Steven Koch

Current

Assistant Professor at University of New Mexico, Physics and Astronomy and Center for High Technology Materials

Past

CINT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories
Postdoctoral Appointee at Sandia National Laboratories
Graduate Research Assistant at Cornell University, Department of Physics

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Education

Cornell University
University of Michigan

Recommended

1 person has recommended Steven

Connections

89 connections

Industry

Research

Websites

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Steven Koch’s Summary

Experience in single-molecule biophysics, using optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers and MEMS devices. Primary research interests involve the development of biophysical tools, particularly single-molecule manipulation techniques, to answer important biological questions that cannot be answered with existing techniques. Biological focus is on chromatin, transcription, and DNA repair. Goals are to develop a well-funded research lab where students and postdocs can make signicant accomplishments, develop their skills, and maximize chances for success in the next step of their career.

Steven Koch’s Specialties:

Single-molecule biophysics, optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, bio-MEMS, molecular biology, LabVIEW for automation, data acquisition and data analysis.

Steven Koch’s Experience

Assistant Professor

University of New Mexico, Physics and Astronomy and Center for High Technology Materials

(Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Research industry)

August 2006 — Present (3 years 5 months)

Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM)
CINT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow

Sandia National Laboratories

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Nanotechnology industry)

June 2004 — August 2006 (2 years 3 months)

Led an interdisciplinary team of scientists from Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs to design and construct state of the art single-molecule manipulation capabilities for the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT). Developed MEMS technology for applications in biophysics and nanotechnology.
Postdoctoral Appointee

Sandia National Laboratories

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Biotechnology industry)

June 2003 — June 2004 (1 year 1 month)

Developed and characterized strategies for stabilizing kinesin and microtubules (a biomolecular motor system) for use in synthetic systems (DARPA funded).
Graduate Research Assistant

Cornell University, Department of Physics

(Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; Higher Education industry)

January 1998 — May 2003 (5 years 5 months)

Along with Richard Yeh, designed and constructed a state of the art optical tweezers system for single-molecule biophysics experiments. System included laser optics, microscopy, electronics, digital feedback data acquisition and data analysis software. The optical tweezers system was used to take the data for most of the first papers to come out of the lab, including two in PNAS, two in Molecular Cell, one PRL, three in Biophysical Journal, and one in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology. I also used these tweezers for the invention of a new single molecule technique for investigating protein-DNA interactions by unzipping single DNA molecules.

Steven Koch’s Education

Cornell University

Ph.D., M.S. , Physics / Biophysics , August 1996 — May 2003

Built state of the art optical tweezers system. Invented and filed patent disclosure for a new single molecule technique for investigating protein-DNA interactions by unzipping single DNA molecules.
Participated in Professor BenDaniel's Entrepreneurship and Private Equity class, Habitat for Humanity, Intramural Soccer, Basketball, Softball.

Activities and Societies:

American Physical Society, Biophysical Society, NIH Molecular Biophysics Trainee, US Dept. Ed. Teaching and Research Fellow.
University of Michigan

B.S. , Physics , August 1992 — May 1996

Activities and Societies:

American Physical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Tenor Sax in the Michigan Marching Band (Rank Leader 1995).