Rebecca Voorhees

Rebecca Voorhees

Assistant Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Dr. Voorhees is an HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (2023-) and former HMRI Investigator (2017–2023). She holds a B.S. and M.Sc. from Yale University (2007) and a Ph.D. from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (2011). Prior to joining Caltech, she was a Visiting Associate (2016–2017).

Research Focus

Her work centers on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing protein homeostasis, particularly the synthesis, localization, assembly, and quality control of membrane proteins. Key areas include:

• Coupled biogenesis and quality control pathways
• ER membrane protein complex (EMC) function
• Mitochondrial outer membrane protein insertion
• Phase-separated condensates in cellular regulation

Methodologies

Her lab employs integrated approaches combining:

• Functional genomics (CRISPRi screens)
• Cryo-electron microscopy
• Structural biology
• Biochemical reconstitution

Awards & Grants

• HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (2023–)
• NSF CAREER Award (2022)

Labs & Teams

Director of the Voorhees Lab, which focuses on translating molecular insights into strategies for disease intervention.