Dr. Joseph D. Ma: Clinical Pharmacology

Research Summary: Drug-Drug Interactions

Dr. Ma’s research interests are in examining the validity and utility of methods used to evaluate the clinical significance of drug-drug and drug-transporter interactions. Dr. Ma is also interesting in examining inter- and intra-individual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability in special populations. Specifically, he is involved in phase I clinical trial development and execution in cancer patients at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center.

He is Co-Investigator of an educational campaign project (Pharmacogenomics Education Program™) that strives to educate health care professionals and students about pharmacogenomic concepts and clinical applications.

Academic Achievements

Education: B.S. in Biology (1998) UCI; Pharm.D. (2002) UCSF; Fellowship in clinical pharmacology from (2002-2004) Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY.

Awards and Honors: NIDA Intramural Research Training Award, NIH (1997, 1998); UCSD SSPPS 3rd year Class Faculty Teaching Award (2008).

Leadership Experience: Clinical Trial Associate, Early Development, Amgen, Inc. (2004-2007); Meeting Program Committee Member, ACCP Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, (2009); Co-chair, Symposium: Innovations and Controversies in Quantifying Drug-Drug Interactions, ACCP Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, (2009).

Teaching

• Pharmacy Therapeutics (SPPS 212B).
• Drug Discovery, Development, & Commercialization (SPPS273/BIOM267 /PHARM210/MGT217250).
• Pharmacy Practice (SPPS 201, 202, 203).

Key Contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Evaluated accuracy and validity of in vivo cytochrome P450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein phenotyping methods and probe drugs.
• Established novel course elective for pharmacy, medical, graduate, and business students encompassing areas of drug discovery, development, and commercialization.
• Clinical research in in vivo phenotyping studies, methodology evaluation, and utility of limited sampling strategies.

Selected Recent Publications (from 12 peer-reviewed articles)

Ma et al. (2004). Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzymes and the effect on interindividual, pharmacokinetic variability in extensive metabolizers. J Clin Pharmacol 44:447-456

Ma et al. (2006). Duration of pleconaril effect on cytochrome P450 3A activity in healthy adults using the oral biomarker midazolam. Drug Metab Dispos 34:783-785.

Ma et al. (2008). Quantitative assessment of hepatic blood flow using intravenous indocyanine green. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 64:1133-1134.

Ma et al. (2009). Effect of intravenous flumazenil on oral midazolam pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for use as a cytochrome P450 3A probe. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 47:111-119.

Ma JD et al. (2010). Evaluation of in vivo P- glycoprotein probes: A need for validation. Clin Pharmacokinet. 49:223-37

Potential Collaborative Programs with the Pharmaceutical Industry

• Experience in private and public sector in clinical trial operations, management, and execution.
• Experience in Proof of concept, phase I (FIH), and drug-drug interaction studies.
• Developing novel teaching methods for health care professionals encompassing areas of drug discovery, development, and commercialization.