Melanie Berkmen, PhD

Education

• PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• BS Biochemistry, University of Dayton, summa cum laude

Research/Creative Interests

I have several active research interests that span molecular microbiology, biochemistry, and science education. My laboratory uses a combination of bioinformatic, molecular, cellular, and biochemical approaches to investigate how bacterial mating proteins function, interact, and localize within the cell. In a second area of research, we are exploring the biochemical mechanisms underlying metabolic disease and cancer associated with mutations in fumarase, a Krebs cycle enzyme and tumor suppressor. In addition, I collaborate with Celeste Peterson in the Department of Biology at Suffolk University to explore the use of virtual reality as a tool for teaching biomolecular structure visualization in undergraduate science courses.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that students learn science best by actively doing science. I intentionally embed authentic research experiences into my biochemistry laboratory courses because I believe students grow most when they experience both the excitement and the challenges of scientific discovery firsthand. Mentorship is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as an educator. My goal is not only to teach scientific content, but also to cultivate the curiosity, resilience, and practical experience students need to succeed in graduate school, biotechnology, healthcare, or other science-related careers.

Professional Activities

• 2010-present, Member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Grants, Awards, Honors, & Recognition

• 2023-2025
  National Science Foundation IUSE Grant – Conference (Co-PI): Training STEM educators on the use of virtual reality for teaching biomolecular visualization
• 2021, 2022, and 2025
  Suffolk University Experiential Learning Grant (with Celeste Peterson)
• 2024
  ASBMB annual meeting travel award
• 2016-2024
  New England Biolabs Course Support Award (with Department of Biology)
• 2016-2022
  National Science Foundation RUI Grant (PI): Molecular analysis of two interacting components of the conjugation machinery of Bacillus subtilis

Recent Scholarly or Creative Contributions

• Berkmen, M. B., Balla, M.*, Cavanaugh, M. T.*, Smith, I. N.*, Flores-Artica, M. E.*, Thornhill, A. M.*, Lockart, J. C.*, & Peterson, C. N. (2025). An idea to explore: Use of the virtual reality app Nanome for teaching three-dimensional biomolecular structures. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 
• Garcia, I., Cornely, K., Peterson, C. N., & Berkmen, M. B. (2024). Roles of the oncometabolite enantiomers of 2-hydroxyglutarate and their metabolism by diverse dehydrogenases. Essays in Biochemistry, 68(2), 161–171. 
• Murthy, A. C.*, Aleksanyan, N.*, Morton, G. M.*, Toyoda, H. C.*, Kalashyan, M.*, Chen, S.*, Ragucci, A. E.*, Broulidakis, M. P.*, Swerdlow, K. J.*, Bui, M. N. N.*, Muccioli, M., & Berkmen, M. B. (2023). Characterization of ConE, the VirB4 Homolog of the Integrative and Conjugative Element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. Journal of Bacteriology, 206(6), e0003323.
• Peterson, C. N., Tavana, S. Z.*, Akinleye, O. P.*, Johnson, W. H., & Berkmen, M. B. (2020). An idea to explore: Use of augmented reality for teaching three-dimensional biomolecular structures. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 48, 276–282.
• Grocott, O.*, Phanor, S. K.*, Fung, F., Thibert, R. L., & Berkmen, M. B. (2019). Clinical report and biochemical analysis of a patient with fumarate hydratase deficiency. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 182A, 504–507.

*Indicates a Suffolk University undergraduate student co-author