Dr. Victor M. Jimenez Jr. is The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author for the April 2021 issue. He is a post-doctoral trainee in the Pharmacology Department at UT Health Science Center, San Antonio. His mentor is Dr. Charles P. France. The JPET article that earned him selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Methocinnamox Reverses and Prevents Fentanyl-Induced Ventilatory Depression in Rats” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.120.000387.
Dr. Jimenez received a doctorate degree in biology at Northern Arizona University; his research investigated alcohol use disorder and the effects on innate immunity within the lung-gut-brain axis. However, as a T32 postdoctoral fellow in the Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence program, he expanded his research expertise beyond immunology and alcoholism by studying behavioral pharmacology of other commonly abused drugs such as opioids. One aspect of his current research investigates opioid overdose for the purposes of ultimately providing a more effective medication.
To address this problem, Dr. Jimenez’s research focuses on the therapeutic potential of methocinnamox (MCAM), a long-lasting opioid receptor antagonist, for treating opioid overdose and opioid use disorder. The unique properties of MCAM and very long duration of action will protect individuals after rescue from overdose, wherein the first few days to a month after rescue are critical to prevent fatal opioid overdose, including toxicity from fentanyl and related potent analogs.
The anticipated impact of Dr. Jimenez's current research is that MCAM can be made available to people as an effective alternative for treating opioid overdose and opioid use disorder. Considering the significant impact of providing long-lasting protection from a single injection, MCAM has the potential of improving many lives directly and indirectly suffering from opioid use disorder.
When not in the lab, Victor loves fishing, reading science-fiction novels, and spending time with his family.