Adam de Graff
PhD student with Dr. Mike Thorpe
Home Department Physics
Areas of Study Fitting atomic protein structures into intermediate resolution electron density maps from Cryo-EM, extracting structural informa


Background

I received a BSc (Honors) in Physics with a minor in Genetics from the University of Manitoba (Canada).

I enjoyed virtually all science courses I have taken other than those involving rote memorization alone, as this is short-term learning and is not the way I like to gain understanding. As an undergraduate, I was most enthused with statistical mechanics and classical mechanics and disliked lab (except for the homemade ion drive). Whereas it takes a lot of time (and often money) to go from theory to practice when dealing with physical experiments, the opposite can be said of computational modeling. This, along with my interest in evolution and the nature of life in general, has led me to pursue a PhD in computational biophysics.

I also have a particular interest in neuroscience and artificial intelligence/computer learning. Such topics include neural networks, genetic algorithms (eg: FERRET), and genetic programming. The human mind can only accomplish so much before it requires these powerful correlation-learning devices, which themselves are based upon evolution and the brain. They have numerous applications in virtually all sciences, including biophysics.

With self-folding enzymes with catalytic efficiencies near 100%, materials stronger than virtually anything known to humankind, and the architecture of the mammalian brain (not just human!) so vastly superior to today�s best supercomputers, I am constantly in awe of the world around me. I suppose this is the theme of my life thus far.

Open form of adenylate kinase, with bound substate.
Adam_NoSuit.JPG
Adam de Graff
Arizona State University
Department of Physics
PO Box 871504
Tempe, AZ 85287

phone: (480) 727-7050
email: adam.degraff
@asu.edu