Melinda Diver

Melinda M. Diver, PhD is an Assistant Member at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), affiliated with the Structural Biology Program and Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia (2007), a PhD in Biochemistry and Structural Biology from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (2015), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (2021).

Her research focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms of understudied membrane proteins, particularly ion channels and transporters involved in pain sensation and cancer. Combining structural biology (X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy), biophysical, and pharmacological approaches, her lab aims to reveal therapeutic targets for chronic pain and cancer. Key projects include studying the XPR1 phosphate exporter and TRP channels.

Notable achievements include the Josie Robertson Investigator award (2021–2026) and NCCIH Pathway to Independence Award (2019–2024). The lab currently includes graduate students (Abbie Collette, Allen Lu, Maddy Yaggi) and postdocs (Qinyu Zhu), with alumni such as Omar Almakki and Kate Enquist. The lab collaborates with programs like the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD and MSK Bridge Scholar initiatives.