Research Interests : My research program seeks to understand the synergistic relationship between chemistry and biology and how this profound interaction influences human health. Specifically, we develop analytical technology and methodology based on the use of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to probe the structure/function dynamics of lipids. The knowledge gained by comprehensively characterizing lipid structure and precisely anchoring structure to biological function provides a unique opportunity to expound fundamental knowledge of human health.
Our goal is to generate multidimensional datasets that combine cutting-edge chromatography, ion mobility, tandem mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometry surface analysis to enable new molecular insight into distressed biological pathways. The development of innovative strategies for generating multidimensional datasets combined with the integration of bioinformatic solutions provide a pathway for translating defined, molecular structure to biological function. This, in turn, facilitates a greater understanding of how lipid metabolism impacts human health.
Specific research projects:
- Sphingolipid metabolism in drug-induced liver toxicity
- Ether phospholipids in neurodegenerative diseases
- Lipid signaling in bacterial and viral pathogenesis