Kassidy Tompkins is a driven and skilled 4th year biochemistry Ph.D. candidate hailing from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. With expected graduation slated for 2021, Tompkins' expertise spans a wide array of biophysical and molecular biology characterization techniques, deep sequencing approach development, protein production and purification, tissue culture, and protein X-ray crystallography. As a passionate science communicator with experience in mentorship, teaching assistantship, and chemistry tutoring, Tompkins is dedicated to developing biotechnologies, leading teams and fostering collaboration. During her doctoral research, Tompkins established a deep sequencing-based cleavage assay called HUH-seq, used to determine the ssDNA recognition specifics of various replication initiator proteins. Additionally, Tompkins mapped the protein-DNA contacts responsible for recognition at an atomic resolution, solidifying her place as a leading biotechnologies researcher.