We make structural biology more accessible to the next generation of scientists and drug discovery and development companies.

Josh is a visionary leader and the entrepreneurial force behind Helix BioStructures. As the Co-Founder and CEO, Josh has been instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction and driving its rapid growth since its inception in 2017. His leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to innovation, quality, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

Before founding Helix BioStructures, Josh played a pivotal role at Shamrock Structures LLC, where he was integral in developing a cutting-edge protein crystallographic service pipeline. His extensive expertise in X-ray crystallographic data collection, honed through working with synchrotron facilities worldwide, laid the foundation for Helix’s core offerings. Josh’s forward-thinking approach also led to the development of automated software for crystallographic data processing and structure solution, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of these processes.

As an entrepreneur, Josh is constantly seeking new opportunities to expand and refine Helix’s service portfolio. His efforts have not only fueled the successful growth of the crystallographic and cryo-EM imaging business but also facilitated the company’s expansion into protein production and biophysical characterization services. Josh’s leadership style is characterized by a hands-on approach, guiding his team through complex challenges and fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

Josh holds a BS degree in Biology from Indiana University and is passionate about leveraging his scientific background to drive technological advancements in structural biology. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence continue to propel Helix BioStructures as a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry.

In his free time, Josh enjoys spending quality time with his family and has a deep love for the great outdoors. Whether hiking, fishing, or simply exploring nature, he finds balance and inspiration in the natural world, which fuels his creativity and passion for innovation.

Kyung Hoon Lee is a seasoned expert with extensive knowledge and experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, including strain engineering, protein expression, purification, characterization, and process development. As the Chief Operating Officer of Helix BioStructures, Kyung plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operations across all departments, ensuring the seamless integration of scientific excellence with business development. His leadership extends to managing the scientific teams as well as supporting the sales and marketing efforts, helping to drive the company’s growth and maintain its commitment to quality and innovation.

Before joining Helix, Kyung led multiple large-scale protein production projects, supporting regulatory studies and safety assessments of agricultural industry products on a global scale. His academic background includes significant contributions to anaerobic biochemistry and assay development, where he specialized in producing and characterizing enzymes crucial for the biosynthesis of natural products and metabolites.

Kyung is known for his strong work ethic and adaptability, which he brings to every aspect of his role at Helix. He is deeply committed to fostering a culture of excellence, both in the lab and in customer relations, ensuring that Helix not only meets but exceeds client expectations. His experience in human resources, having served as an HR manager and professional development leader, further enhances his ability to manage and develop his team, helping them to achieve their full potential.

Kyung holds an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Seoul National University and is dedicated to leveraging his scientific expertise to advance Helix’s mission.

Outside of work, Kyung enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and is an avid fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His love for music and adventure reflects his dynamic personality and his ability to find inspiration both in and out of the workplace.

Surajit Banerjee, Ph.D., is an experienced structural biologist and business development leader with over 20 years of combining cutting-edge scientific research with strategic commercial growth. With a solid background in cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM), crystallography, and NMR, he has made notable contributions to the life sciences field—publishing more than 65 research papers in top journals like Nature, Science, and Cell. At Thermo Fisher Scientific, he played a key role in developing the CryoEM pipeline within the pharma/biotech platform. His previous roles at Columbia University and Cornell/Argonne’s NE-CAT demonstrate his leadership in facility management, industry partnership, and scientific innovation. Beyond research, Surajit is known for fostering collaborations with leading pharma and biotech companies to incorporate CryoEM workflows into drug discovery processes. He also holds a patent and has strong programming skills in Python to support analytical and automation efforts. His dedication to science, education, and collaboration continues to drive innovation in structural biology and biopharma.

James Fuller is a biochemist and structural biologist with extensive expertise in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and a deep understanding of structural biology. With over 10 years of hands-on laboratory experience, James has independently led projects from conception to protein production, purification, and structural analysis. His comprehensive skill set spans sample preparation, data collection, and data processing for various techniques, including SAXS, X-ray crystallography, and single-particle cryo-EM.

James has been instrumental in the creation and development of the cryo-EM service at Helix BioStructures, where he currently leads the cryo-EM team. His work has positioned him as a world leader in cryo-EM data processing, with a particular focus on optimizing sample preparation techniques, such as ice and particle distribution, using Thermo Scientific Vitrobot systems. His experience extends to high-throughput crystallization screen setup, where he employed robotics to streamline processes.

In addition to his practical laboratory skills, James is proficient in a variety of structural solution software, including ATSAS, Chimera, PyMol, Coot, CCP4, Phenix, RELION, CisTEM, Sphire, and EMAN2. His computational expertise further includes general Linux/UNIX operations, Bash shell scripting, and familiarity with tools like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Git.

James holds a BA in Biology and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics. His contributions to Helix are marked by his commitment to scientific excellence and innovation, making him a key leader in the field of cryo-EM.

Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and is a passionate Formula 1 racing enthusiast, reflecting his love for precision, speed, and innovation.

