Amirhossein Taghavi
Postdoctoral Fellow · May 2019–July 2021
After the Yildirim Lab: Disney Lab at UF Scripps
Yildirim Lab · Florida Atlantic University
The Team
Ilyas Yildirim
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science · Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter
Email: iyildirim@fau.edu · Phone: 561-799-8325
Education: Postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge, Northwestern University, and the University of Rochester; Ph.D. and M.A. in Physics, University of Rochester; B.S. in Physics, Koç University.
Dr. Yildirim leads the RNA Dynamics Lab with a focus on molecular simulation, RNA force fields, RNA-targeted molecular design, and structure–dynamics relationships in nucleic acids.
Group Members
Niransha Kumarachchi
Ph.D. Student · Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FAU
Research Focus:
RNA force fields, molecular simulation, enhanced sampling techniques.
Mariam Ibrahim
Ph.D. Student · Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FAU
Research Focus:
RNA 3D structure prediction and computational modeling.
Rafael de la Zerda
Ph.D. Student · Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FAU
Research Focus:
Development of methods and models to optimize lead compounds targeting RNA.
Sayeda Samina Ahmed
Ph.D. Student · Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FAU
Research Focus:
Theoretical and computational studied on Dicer/pre-miRNA complexes.
Chiara Arcuri
Ph.D. Student · Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FAU
Research Focus:
Theoretical and computational studies on Ribozymes with a highlight in Astrochemistry.
Adam Burjan
M.A. Student · Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science · FAU
Research Focus:
Development of methods and models to optimize lead compounds targeting RNA.
Mariana Mateus Cardenas (Co-advised with Dr. Cudic)
Undergraduate Student · Department of Biomedical Engineering, FAU
Research Focus:
Computational studies on KOR receptors.
Brian Li
High School Student · Palm Beach Central High School
Research Focus:
Algorithm development for TAPERSS-MoCa.
Zifa Shaykhutdinov
High School Student · FAU High School (Jupiter Campus)
Research Focus:
Computational studies on MBNL1/RNA CUG interactions.
Former Members
Former Yildirim Lab researchers and trainees who have continued into graduate study, medicine, research, and industry.
Former Postdoctoral Fellows
Kye Won Wang
Postdoctoral Fellow · May 2019–December 2020
After the Yildirim Lab: Im Lab at Lehigh University
Former Undergraduate Researchers
Nicholas Ndreca
FAU Chemistry · Spring 2024–Summer 2026
After the Yildirim Lab: MS student in Chemistry and Biochemistry at FAU
Benjamin Carver
FAU Computer Science · Spring 2024–Fall 2025
Daniel Mondragon
FAU Computer Science · Spring 2025–Summer 2025
Ivan Riveros
Honors & PREPChem · Fall 2018–Summer 2023
After graduation: Ph.D. student in Chemistry at MIT
Geoffray Moody
PREPChem · Spring 2022–Summer 2023
After graduation: M.D. student at Nova Southeastern University
Maureen Tanner
Wilkes Honors College · Spring 2021–Spring 2023
After graduation: M.S. in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Florida, and then MD student at Saint George’s University.
Michael Cevallos
FAU Undergraduate · Spring 2022–Spring 2023
After graduation: Master’s student in AI at FAU
Jaelyn Hayes
FAU Undergraduate · Spring 2023–Summer 2023
John Walsh
Wilkes Honors College · Spring 2021–Fall 2021
Marina Nad
FAU Undergraduate · Spring 2018–Spring 2019
After graduation: Research Associate at Moderna
Christy LaFlamme
Wilkes Honors College · Spring 2018
After graduation: Ph.D. student at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Former High School Researchers
Nakul Balaji
FAU High School (Jupiter Campus) · January 2025–May 2026
After graduation: Undergraduate student at Columbia University
Sydney Kessler
FAU High School · April 2025–May 2026
After graduation: Undergraduate student at Northeastern University
Can Matalon
Suncoast High School · Summers 2023/2024
After graduation: Undergraduate student at University of Central Florida
Tan Matalon
Suncoast High School · Summers 2023/2024
After graduation: Undergraduate student at Northeastern University
Julianna Lian
FAU High School · Spring 2020–Summer 2022
After graduation: Undergraduate studies at MIT; followed by a Ph.D. program in Chemistry at Princeton University
Arjun Nair
FAU High School · Spring 2021–Fall 2022
After graduation: Undergraduate student at Stony Brook University
Ritvik Kesharaju
FAU High School · Spring 2021
Riccardo D’Ambrosio
Cardinal Gibbons High School · Spring 2020–Summer 2022
After graduation: Undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of South Florida (USF)
James DeLoye
Atlantic Community High School · Summer 2019
After graduation: Undergraduate student at UC Berkeley
Research Opportunities
For students and researchers who want to work at the intersection of computation, chemistry, and RNA biology.
Graduate Students
Prospective M.S. and Ph.D. students with interests in theoretical and computational chemistry, biophysics, RNA structure and dynamics, molecular modeling, or scientific programming are encouraged to learn about the lab and submit an inquiry.
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
RNA
Undergraduate Researchers
Undergraduates interested in research can inquire about mentored projects involving computational modeling, RNA structure, data analysis, and method development. Curiosity, reliability, and willingness to learn are especially important.
Research Training
Programming
Molecular Modeling
Postdoctoral Researchers
Researchers with relevant computational, chemical, biophysical, or molecular-science backgrounds are welcome to contact the lab about research fit, collaboration, and potential fellowship or funding pathways.
Advanced Research
Method Development
Collaboration
Start with AYLA
Learn about the lab before you apply.
AYLA can answer questions about research areas, computational expectations, publications, and the inquiry process. When ready, submit your background and CV for initial review.
Direct contact: iyildirim@fau.edu
