Shasha Feng is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Biochemistry program.

Shasha earned her Bachelor of Science in biology in the Honored Undergraduate Program in Biology (HUPB) at Peking University in Beijing, China. She conducted research on developing a neuron membrane voltage sensor. The molecular engineering and biochemistry characterization during her undergraduate studies revealed the beauty of protein dynamics. To further observe the protein dynamics in atomistic details, Shasha joined the Im Lab as a Ph.D. student in 2018 and shifted her research to utilizing computational tools for understanding biological phenomena related to lipid membranes and membrane proteins. At Lehigh, she has studied archaeal membrane and quinone localization, activation mechanism of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, as well as chemoinformatics applications powered by machine learning techniques.

Her work published in J. Phys. Chem. B utilized molecular dynamics simulation to show that high concentrations of menaquinone in halo-bacteria likely increase osmotic resistance by increasing the membrane bending modulus. The localization of menaquinone in the center of archaeal membrane sheds lights into how the hydrophobicity and polarity can play a role of small molecule partition in the membrane and closely relate to drug partition and efficacy.

Her thesis work on Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, including a collection of TRPV/TRPC/TRPM channels, shows how the lipids and ligands bind in various pockets of the ion channels and modulate conformations, which has profound meaning in ion channel drug discovery (Science 378 (6616), eadd1268; Protein Science 32 (1), e4490). The molecular dynamics simulations provide further information about protein dynamics and gating mechanism in addition to the experimental structures.

Outside research and coursework, Shasha loves to contribute and connect with the community. Her leadership experience as the president of Life Science Industry Association club at Peking University, combining with her passion for outdoor nature, channeled into the Graduate Students Outing Club (GSOC) at Lehigh. As the founder of GSOC, during her tenure as the president, Shasha expanded the club into the biggest and most active graduate student club on campus with ~400 members on the email list. GSOC was awarded Club of Year 2021 by the Grad Student Senate. She continuously nurtures the club development, engages incoming new students, and brings more graduate students into the pristine nature.

During her downtime, she likes visiting museums, lifting, and Zen meditation.

The research in the Im Lab is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.