Aleksandra Skrajna Selected as 2025 Forbeck Foundation Fall Scholar
We are pleased to announce that Aleksandra Skrajna, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has been named a 2025 Fall Scholar by the William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation (Forbeck Foundation). This prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to cancer research and her potential to drive innovative advancements in the field.
About Aleksandra Skrajna
Dr. Skrajna’s research focuses on understanding histone homeostasis and its implications in human health and disease. Her work aims to elucidate the mechanisms of histone degradation and the protein interaction networks of histone complexes, particularly in the context of cancer. By conducting comprehensive genomic and proteomic screens, her laboratory seeks to identify proteins involved in maintaining and degrading histone complexes, laying the foundation for future cancer therapeutics.
Selected Publications
Skrajna A., Robinson E., Cannon K., Sarsam R., Ouellette R. G., Brennwald P., McGinty R. K., Strauss J. D., and Baker R. W. (2025). Nickel-NTA lipid-monolayer affinity grids allow for high-resolution structure determination by cryo-EM. BioRxiv. DOI:10.1101/2025.04.24.650495
Skrajna A., Bodrug T., Martinez-Chacin R. C., Fisher C. B., Welsh K. A., Simmons H. C., Arteaga E. C., Simmons J. M., Nasr M. A., LaPak K. M., Nguyen A., Huynh M. T., Fargo I., Welfare J. G., Zhao Y., Lawrence D. S., Goldfarb D., Brown N. G., and McGinty R. K. (2025). APC/C-mediated ubiquitylation of extranucleosomal histone complexes lacking canonical degrons. Nature Communications, 16, 2561.
Skrajna A., Goldfarb D., Kedziora K. M., Cousins E. M., Grant G. D., Anderson C. J., Barbour E. H., Yan X., Hathaway N. A., Brown N. G., Cook J. G., Major M. B., and McGinty R. K. (2020). Comprehensive nucleosome interactome screen reveals dominant role of acidic patch in nucleosome binding. Nucleic Acids Research, 48(17), 9415-9432.
About the Forbeck Foundation
The William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation is dedicated to advancing cancer research by fostering collaboration among leading scientists and emerging investigators. Through its highly regarded Scholar Retreats and scientific forums, the Foundation provides a unique environment where early-career researchers can engage directly with top experts in the field, share their work, and build lasting partnerships that accelerate discovery.
Dr. Skrajna’s selection as a Fall Scholar reflects not only her outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research but also her potential to make meaningful contributions to the future of cancer science. As a Fall Scholar, she will participate in an intensive, discussion-driven retreat with other selected scholars and senior experts, focusing on cutting-edge challenges and opportunities in cancer research.
We congratulate Dr. Skrajna on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the important work she will continue to advance as part of the Forbeck Foundation’s growing community of scholars.
Learn more about the 2025 Fall Scholars and the Foundation’s mission here: https://www.wgfrf.org/blog/2025-fall-scholars-announced