Kent grew up in central Indiana with an early passion for science. He earned his Ph.D. at Northwestern University in the laboratory of Ted Jardetzky, specializing in X-ray crystallography. After Chicago, he moved to San Diego for postdoctoral fellowships at the Salk Institute and Scripps Research, where he expanded into NMR and membrane proteins, working on ion channels and gap junctions.

Kent began his industry career at Eli Lilly’s Biotechnology Center in San Diego, leading a protein purification group, launching structural biology efforts on GPCRs, and learning end-to-end drug discovery. He went on to roles at several small biotechs and at AbbVie, where he led teams and advanced challenging drug-discovery targets, including supporting a major external collaboration with Calico.

Today, Kent has joined Helix to strengthen protein science and structural biology programs. True to his Hoosier roots, he’s looking forward to growing Helix—and to soaking in those unbeatable Midwest fall colors.‍

Focus areas: X-ray crystallography • NMR • Membrane proteins (GPCRs, ion channels, gap junctions) • Protein purification • Team leadership • Drug discovery workflows

Since joining Helix Biostructures in 2018, Nicole has served as the Operations Specialist, where she oversees the scheduling and shipping for X-ray data collection clients. Her role includes coordinating with the accounting team and maintaining clear, consistent communication with clients to ensure their needs are met.

With a passion for collaboration and multitasking, Nicole thrives on keeping operations organized—whether it's managing multiple shipments across various destinations or ensuring smooth coordination between teams.

Nicole holds a degree in elementary education from Indiana University and, prior to joining Helix, gained valuable administrative experience working in both small businesses and public schools.

Outside of work, she enjoys unwinding with a good book, attending concerts, and traveling with her family.

Dr. Tera Lavoie became a consultant with Helix BioStructures in October 2021. She has been the Assistant Facility Director and Technical Director of Advanced Electron Microscopy Core Facility at the University of Chicago since May 2017 and has more than 18 years of experience in electron microscopy techniques. Tera oversees diverse EM techniques, ranging from classical chemical fixation/TEM techniques to newer EM techniques, such as large volume imaging of cells/tissues (both serial block face imaging and array tomography), correlative microscopy, cryo-preservation of cells/tissues for tomography (both plastic and cryo), and cryo-TEM of proteins/small particles.

Tera completed her Masters in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University and her PhD in Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine from the University of Chicago. She worked in the laboratory of Dr. Julian Solway, studying airway smooth muscle mechanics with the objective of modulating its contractility for a treatment target in asthma. After leaving Dr. Solway’s lab, Tera headed the Loyola Core Microscopy Facility before joining the University of Chicago.

As a people person, Tera loves working in the core facility setting. She loves training researchers to use new technologies to answer their research questions in ways they hadn’t thought about before. She finds joy in having a hand in many scientific inquiries that span many disciplines. When not in the lab, Tera enjoys spending time watching as much live baseball as possible. In the off season, she takes in various concerts and Broadway shows.

Thomas joined Helix BioStructures in March 2023 and works within the gene-to-structure pipeline for X-ray crystallography projects . He is a key member of the X-ray synchrotron data collection team, which collects diffraction datasets on hundreds of crystals a week at beamlines worldwide. Thomas is also an experienced researcher in drug discovery, design, and development and has done multiple internships in both industrial and academic settings throughout his undergraduate studies. He continues to hone his skills in molecular modeling and computer-aided drug design.

Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology Program from the University of Massachusetts Amherst,  where he worked in a laboratory that studies the structural biology of glycoproteins implicated in lysosomal protein diseases. He solved the structure of a protein complex that furthers the understanding of the molecular basis of Fabry Disease concerning glycosphingolipid metabolism. During his graduate studies, Thomas was also a campus-wide lead trainer within the newfound Biophysical Characterization and Bioproduction/Separation Core Facilities, having commanded the use of various X-ray crystallography and biophysical/biochemical characterization robots.

As a structural biologist, Thomas loves looking at life at the atomic level, and he enjoys helping Helix customers get higher resolution insights into their biologics.  He is always fascinated by the artistry of nature, the intricate mechanisms of biological systems, and the technological advancements that make contemporary structural biology research possible.

Thomas lives with his family outside of Tampa, Florida. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children. Thomas is a self-taught snow- and stand-up paddle-boarder, and he enjoys ocean kayaking or running along the coast during evening sunsets.

Peter provides x-ray diffraction data collection services for Helix at worldwide synchrotrons.  Peter harnesses over a decade of experience in crystallization and crystal structure determination, with expertise in many x-ray sources/detectors, data processing, and 3D structure analysis packages to provide high-quality x-ray diffraction data to Helix’s clients.

Peter earned his PhD from the University of Toronto, Canada, at the Ontario Cancer Institute studying oncogenic transcription factors.  He transitioned to the structural biology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial drug discovery, where he researched structural and functional mechanisms of microbial enzymes involved in pathogenesis, drug resistance, and drug targets.  Peter was a key member of NIH-funded structural genomics initiatives, including the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, and the Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, where he managed teams of researchers conducting protein production, crystallization, structure determination, enzymology, and molecular biology studies.  He has published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific articles and determined over 250 crystal structures publicly available in the Protein Databank.

Peter recharges his batteries during his (little) free time chasing after his Frenchie as she terrorizes the neighborhood, cycling, keeping up to date with the latest political memes, and spending time with friends and family.

