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Meet the Lab Members

Jay Kumar, PhD

Research Instructor

Chanel Norphlet

Chanel Norphlet

Research Assistant

Chanel Norphlet is a native of Oxford, MS, and is a graduate of Jackson State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Minor in Chemistry. She also holds a Master's Degree in Biological Sciences from Chicago State University. Chanel oversees the daily operations of the laboratory, managing tasks that range from hands-on bench work to essential administrative duties. Chanel’s current project focuses on analyzing the interactions between G6PT and PRKACA to gain a structural understanding of G6PT and its role in different metabolic processes. While not in the laboratory, Chanel loves cooking a variety of dishes, baking, and serving her community.

Fun Fact: Chanel loves to dance battle.

Maggie Rakonick

Maggie Rakonick

Research Technician

Maggie Rakonick is a native of St. Louis, MO, and a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry. Maggie’s current project focuses on transcription levels of G6PC1 and exploring ways to increase the expression of mutants to overcome pathogenicity. She is also working to decrease ubiquitination levels of unstable mutants to learn more about the lifecycle of G6PC1.
Beyond research, Maggie enjoys line dancing, watching Formula 1, eating fruit snacks, and baking.

Fun Fact: Shelby says, "Maggie is funny."

Email

Shelby Harris

Shelby Harris

Graduate Student

Shelby Harris is a native of Alexandria, Alabama and received her Bachelors of Science degree in Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Jacksonville State University. She previously worked under the supervision of Dr. Xiankai Sun at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX in the Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Program as the lab manager for the preclinical PET/CT imaging lab. There, she focused on developing both radiolabeled antibodies and metabolic-based imaging tracers for cancer and infectious disease, respectfully. Shelby joined the Claxton lab as a PhD student in the Chemical and Physical Biology Program in 2025. Her project aims to develop nanobodies against the isoforms of G6PC1 using a yeast display system while defining the protein dynamics of the enzyme using double electron-electron resonance (DEER). Outside of lab, Shelby likes to travel, hang out with her dog Maverick, go to Vanderbilt sport games, and try restaurants and coffee shops all around Nashville with her friends.

Fun Fact: Shelby is a major ice hockey fan, even before Heated Rivalry came out. (Go Stars!)