Mahdi Hasan is a Ph.D. candidate in chemical biology at the Technion, where he conducts research under the supervision of Professor Ashraf Brik. His research focuses on developing innovative chemical biology tools to investigate ubiquitin signaling, biomolecular condensates, and targeted protein degradation, with the goal of understanding the crosstalk between different ubiquitin chain types and their roles in cellular signaling. His work integrates peptide chemistry, protein engineering and purification, chemical synthesis, microscopy, flow cytometry, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, quantitative proteomics, and computational analysis.

Mahdi received both his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in biotechnology engineering from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev under the supervision of Professor Isam Khalaila. His master's research focused on developing vitellogenin-derived peptide delivery systems for gene silencing, resulting in two peer-reviewed publications. His doctoral research has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications spanning targeted protein degradation, protein delivery, and peptide development for modulating biomolecular condensates. 

As a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Scripps Research, he will expand his expertise by applying advanced chemical biology and Chemoproteomics approaches to investigate dynamic protein signalling and protein complexes, with the long-term goal of developing innovative therapeutic strategies.

In addition to his research, Mahdi is actively involved in teaching undergraduate chemistry laboratories and mentoring students. He also participates in science outreach initiatives that encourage curiosity and scientific engagement among diverse communities. Beyond the laboratory, he enjoys hiking, mountaineering, and exploring nature. He believes that the resilience, curiosity, and perseverance developed in the mountains are the same qualities that drive scientific discovery and innovation.

Selected publication: 

1. Hasan M., Vodnala N., Glagovsky Y., Saed Y., Kriegesmann J., Suga H., Brik A. Direct Cellular Screening of Pd-Mediated Arylation of Cyclic Peptide Binders Targeting Ubiquitin Chains: Towards Modulating NEMO Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 28303–28312. 
2. Hasan M., Panda D., Mann G., Brik A. De novo Semi-Synthetic Platform for Monitoring Protein Degradation in Live Cells. ChemBioChem2024, 25, e202300731. 
3. Nassar E., Donthuju A., Hasan M., Brik A. Chemical Synthesis of Mirror-Image Proteins Reveals Chirality-Dependent Cellular Uptake Mediated by a Cell-Penetrating Peptide. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c03792.