Faculty/Staff

Dr. Justin Link

Assistant Professor, Physics

First Year at Xavier University:

2008

Degrees:

BS, MS, Ph.D. (The Ohio State University)

Biography:

Dr. Justin Link earned his bachelor's degree in Physics and mathematics minor from Xavier University in 2002. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 2008 in experimental biophysics under Dr. Dongping Zhong. His dissertation, “Ultrafast Protein Conformation Dynamics,” utilized nonlinear ultrafast laser spectroscopy coupled with an interdisciplinary approach involving biochemistry and molecular biology to investigate the ultrafast conformational dynamics of heme proteins. He joined the physics faculty at Xavier in 2008.

Dr. Link's primary research area encompasses an interdisciplinary approach to further elucidate the conformational influences of site-directed mutations on model proteins, namely myoglobin and cytochrome c. Optical techniques such as absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism are used in combination with molecular biology and chemistry methodologies to study folding and stability properties of these proteins. Students performing research with Dr. Link are exposed to the interdisciplinary approach and have been members of the department of physics or biology.

In his free time, Dr. Link is a self proclaimed Cleveland sports fan, rough life he knows. He also enjoys golf, softball, soccer, volleyball, bowling, fishing, and other outdoor activities. When he is not in the class or in his lab, he can often be found with students in his office discussing the meaning of life.

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