My research is in the area of drug development. Specifically, drug molecules (called Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, or APIs) and drug formulations are subjected to forced degradation in order to determine what happens when the drug degrades under storage conditions. Degradation pathways include acid/base degradation, oxidation, photodegradation and thermal/humidity degradation. The resulting samples are studied by HPLC and LC-MS in order to identify and quantify the degradants. HPLC methods called Stability Indicating Assays can then be developed to detect the degradants which are predicted to potentially develop under normal storage conditions. Because degradants of APIs might have pharmacological or toxicological effects, forced degradation studies are a vital part of the drug development process.
If you are interested in doing research with me, you must have completed Quantitative Analysis, CHEM 221 (with a grade no lower than B) and Organic Chemistry, CHEM 231. Come by and talk to me if you are interested!