Dr. Jennifer Le: Infectious Diseases

Research Summary: Infectious Diseases

Dr. Jennifer Le’s primary research interests encompass the safe use of antimicrobial agents, their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and outcomes associated with resistant infections in neonatal and pediatric populations. As a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist in infectious diseases, Dr. Le maintains a clinical practice site at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital.

Some of her current research projects include: nephrotoxicity associated with vancomycin in children; optimizing outcomes of Gram-negative infections; complications associated with S. aureus bacteremia in children; effects of delayed initiation of antifungal therapy in critically-ill infants with candidemia; and complications associated with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Academic Achievements

Education: B.S. in Biology (1995) UCLA; Pharm.D.
(2000) UCSF; ASHP-accredited Residency in Pharmacy Practice (2001) Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital; Board certification in pharmaceutical sciences with added qualification in infectious diseases (2007) (BCPS-ID); APhA-certified in pharmacy-based immunization delivery (2008).

Awards and Honors: K23 Award from NIAID (2010- 2015); New Investigator Award from ACCP (2007); Faculty Service of the Year Award at Western Univ. (2009); member of Rho Chi Honor Society.

Leadership Experience: Secretary/Treasurer for the Infectious Diseases Practice and Research Network of ACCP; Editorial Advisory Board Member for the CSHP’s Journal.

Teaching

• Intro to Clinical Pharmacokinetics (SPPS 212A).
• Digoxin Pharmacokinetics (SPPS 212B).
• Anticonvulsants Pharmacokinetics (SPPS 212C).
• Co-Chair Pharmacy Therapeutics (SPSS 212C).

Key Contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Effective use of antimicrobial medications in pediatric and adult hospitalized patients.
• Participate in antimicrobial stewardship programs at Miller Children’s Hospital and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
• Clinical research in antimicrobial medication utilization in the inpatient settings

Selected Recent Publications (from 26 peer-reviewed articles)

Le et al. (2004). Urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Ann of Pharmacotherapy 38:1692-1701.

Le et al. (2005).Therapeutic management of bronchitis. American J of Managed Care 5:S3-10.

Le et al. (2006). Adverse drug reactions in pediatrics over a 10-year period. Pediatrics 118:555-62.

Le et al. (2006). Management of community- associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections in children. Pharmacotherapy 26:1758-70.

Le et al. (2008). Impact of empiric antibiotic use on the development of infections caused by extended- spectrum beta-lactamase bacterial pathogens in the neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal 27:314-318.

Le et al. (2009). Nephrotoxicity associated with conventional amphotericin B in neonates. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal 28:1061-1063

Le et al. (2010). Clonal Dissemination of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase KPC-3 in Long Beach, California. J Clin Microbiol 48:623-5

Le et al. (2010). Insights from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacist: Consensus Review of Aerosolized Antimicrobial Agents Using Evidence- based Pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy 30:562- 584.

Potential Collaborative Programs with the Pharmaceutical Industry

• Identify opportunities for research surrounding optimal antimicrobial use and dosing in patients, especially children, with resistant infections
• Develop service interventions and novel practice models that will improve utilization of antimicrobial medications in hospitalized patients