Shivani Ahuja

Shivani Ahuja is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Reed College, affiliated with the Chemistry Department and the Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Her research focuses on bacterial metal ion homeostasis, particularly manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) transport mechanisms in Bacillus subtilis. Using cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and functional assays, her lab investigates proteins like MntR (a transcription regulator), MneP/S (metal exporters), and ZnuABC (importers). She collaborates with computational biologists to identify protein networks linking Mn homeostasis with other metal systems. Previously, she earned a PhD in Physics from Stony Brook University (2009), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan, Oregon Health & Science University, Genentech, and Oregon Health & Science University. At Reed, she teaches Chem102 (General Chemistry), Chem391 (Structural Biochemistry), and Chem315 (Physical Chemistry Laboratory). Her research aims to develop antibiotic alternatives by targeting bacterial metal transport pathways.

Education: PhD in Physics (Stony Brook University, 2009); Postdoctoral training at University of Michigan (Biophysics), Oregon Health & Science University (Membrane Proteins), and Genentech (Drug Development).

Research Interests: Bacterial metal homeostasis, membrane transporters, cryo-EM/X-ray crystallography, protein structure-function relationships, antibiotic development.

Labs/Teams: Ahuja Lab at Reed College, collaborating with Dr. Kelly N. Chacón (TerC protein studies) and Dr. Anna Ritz (computational protein networks).