Shubhra is an accomplished structural biologist with expertise spanning protein biochemistry, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM. During her postdoctoral work at the National Institutes of Health, she focused on the expression, purification, and structural analysis of challenging membrane proteins. Her multidisciplinary training and solutions-driven mindset enable her to address some of the most complex questions in structural biology. Beyond the lab, Shubhra enjoys exploring new places, spending time with family, and drawing creative inspiration from moments of quiet reflection.

Meagan earned her Ph.D. in 2018 from Columbia University and went on to complete her postdoctoral training at the University of Virginia, where she was awarded the NIH F32 Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship—a testament to her scientific excellence.

Her research has focused on uncovering the structure and function of membrane proteins involved in bacterial pathogenesis and cell wall biosynthesis. Meagan brings a wealth of expertise in structural biology, protein biochemistry, and biophysics, and she’s eager to apply her skills to innovative research and technology development here at Helix.

John Kim is Helix’s first postdoctoral fellow, specializing in gene-to-structure services focusing on enhancing the company’s X-ray crystallography pipeline. Passionate about solving complex crystallographic problems, John is dedicated to delivering high-resolution protein structures tailored to the needs of Helix’s clients. His efforts also include expanding the laboratory’s capabilities through developing bioreactor methods and antibody production strategies.

John earned his Ph.D. in 2022 from the University of Georgia, where he was awarded the prestigious NIH T32 grant as part of the Glycobiology Training Program. His doctoral research led to eight publications, contributing to the field of biochemistry by broadening the knowledge of protein oligomerization, glycan biosynthesis, and protein-glycan interactions. Through these efforts, John gained a comprehensive skill set across protein production, biophysics, and structural biology.

Outside the lab, John is a devoted husband to a yeast geneticist and a proud father of an energetic toddler. The Kim family enjoys hiking and birdwatching together at Eagle Creek, one of their favorite parks in Indy.

Jennifer Arruda is a dedicated and skilled scientist at Helix BioStructures, specializing in protein production. A returning student who established her scientific career later in life, Jennifer’s journey into protein biochemistry and structural biology was driven by her determination and passion. Balancing two jobs while furthering her education, she transitioned from over 20 years of experience in customer service industries into a successful second career in Research and Development.

With 17 years of experience spanning academia, the agricultural sector, and the pharmaceutical industry, Jennifer has developed a broad skill set that includes protein expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems at scales ranging from 3 mL to 60L, microbial fermentation, protein purification and refolding, and assay development. Her attention to detail and hands-on expertise make her an invaluable part of Helix’s scientific team.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys knitting scarves and is a true yarn enthusiast. She also loves spending time with her cats, combining her hobbies to create a warm and cozy environment that reflects her love of crafting and creativity.

Ben Watson grew up in Nashville, Indiana and attended BrownCounty High School before moving briefly to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the start of his Undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. Ben transferred to PurdueUniversity in his Sophomore year for better access to research programs and completed his bachelor's degree at Purdue in Biochemistry (BiologyDepartment). From undergrad Ben continued on to seek his doctorate in Cell andMolecular Biology in the lab of Dr. Seema Mattoo, and is now in a postdoctoral fellowship at Helix BioStructures following the conclusion of his graduate work. Ben has a 10-month old daughter who cheerfully takes up his free time, but Ben also likes to go hiking and go to the movies with his family, enjoys cooking (as well as eating) and likes to spend time in Southern Indiana with his parents and parents-in-law, who both live in the country.

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Justin earned his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Georgia (2016) and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University (2024). At Yale, he dug into nociceptive ion channels—defining calcium-dependent regulation of TRPA1 and probing calmodulin–TRPA1 interactions with a blend of biochemistry, biophysics, and electrophysiology. Along the way, he also pursued structural and biochemical studies of Golgi glycosyltransferases using X-ray crystallography and was awarded an NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship.

Today, Justin brings that mix of curiosity and rigor to Helix, where he helps translate complex ion-channel biology into clear, testable hypotheses and practical workflows. He’s at his best on challenging targets, collaborating across teams, and turning data into decisions.

Focus areas: Ion channels (TRPA1) • Membrane and soluble protein biophysics • X-ray crystallography • Protein purification • Electrophysiology • Structure–function analysis

Guillermo is a seasoned expert in the biopharmaceutical industry. He possesses a wealth of knowledge in medicinal chemistry, molecular modeling, and pharmaceutical drug development. With 29 years of R&D experience, Guillermo has spearheaded the development of numerous compounds, guiding them from conception through preclinical development, formulation, and optimization, even up to initial regulatory involvement, including Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions.

Guillermo is a proven entrepreneur, adept at securing millions of dollars in funding from venture capitalists and non-dilutive government grants. His innovative work has led to 11 awarded patents, with more currently in prosecution. He is also a business and scientific advisor to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Guillermo’s academic achievements include a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Louisiana State University,  an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute, and a BS in Industrial Chemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Mexico). In his leisure time, Guillermo enjoys spending quality time with his family, immersing himself in a good book, and exploring the outdoors on his mountain bike.