Person, Maria D., Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Director, CRED Analytical Facility Core
PHR 3.206A
512-471-3659
mperson@mail.utexas.edu

BA Chemistry 1986, Carleton College
PhD Chemistry 1991, University of Chicago

Application of mass spectrometry to the study of proteins and other biomolecules advancing analytical methods and collaborating in research projects with multiple research groups in the College of Pharmacy, ICMB, and CRED members in MD Anderson Cancer Center in Science Park and Houston.  Recent publications have successfully utilized protein identification in differential protein profiling experiments to understand the mechanism of carcinogenesis in transgenic mice.  Peptide fragmentation by tandem MS is used to identify post-translational modifications such as methylation, phosphorylation as well as inhibitor binding and cross-linking sites, with protocol enhancement in the area of phosphopeptide enrichment.  A new area of research is investigating stable isotope labeling for quantitative analysis.  Another research focus utilizes a triple quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometer to quantitate metabolites and other small biomolecules.  We are developing reproducible methods for compound extraction from serum and tissue samples and optimizing HPLC and MRM methods for the highest sensitivity.  This work is in collaboration with CRED labs for understanding mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and the links between nutrition, genetic risk factors and specific subtypes of cancer.