Kristian Want

Postdoctoral Researcher, Brandeis University

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  • Research focus: Mitochondrial Fe-S Metabolism and Associated Diseases
  • Methods: Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and C. elegans Genetics
  • Research Goal: Therapeutic target identification and drug discovery
  • Current position: Postdoctoral researcher, Meisel & Pandelia labs, Brandeis University

I’m a current Postdoctoral researcher based in the Meisel and Pandelia labs at Brandeis University, studying the biochemistry and underlying genetics of mitochondrial diseases. Particularly, I’m interested in characterizing the pathways that assemble, deliver, and regulate Fe-S clusters, alongside exploring related clinical diseases in model organisms and recombinant systems. To explore this field, I combine in vitro biochemical reconstitution with in vivo C. elegans genetics.

My previous Ph.D. research was carried out under the mentorship of Dr. Benoit D’Autreaux at the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), with my doctorate in Biochemistry and Structural Biology awarded by the Université Paris-Saclay. This research was initially focused on the design of novel therapeutics to treat the rare disease Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA). As the projects progressed, I focused on characterizing the interactions and activity of FXN and FDX2 during the assembly of [2Fe-2S] clusters using a combination of biochemical and biophysical techniques. Ultimately, this led to the discovery that FDX2 has an unexpected auto-inhibitory role during [2Fe-2S] synthesis, and decreasing its concentration significantly extends lifespan in a FRDA model of D. melanogaster. This work is succeeded by a first author publication in Nature.

I was awarded my BSc and MBiol in Biochemistry from the University of Leeds. My Master’s project focused on discerning the mechanism of electron transfer from a redox-active c-type cytochrome to an AA10-type lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), performed under the guidance of Dr. Glyn Hemsworth. This was subsequently nominated by the University of Leeds for the Royal Society of Biology Top Master’s Project Award.

Latest publication: Nature (2026)

Awards

  • 2026Brandeis Sprout Program ($30,000) - Conceptualized and pitched a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia to a panel of external specialists and was subsequently selected to receive research funding and mentorship for product materialization.
  • 2023Highest Rating FARA Flash Talk ($100) - Awarded as the highest rated flash talk during a series for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) charity community (talk available online).
  • 2021Nominated for the Royal Society of Biology Top Master's Project Award - Awarded by the University of Leeds for "submitting the best final year project in an accredited programme of study in the school of Molecular and Cellular Biology".
  • 2021Molecular and Cellular Biology Master's Project Prize - Awarded for achieving the highest research project grade among the Master's cohort.
  • 2016-2021Dean's List Prize for Academic Excellence - Achieved an accumulated 1st Class grade throughout each academic year while studying at the University of Leeds.
  • 2015Top-Student Award for Excellence in Chemistry - Awarded during A-Levels.