Gavin Williams

Gavin received his B.Sc. in Biochemistry (First Class Honors) from the University of Wales and completed his PhD with Dr Alan Berry at the University of Leeds. He then completed a postdoctoral position at UW-Madison with Prof. Jon Thorson, was appointed Assistant Professor at NC State in 2009, promoted to Associate Professor in 2015, and was promoted to Professor in 2020. He received the NSF CAREER Award in 2013, was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2015 and LORD Distinguished Scholar in 2019, and received the Chancellor’s Innovation Award in 2016 and 2020. He was also the Department Head from 2021 to 2025.

Current Group Members

Sarah Altman

• B.S. Chemistry, Appalachian State University
• Email: sraltman@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Chemo-biological synthesis of macrolide aglycones

Cade Brady

• B.S. Chemistry, NC State (expected graduation Spring 2026)
• Email: cmbrady6@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Merging chemical and biosynthetic synthesis of terpenes

Niesha Cantu

• B.S. Chemistry, Southwestern University
• M.S. Materials Science & Engineering, NC State
• Email: scantu@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Biosensor-guided directed evolution of polyketide biosynthesis

Jared Cossin

• B.S. Biochemistry, Florida State University
• Email: jrcossin@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Engineering and diversifying polyketide starter units

Hisham El-Shaffey

• B.S. Chemistry & Biology, Georgia Southern University
• Email: helshaf@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Development of scarless polyketide affinity bio-building blocks

Sashika Fernando

• B.S. Biochemistry, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
• M.S. Biochemistry, University of Maryland
• Email: shfernan@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Directed evolution of terpene tailoring enzymes.

Owen Hughes

• B.S. Chemistry, Appalachian State University
• Email: ochughes@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Alkyl-diversification of natural products

Alissa Meo

• B.S. Chemistry & Biology, Meredith College
• Email: ammeo@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Development of macrolide biosensors

Catherine Odhiambo

• B.S. Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia State University
• M.S. Chemistry, Georgia State University
• Email: codhiam@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Biosensor-guided directed evolution of terpene biosynthesis, including P450s.

Cassidy Oliverio

• B.S. Chemistry, UNC-Charlotte
• B.A. Biology, UNC-Charlotte
• M.S. Biology, UNC-Charlotte
• Email: coliver2@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Development and application of genetically encoded sesquiterpene biosensors.

Victoria Sagne

• B.S. Chemical Engineering (Minor, Biomanufacturing), NC State (expected graduation Spring 2027)
• Email: vmsagne@ncsu.edu
• Focus: Development and application of monoterpene biosensors.