leverage machine learning for optimizing drug molecules.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards