Sam obtained his PhD with Professor Matt Redinbo at the University of North Carolina and was a postdoctoral fellow with Professor David Baker at the University of Washington.  In David’s lab he pioneered the use of machine learning models for computational enzyme design ((Lauko, Pellock et al, Science 2025)). In this work Sam designed new enzymes which were compatible with the distinct conformations of the active site required for a complex multistep chemical reaction.

At GBI Sam’s research focuses on modelling the multi-state and motive nature of enzymes, using design and data to discover new enzymes and building enzymes to address issues of sustainability.

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