2nd year MET doctoral student Abby Veeser (lab of Heather Barkholtz) spoke to MET program manager Ezra Mauk about her research and experience in the MET program.
| Describe your educational background prior to joining the MET program. | |
| I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science and Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and a master’s degree in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven. | |
| What attracted you to the MET program? | |
| I was attracted to the MET program because of its strong academic reputation and the opportunity to work with professors whose research aligns closely with my own interests in forensic and biochemistry. The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a collaborative and research-driven environment that encourages both technical skill development and critical thinking. I am particularly drawn to the diverse range of research topics within the MET program, which provide the chance to apply scientific principles to real-world problems. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on hands-on experience and interdisciplinary learning makes it an ideal fit for my academic background and professional goals. | |
| Describe the focus of your thesis research project. | |
| My thesis research focuses on improving the detection of drug metabolites in urine by evaluating enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. Specifically, the project investigates how effectively the commercial enzyme B-One can hydrolyze glucuronide-conjugated metabolites of opioids, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids, compounds that commonly undergo glucuronidation during metabolism. To assess this, a master mix containing glucuronide drug standards was prepared and used in both blank (drug-free) and non-fatal overdose (NFOD) urine samples at biologically relevant concentrations. The samples were then treated with the enzyme and analyzed using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF) to quantify conversion to the corresponding free drug forms. The goal of this work is to evaluate enzyme performance and provide insights that can enhance method development for clinical and forensic toxicology applications. | |
| What do you consider as your most interesting or exciting finding to date? | |
| One of the most interesting findings from my research so far is observing the variability in hydrolysis efficiency of the B-One enzyme across different glucuronidated drug analytes. While some metabolites were efficiently converted to their free drug forms, others showed partial or slower hydrolysis, highlighting how enzyme performance can differ depending on the chemical structure of the conjugate. This finding is particularly exciting because it not only informs the selection and optimization of enzymatic methods for urine drug testing but also has real-world implications for improving detection in clinical and forensic toxicology cases. | |
| Currently, what are your postgraduation career goals/plans? | |
| My postgraduate career goals include working in a forensic crime lab, a research-focused institution, or public health laboratories. Looking further ahead, I aim to pursue a career in academia, where I can lead my own research-focused laboratory. | |
| Looking back, what advice would you give to a student who just started graduate school? | |
| Looking back, the advice I would give to a student just starting graduate school is to stay curious and proactive, ask questions, seek out opportunities, and don’t be afraid to explore different areas within your field. Time management and organization are crucial, as balancing coursework, research, and professional development can quickly become overwhelming. Build strong relationships with your mentors and peers, as their guidance and support will be invaluable. Finally, embrace challenges and setbacks as learning opportunities, they are a natural part of the graduate experience and often lead to growth and discovery within yourself. | |