William Hancock

William Hancock is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering (courtesy appointment) and Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on molecular motors, microtubule dynamics, and enzymatic mechanisms for bioenergy production. He leads the Hancock Lab, which combines biophysics, biochemistry, and engineering to study motor proteins like kinesin and dynein, with applications to neurodegenerative diseases and biofuel development.

Education:

• BS in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University (1988)
• PhD in Bioengineering, University of Washington (1994)

Research Interests:

• Mechanochemical cycles of motor proteins
• Microtubule polymerization and transport
• Cellulase-driven biofuel production
• Single-molecule microscopy techniques

Recent Articles: Focus on motor protein kinetics, microtubule dynamics, and cellulose degradation. Key themes include superprocessive motility of KIF1A, lignin inhibition of cellulases, and advanced imaging modalities like SCATTIRSTORM microscopy.

Awards:

• Dean's Fellow, College of Engineering (2017)

Advising & Lab: Mentors PhD, MS, and undergraduate students. Lab members have presented at BPS conferences and contributed to high-impact publications. The lab develops cutting-edge microscopes and collaborates on projects like enzyme optimization and motor protein simulations.