My career began in 1990 when I studied analytical chemistry, biochemistry and clinical pharmacology in graduate school. Seeing the essential role of analytical chemistry in a clinical laboratory setting, together with the role of the clinical scientist in influencing patient health, inspired me to pursue my career in clinical chemistry.
As a technical director of the special chemistry laboratory, my research spans diverse areas, which all relate to improving the capacity of the lab to deliver analytical services to researchers and clinicians. The overall goal of my lab is to develop analytical techniques for measuring and monitoring levels of drugs, drug metabolites, small molecules, bioactive molecules and biomarkers in lab specimens. I then help translate these findings to improve treatment initiatives.
I hold two US patents: #5,240,571 “Quantitative method of detection of analytes in aqueous fluids by detection of NADH and NADPH” and #6,984,308 “Electrochemical analysis of coenzyme Q10 and reduced coenzyme Q10.” Also, in 2013, Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD) signed a contract to use our high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) laboratory as their core lab for clinical trials involving coenzyme Q10.
As a clinical scientist, I enjoy developing novel methods to measure and monitor new drugs and biomarkers. I also enjoy teaching medical technologists to use analytical methods in routine practice. We must remember that, in modern medicine, biomarkers always have a use as diagnostic tools. They allow a more personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
PhD: Analytical Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 1990.
MS: Biochemistry, Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, LA, 1985.
BS: Pharmacy, Taipei Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, 1978.
In vitro diagnostics; disease monitoring procedures
Mitochondrial dysfunction; metabolic disorders; neurodegenerative diseases; hemoglobin disorders; neurogenesis; and therapeutic drug monitoring
Pathology
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Total and Free Ceftriaxone in Critically Ill Children and Young Adults and Monte Carlo Simulations Support Twice Daily Dosing for Target Attainment. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2022; 66:e0142721.
Demonstrating Feasibility of an Opportunistic Sampling Approach for Pharmacokinetic Studies of β-Lactam Antibiotics in Critically Ill Children. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2021; 61:565-573.
Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System Therapy with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Enhanced Clearance of Piperacillin in a Pediatric Patient and Led to Failure to Attain Pharmacodynamic Targets. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 2020; 40:1061-1068.
Paediatric ganciclovir dosing in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Is standard dosing good enough?. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2020; 45:218-220.
The CoQ oxidoreductase FSP1 acts parallel to GPX4 to inhibit ferroptosis. Nature. 2019; 575:688-692.
1543. Ceftaroline Model-based Dose Individualization in an Infant with Kidney Disease and Mediastinitis. Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 2019; 6:s563.