Dr. McKenzie leads the LabCorp global Drug Metabolism and Crop Protection & Chemical group spanning 9 facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. This group provides solutions to pharmaceutical, crop protection and chemical companies throughout the world. Don has the honor of leading more than 500 colleagues worldwide in designing and delivering experimental solutions to help understand the disposition of molecules in biological systems and the environment.
Don received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Michigan focusing on the synthesis and characterization of poly-peptides for non-viral gene delivery. He joined Pfizer Global Research & Development in 2000 and over the next 7 years assumed roles with increasing responsibilities; including leadership of the Molecular Metabolism group in Ann Arbor, MI. He migrated to Schering-Plough in 2007 where he managed the Discovery Metabolite Identification group in Kenilworth, NJ. He focused this group to understand the biotransformation of lead molecules and the broader relationship to understanding drug disposition.
Don joined Covance Laboratories in 2009 leading the Biotransformation group within North American Drug Metabolism. The US and UK based groups were combined into the global organization under his leadership in 2014. He was appointed to his current role in 2022.
Don’s scientific interests include utilization of micro-physiological systems in drug discovery, application of biotransformation to understanding drug disposition, the utilization of mass spectrometry in drug discovery and non-viral gene delivery. Outside of work he is a private pilot and enjoys exploring small airports throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Areas of Support: Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Drug Metabolism, Mass Spectrometry
Memberships: ACS, ISSX
Publications:
1. Chung JI, El-Kattan A, McKenzie DL, Ware JA, and Koup JR. “Population Model for the Pharmacokinetics of a Series of Compounds in Human and Monkey.” (In preparation).
2. Kwok K., Park Y, Yang Y, McKenzie DL, Liu Y, and Rice KG. (2003) “In Vivo Gene Transfer using Sulfhydryl Cross-linked PEG-peptide/Glycopeptide DNA Co-Condensates.” J. Pharm. Sci. 92(6), 1174-1185.
3. Ramanathan R, McKenzie DL, Tugnait M, and Siebenaler K. (2002) “Application of Semi-automated Metabolite Identification Software in the Drug Discovery Process for Rapid Identification of Metabolites and the Cytochrome P450 Enzymes Responsible for Their Formation.” J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 28(5), 994-951.
4. McKenzie DL, Kwok KY, Smiley B, and Rice KG. (2000) “Low Molecular Weight Disulfide Cross-linking Peptides as Nonviral Gene Delivery Carriers.” Bioconj. Chem., 11, 901-909.
5. McKenzie DL, Kwok KY, and Rice KG. (2000) “A Potent New Class of Reductively Activated Peptide Gene Delivery Agents.” J. Biol. Chem., 275(14), 9970-9977.
6. Collard WT, Evers DL, McKenzie DL, and Rice KG. (2000) “Synthesis of Homogeneous Glycopeptides and Their Utility as DNA Condensing Agents.” Carb. Res., 323, 176-184.
7. McKenzie DL, Collard WT, and Rice KG. (1999) “Comparative Gene Transfer Efficiency of Low Molecular Weight Polylysine DNA-Condensing Peptides.” J. Peptide Res., 54, 311-318.
8. Kwok KY, McKenzie DL, and Rice KG. (1999) “Formulation of Highly Soluble Poly(ethylene glycol)-Peptide DNA Condensates.” J. Pharm. Sci., 88, 996-1003.
9. Wadwha MS, Collard WT, Adami RC, McKenzie DL, and Rice KG. (1997) “Peptide-Mediated Gene Delivery: Influence of Peptide Structure on Gene Expression.” Bioconj. Chem., 8, 81-88.
1. James A, McKenzie DL, Simmons D. (2007) “High Resolution MALDI MSI Analysis of Diazepam in Sagittal Rat Brain Sections.” ASMS Sanibel Conference on Mass Spectrometry: Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Sanibel Island, FL.
2. James A, McKenzie DL. (2007) “Multiplexing MALDI MSI Using Dynamic Pixel Imaging: Analysis of Diazepam and its Two Major Metabolites in Rat.” ASMS Sanibel Conference on Mass Spectrometry: Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Sanibel Island, FL.
3. Lapham K, Payne NA, Zhang Y, McKenzie DL, Ackermann C, (2007) “MALDI Imaging of PF-03671148 in Skin Following Intradermal Administration.” ASMS Sanibel Conference on Mass Spectrometry: Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Sanibel Island, FL.
4. McKenzie DL, Bi H, and Ramanathan R. (2001) “Rapid Identification of Metabolites in Drug Discovery: Comparison of the Finnigan LCQ-Deca and Sciex API 3000 and Semi-automated Metabolite Identification Software.” 49th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Chicago, IL.
5. Ramanathan R, McKenzie DL, Tugnait M, and Siebenaler K. (2001) “Application of Semi-automated Metabolite Identification Software in the Drug Discovery Process for Rapid Identification of Metabolites and the CYP450 Enzymes Responsible for their Formation” 49th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Chicago, IL.
6. McKenzie DL, Kwok K, and Rice KG. (2000) “Self cross-linking Peptides: Potent New Agents for Gene Delivery.” 219th ACS National Convention, San Francisco, CA.
7. McKenzie DL, Kwok K, and Rice KG. (1999) “Synthesis, characterization, and testing of Self Cross-Linking Peptides for Gene Delivery.” 32nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Symposium in Medicinal Chemistry, Buffalo, NY.
8. McKenzie DL, Collard WT, and Rice KG. (1998) “Synthesis and Testing of Small Heterodimeric Peptides to Facilitate Gene Transfection.” 31st Annual Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Symposium in Medicinal Chemistry, West Lafayette, IN.
9. McKenzie DL. (1998) “Synthesis of Small Heterodimeric Peptides to Facilitate Gene Transfection.” 18th Annual Pharmacological Sciences Training Grant Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
10. McKenzie DL, Wadwha MS, Collard WT, Adami RC, and Rice KG. (1997) “Synthesis and Properties of Small Cationic Peptides on In Vitro Gene Transfection.”