David F. Estrada

Fernando, a 2007-2011 Self Fellow, received a Ph.D. in molecular biosciences in 2011. He received a B.S. (1999) in biochemistry from Kansas State University. After graduation, he received a commission into the Army Intelligence Corps where he served as a platoon leader, senior intelligence advisor, and as an intelligence operations officer. He was promoted to Captain in 2002 and awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in 2003. Fernando is a veteran of the war in Iraq. Most recently, he served as a paratrooper in the 18th Airborne Corps Artillery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Currently, he is separated from military service.

As a graduate student Fernando studied the mode of molecular recognition of Hantaviral proteins. He is currently a post doctoral researcher working with Emily Scott in the medicinal chemistry department at KU. He is currently applying solution NMR techniques to mammalian (membrane) cytochrome P450 enzymes. His goals are to someday influence the direction of research in private industry and to promote careers in science among first-generation college students.

Mentor: Roberto N. De Guzman, Assistant Professor, Molecular Biosciences