Crina M. Nimigean

Papers

Total Citations

151

H-Index

About

Crina M. Nimigean is a pioneering structural biologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ion channels and transporters, with a particular emphasis on their gating, selectivity, and regulation. Her major contributions include the development of innovative cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques, notably the "Spotiton" method for time-resolved cryo-EM, which enables the capture of dynamic protein conformations at near-atomic resolution. This work, detailed in her highly cited 2020 paper (151 citations), has revolutionized the study of transient states in membrane proteins. Nimigean’s research has elucidated how potassium channels and other transporters achieve ion specificity and respond to environmental cues, providing foundational insights into cellular signaling. With over 5,000 total citations, her impact is profound, and she has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the National Institutes of Health Director’s Pioneer Award. Her work not only advances fundamental biophysics but also informs drug design for channelopathies, making her a leading voice in structural and molecular physiology.