Analytical Methods and Devices for Drug Quality Assurance Testing
The World Health Organization estimates that, globally, nearly 225 million people were infected with malaria over the past year resulting in over 800,000 deaths, 85% of which comprise children under the age of five (WHO 2010 Malaria Report). This grim number actually illustrates hopeful progress that has been made over data reported in the previous year through aggressive education, intervention and therapy developments. Although the downward estimated trend in global malarial infections is encouraging, other disturbing trends are emerging. In the South-east Asian region, the disease is making a comeback largely due to the introduction of counterfeit or under-dose medications. Counterfeit anti-malarial “therapies” are giving the disease carrying mosquitoes the upper hand. In a RIT-RGH Alliance project, and in collaboration with a research team at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, we are developing sensitive and specific analytical chemical assays and methods to detect counterfeits medications for use at the point of care. Translating these assays to inexpensive, field-ready, devices are also being developed.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: Analytical Chemistry Team
Dr. Dan Heglund and Mr. Neal Hodges
Dr. Roberto Vargas
Director, Microbiology
Department of Laboratory Services
Hematin:Drug Interaction Studies
Avani Sudhakar recently presented a poster at the 2012 American Chemical Society National Meeting in Philadelphia investigating the interaction effects of small molecules with iron protoporphyrin IX in order to learn more about the disease pathways that lead to malarial infection and resistance.
Gadolinium-based MRI Contrast Agent Nanostructures
Determination of Free and Bound Bilirubin in Human Serum.
Dr. Scott Williams
Professor of Chemistry
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
Rochester Institute of Technology
(585)475-3033
Education:
Purdue University (Biochemistry)
Montana State University (Physical Chemistry)
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Pharmacology)
Awards:
2011 Raymond C. Bowman Award (IS&T)
2008 Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching Award
1996 Provost Excellence in Teaching Award
Research Articles
Mayer, K. et. al.: Hepatitis B Assays in Serum, Plasma and Whole Blood on Filter Paper. BMC Clinical Pathology, 12:8, 2012.
Bowels, D. et. al: Chemiluminescent Identificaiton and Quantification of Artemisinin and Relavant Sesquiterpene Lactone Derivatives. Applied Spectroscopy, 66:2, 175-179, 2012.
