Erin Berthold is the Drug Metabolism and Disposition Highlighted Trainee Author for the February 2022 issue. She is currently in her final year as a PhD candidate at the University of Florida’s College of Pharmacy. Her mentor is Dr. Abhisheak Sharma. The DMD article that earned her the title of Highlighted Trainee Author is “The Lack of Contribution of 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the Antinociceptive Effects of Mitragynine in Mice: A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/dmd.121.000640.
Ms. Berthold’s dissertation focuses on the interaction potential of the major kratom alkaloid, mitragynine, and the major cannabinoid, cannabidiol. She looks to leverage the individual properties of each compound to develop a more readily accessible solution for individuals suffering from substance use disorders.
The anticipated impact of this work will be to better understand the risks and prospective benefits of these commonly used natural products in combination by combining preclinical in vivo and in vitro data with translational physiological-based pharmacokinetic models.
When not working in the lab, Erin enjoys yoga, dancing, and spending time at the ocean.