PREFERRED TITLE/ROLE:
Research Associate of Pharmacology
Educational Background:
M.Sc. University of California at Davis, 1995
Research Interests:
My major activities and research interests include supervising the operation of small molecule mass spectrometry services for the Core Research Facilities. This includes designing/developing new experimental protocols and methods, performing day-to-day operations and maintenance of the 4000 Q trap mass spectrometer, providing consultation, training and assistance to researchers in MS technology-based experimental design, sample preparation and data interpretation. A recent example is the development of a new sample preparation procedure for LC/MS/MS analysis of vitamin A. The new sample preparation method, Solid Phase Extraction (SPE), gave a better standard curve in terms of linearity, reproducibility and is easier to use as compared to the conventional liquid-liquid extraction method. The improved LC/MS/MS method for vitamin D analysis is another success achieved in our lab. It allows simultaneous analysis of seven vitamin D compounds and its metabolites with detection limit as low as 10 pg/mL. More recently, progress was made for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) analysis in a biological matrix. Our method is 10 times more sensitive than the most sensitive method reported up to date. The method made it possible to detect trace levels of 5-FU in the samples and helped the researchers to move their project forward. Besides the contributions made in small molecule analysis, the 4000 Q trap was also successfully applied in large molecular analysis. State-of-the-art devices including the Advion TriVersa Nanomate, a chip based technology, and a nano UPLC, the Waters Nano Acquity, were successfully incorporated into the 4000 Q trap mass spectrometry system. MRM, a protein quantitation method, has been developed for various researchers for use in grant applications. It allows us to quantify 20 to 30 proteins within 1-2 hours with a detection limit of = 0.1pmol/uL. The ultimate goal of our lab is to develop high performance mass spectrometry and separation methods, providing the most efficient and cost effective services to meet the needs of investigators for data acquisition and problem solving in supporting grant applications and associated publications.