Long Island University has announced the hire of Dr. Jeffrey Idle, one of the world leaders in the fields of metabolomics and pharmacogenetics. Dr. Idle joins LIU as Endowed Professor and Director of the Division of Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics at The Samuel J. and Joan B. Williamson Institute of the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (LIU Pharmacy).
Through the use of mass spectrometry, metabolomic studies identify the small molecules produced through metabolic processes in cells, tissues, organs, biological fluids and other organisms. Dr. Idle’s work in this field and in pharmacogenetics has been instrumental in moving therapeutics towards more patient-specific tailored treatments (“precision medicine”) in a broad range of medical specialties. In addition, metabolomics has been successful in the discovery of biomarkers of disease susceptibility and outcome for cancer patients. Metabolomics and precision medicine may also lead to breakthroughs in treatments for osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and liver and lung disorders, among other diseases.
“Dr. Idle’s addition will drive LIU’s evolution into a progressive and leading research institution,” said Dr. John Pezzuto, Dean of LIU Pharmacy and Vice President for LIU Health and Research. “The Institute’s work will place LIU at the forefront of precision medicine, providing innumerable opportunities for collaboration with government research bodies, medical schools, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry.”
When completed in early 2018, the new, 1,100-square-foot lab in the refurbished Pharmacy building will contain state-of-the-art liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry equipment, together with genomic analysis of DNA, allowing Dr. Idle and his team to advance his vital work at LIU.
“I am excited to join the world-class team at LIU where there is a strong commitment to invest in research,” Dr. Idle said. “Precision medicine takes into account the differences between individuals to find patient-centric approaches to improve treatment. The research we will conduct at LIU is about improving outcomes for patients.”
Dr. Idle joins LIU from the University of Bern (Switzerland) where he was a visiting professor and research fellow from 2003-2016. In addition, he serves as a consultant in metabolism and a scientific contractor with the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland since 2002.
Trained in chemistry and biochemistry, Dr. Idle began his career studying drug metabolism under Professor R. Tecwyn Williams and Professor Robert L. Smith at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School (now Imperial College), University of London. He is an internationally renowned scholar who has held appointments during his career at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School (UK), Newcastle University (UK), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), Charles University (Czech Republic), and the University of Bern (Switzerland). Dr. Idle is the founding editor of Pharmacogenetics, and is the highly-cited author of more than 430 original scientific publications.
Dr. Idle will be joined at the Institute by his colleague, Dr. Diren Beyoğlu, appointed as the Associate Director and Associate Professor in Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics. She is a specialist in metabolomics and lipidomics and has trained in genotoxicity, pharmacogenetics, and chemometrics. Dr. Beyoğlu received her PhD in Pharmaceutical Toxicology from Marmara University, Istanbul in 2006. She has extensive teaching and laboratory experience and has numerous publications to her credit.
About LIU Pharmacy
The Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (LIU Pharmacy) is currently home to three state-of-the-art research institutes: the Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Analysis, the Joan B. and Samuel J. Williamson Institute for Pharmacometrics, and the Natoli Engineering Institute for Industrial Pharmacy Development and Research. LIU Pharmacy is also a member of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education, joining 15 other top schools of pharmacy from across the United States in a shared mission to improve human health by advancing quality, safety, affordability and speed to market of medicines through collaborative research.
LIU Pharmacy, which was founded in 1886 as Brooklyn College of Pharmacy, offers M.S., Ph.D. and Pharm.D. programs.
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