Personal profile
About
Dr. dela Cerna earned his PhD at the University of Louisville School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Donghan Lee and Dr. Mike Sabo, leaders in the use of high-power NMR to study protein solution dynamics. He joined the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics at Georgia Southern immediately after graduation in August 2022. His lab is broadly interested in protein biochemistry – from structure-based drug discovery to fundamental studies of protein structure-function-dynamics. The dela Cerna lab is always eager to collaborate on any area involving proteins!
Related links & documents
Education/Academic qualification
Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Award Date: Jul 31 2022
Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, MS, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Award Date: Apr 1 2019
Chemistry, MS, Department of Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University
Award Date: Apr 1 2014
Chemistry, BS, Department of Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University
Award Date: Mar 23 2012
Disciplines
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Physical Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
Research Interests
- Drug Discovery
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
- Structural Biology
- Cancer and Metastasis
- Protein NMR
- Protein Dynamics
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A LAT1-Compatible, Leadlike Tyrosine-Naphthoquinone Conjugate With Anticancer Activity
Seymour, A., Peterson, C., Osafo, R., Ashimi, A. A., Williams, D., Echezabal, L., Carrier, C., Clarke, A., Padgett, C. W., dela Cerna, M. V. C., Utic, Z., Wanduku, D., Shank, N., Aiken, K. S. & Kocerha, J., Apr 2026, In: Drug Development Research. 87, 2, e70269.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Expansion of the known poly(aspartic acid) hydrolases through the identification of four new PahZ1 homologs
Marsee, J. D., Brambley, C. A., Ho, T., Callaway, W. W., Jansch, A. L., Taylor, K., Watson-Sanders, S. R., Williams, B., Wolvington, A., Nguyen, C. T., Khan, L., Cabrera, C., Dela Cerna, M. V. C., Wallen, J. R., Weiland, M. H. & Miller, J. M., Feb 28 2026, In: Protein Engineering, Design and Selection. 39, gzag006.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
An Innovative Inhibitor with a New Chemical Moiety Aimed at Biliverdin IXβ Reductase for Thrombocytopenia and Resilient against Cellular Degradation
Jung, H. M., Ha, J. H., dela Cerna, M. V. C., Burlison, J. A., Choi, J., Kim, B. R., Bang, J. K., Ryu, K. S. & Lee, D., Sep 2024, In: Pharmaceutics. 16, 9, 1148.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
In silico identification of putative druggable pockets in PRL3, a significant oncology target
Bennett, G. M., Starczewski, J. & dela Cerna, M. V. C., Jul 1 2024, In: Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports. 39, 101767.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations -
Identification of putative druggable pockets in PRL3, a significant oncology target, usingin silicoanalysis
Bennett, G. M., Starczewski, J. & Cerna, M. V. C. D., Jul 31 2023, bioRxiv .Research output: Other contribution › Other
Open Access