Tamara Hendrickson

Tamara Hendrickson is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on indirect tRNA aminoacylation pathways in pathogenic bacteria, utilizing techniques from biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, and molecular microbiology.

Her primary research interests include indirect tRNA aminoacylation, accuracy mechanisms in protein biosynthesis, membrane proteins, protein-protein interactions, enzyme kinetics, and promoting diversity in STEM fields. Dr. Hendrickson leads a research group that investigates the indirect biosynthesis of Gln-tRNAGln and Asn-tRNAAsn in pathogenic bacteria including H. pylori and S. aureus, with particular interest in evolutionary aspects and accuracy mechanisms in protein synthesis.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding tRNA aminoacylation mechanisms, protein complex structures, and translational fidelity. Recent work spans structural biology, computational modeling of protein complexes, bacterial metabolism, and cancer biology applications. Her research has significant implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential therapeutic targets.

• Drexel ELATE Fellow (2018-2019)
• WSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2015-2016)
• Chair and Host, 2011 International Conference on Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases (2011)
• WSU Career Development Chair Award (2009-2010)
• American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award (2007)
• Research Corporation Innovation Award (2000)

Dr. Hendrickson teaches multiple advanced chemistry courses including Survey of Biochemistry, Structure and Function of Biomolecules, Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry and Drug Design, and Metabolism: Pathways and Regulation. Her educational background includes a B.A. from Wellesley College (1990), Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology (1996), and NIH Postdoctoral Fellowships at MIT and The Scripps Research Institute.