Stephanie Chin is the Molecular Pharmacology Highlighted Trainee Author for the August 2018 issue. Dr. Chin is with the Department of Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto. The Molecular Pharmacology article that earned her selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Lipophilicity of the Cystic Fibrosis drug, Ivacaftor, and its destabilizing effect on the major CF-causing mutation: F508del” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.118.112177.

Dr. Chin’s area of research is in biochemistry. Specifically, she is investigating structural and functional changes in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) that involve its interaction with the plasma membrane.

The anticipated impact of Dr. Chin’s current research is to uncover the mechanism underlying the previously reported destabilizing effect of micromolar concentrations of ivacaftor on the major mutation causing cystic fibrosis: F508del. In this study, the authors found that ivacaftor unfolded the mutant protein and that this effect was related to its lipophilicity. This result highlights the need to monitor patients taking this drug continuously over their lifetime for any off-target effects. This study will also guide future drug discovery efforts to develop less lipophilic yet effective potentiator compounds for F508del patients.

When not in the lab, Stephanie engages in sport-inspired cardio workouts and yoga. She enjoys watching NBA basketball. Traveling is also of great interest to Stephanie.