Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2022

Biophysicist in Profile

Elizabeth A. Yates Area of Research Amyloid aggregation and surface interactions associated with neurodegenerative disease and biomaterials

Institution United States Naval Academy

At-a-Glance

Elizabeth A. Yates was interested in science from an early age, always experimenting, asking questions, and helping her father fix things around the house. Starting her undergraduate studies, she planned to become a neonatologist but quickly found herself drawn to research, especially in neurodegenerative diseases. Now, her lab investigates the nanomechanical properties of amyloid aggregation and those aggregates responsible for phenomena such as neurodegenerative diseases and in developing underwater adhesives.

Elizabeth A. Yates

Elizabeth A. Yates , Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the United States Naval Academy (USNA), grew up in Manassas, Virginia. Her father worked as a commercial pilot and her mother in the records department of the local police department. Yates was fascinated by science as a child. “I was constantly seeking ways to be involved with science by experimenting with things I found outside or around the house, asking a lot of questions about literally everything, and always working through things methodically and hands-on. As my dad was constantly fixing things or doing side projects around the house, I was always there to learn,” she shares. “I entered a local science fair in middle school with a meteorolo gy project on cloud formations. I won my division, which then allowed me to go to a regional science fair in my area. I was hooked! It was very exciting to be around others who enjoyed science as much as I did. My parents suggested I continue my STEM path by attending a specialty science program offered through my high school.” Following high school, she attended Virginia Tech as an undergraduate. She had long held an interest in becoming a neonatologist, so her intention was to pursue a pre-med course of studies, but she changed course to chemistry during her freshman year. She conducted undergraduate research with Harry Gibson , synthesizing and purifying phenanthroline intermediates. “I realized early that being a pre-med major was not for me and I chose to shift my focus to chemistry. In my studies, I was intrigued by all things chemistry and it was important to me to find a research path where I could connect my love of both chemistry and medicine. I became increasing ly interested in studying the properties of neurodegeneration after my maternal great grandparents were both diagnosed with dementia. This led me to finding my home in impactful biophysics research throughout my doctoral work in Justin Legleiter ’s lab at West Virginia University (WVU).” At WVU, Yates studied protein misfolding and aggregation related to neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on investigat ing how surfaces modulate beta-amyloid peptide aggregation associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to research, Yates also gained experience in the classroom as a graduate student. “Throughout my time at West Virginia University, I developed a passion for teaching and received the Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in Chemistry in 2011. My goal as an educator was always to share my love of the sciences with those around me and spark scientific interest in young minds,” she declares. Directly after completing her PhD, Yates obtained a ten ure-track position at the USNA in 2013. As stated on the USNA website, “As the undergraduate college of our coun try’s naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Naval Academy graduates serve at least five years in the Navy or Marine Corps.” The current focus of her research is to investigate the nanomechanical properties of amyloid aggregation and those aggregates responsible for phenomena such as neurodegen erative diseases and for developing underwater adhesives. “In studying the fundamentals of amyloid formation utilizing biophysical techniques such as atomic force micros copy, biomimetic vesicle-binding assays, surface chemistry of biological interfaces, and adhesive properties, my research will contribute to enhancing the current understanding of protein-surface interactions and biomaterials,” she explains. “Having mentored eight midshipmen researchers who have gone on to serve in the fleet, I am excited to welcome four new midshipmen into the lab this upcoming year. The mid shipmen are an integral part of my research program and their high-caliber work and year-long dedication drive our lab’s success.”

September 2022

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