Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her research focuses on understanding the biosynthesis of natural products, particularly enzymes that form complex chemical structures in bacteria, fungi, and plants.

• University of British Columbia, Department of Chemistry

Education:

• B.S. (Honors) in Biological Chemistry, University of Chicago
• Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry and Macromolecular Structure, MIT (with Catherine Drennan)
• Postdoctoral Fellow at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (with Bradley Moore)

Research Interests:
Katherine’s work explores how enzymes synthesize natural products with therapeutic potential, such as antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs. Her team employs structural biology, protein engineering, and genomic analysis to study catalytic mechanisms and engineer derivatives of natural compounds.

Recent Publications:
Her recent studies highlight discoveries in nitrogen-nitrogen bond formation (2025), PLP-dependent reactions (2024), and piperazate-guided isolation of nonribosomal peptides (2024). These articles reflect her focus on enzymatic pathways and chemical innovation.

Scientific Awards:

• Merck-sponsored LSRF Fellow
• HHMI Predoctoral Fellowship

Lab & Collaborations:
The Biosynthetic Enzymes Laboratory at UBC integrates chemistry and biology to solve structural and mechanistic problems. The lab, centrally located on UBC’s campus, collaborates with marine biologists, microbiologists, and synthetic chemists globally.