About
Dr. Chouinard received bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then pursued doctoral studies at University of Florida under world renowned mass spectrometrist Rick Yost, and was responsible for integrating drift tube-ion mobility spectrometry (DTIMS) into the Yost lab. His interests at UF involved IM-MS studies of clinical molecules (steroids, Vitamin D metabolites) and he also received grant funding through the Partnership for Clean Competition to develop novel IM-MS methods for improved identification of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes. He then took part in a prestigious post-doctoral position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, WA. While working with Dick Smith, another world leader in mass spectrometry, Dr. Chouinard designed and developed a Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) platform that enabled the first integration of LC into the SLIM IM-MS pipeline for improved analysis in phosphoproteomics. He began his independent career as an Assistant Professor at Florida Institute of Technology in 2018 before moving to Clemson University in August 2022. Work in his research research group focuses on ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS)-based methods and technology, including structurally selective reactions for improved characterization of steroids and other controlled substances.
Visit Dr. Chouinard's Faculty Profile.
How their research is transforming health care
Mass spectrometry-based techniques have become the gold-standard in biomedical and clinical analysis. Nevertheless, many challenges remain and there is a critical need to continue developing new methods and technology to improve public health. The research in my group focuses on innovative ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) geared towards health care applications, including for the analysis of small biomolecules (endocrine hormones, androgens, etc.) and illicit drugs (fentanyl, xylazine, etc.). This technology is imminently applicable to the clinical field, where our group has made significant strides in rapid and confident identification/quantification of these substances in a variety of biological samples. Our research is transforming health care by providing next-generation methods for clinicians and physicians to make better patient health decisions.
Health research keywords
Mass Spectrometry, Steroids, Illicit Drugs, Clinica
News and related media
How Three Clemson Scientists are unlocking the healing power of chemistry
Pushing the Limits of Small molecule structural characterization with high resolution ion mobility
