Pharmacokinetics & Drug Delivery

BIOGRAPHY

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
The function, transcriptional regulation and genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C enzymes
The Human Metabolism Group studies function, transcriptional regulation and genetic polymorphisms of the human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) which metabolize foreign compounds such as clinically-used drugs, herbal medicines, and environmental chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Our group has pioneered studies of the human CYP2C subfamily which includes four members: CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C18 and CYP2C19. These enzymes metabolize approximately 20% of clinically known drugs as well as over-the-counter remedies such as ibuprofen and the antiulcer drug omeprazole. The CYP2C enzymes also metabolize endogenous compounds such as and retinoic acid and metabolize arachidonic acid to biologically active intermediates.


EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, at Dallas, Texas in 1968