Scientist
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Don is from the heart and soul of the Mississippi Delta, Greenville, MS (home of the Blues and Rock & Roll). In May 2015, He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. From 2012 to 2014, he did biophysical chemistry research with Professor Bidisha Sengupta studying flavonoid interactions with their physiological targets. The goal is to develop phytochemical-based therapeutic drugs characterized by their high potency and low systemic toxicity.
I joined Professor John A. McLean's laboratory in Spring 2016, working on targeted and untargeted liquid chromatography - drift tube ion mobility - mass spectrometry assay development and validation for translational applications. These applications include quantitative methods for clinical panels (e.g., anti-epileptic drugs, amino acids, and synthetic steroids). Quantitative translational assays using mass spectrometry provide multiplexed, robust, selective, and sensitive protocols for measuring small and large molecules in human matrices. Quantitative results provide the information necessary to minimize side effects and individually optimize medication dosage and/or treatment. He graduated in May 2021.
He is currently working as a Scientist at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, utilizing liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry for preclinical and translational studies in the Discovery Bioanalysis group.
He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, music, and rally car racing/drifting.