Bioanalysis Young Investigator: Matthew Blatnik

Abstract

Supervisor’s supporting comments As a young scientist in Pfizer’s Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism Group, Matt Blatnik has demonstrated significant scientific and analytical acumen with consistent impact on biomarker research programs to drive portfolio decisions. He has continuously increased his capabilities and knowledge in state-of-the-art LC–MS techniques and ligand-binding applications to devise bioanalytical strategies for the exploration of mechanism-based biomarker projects in metabolic-, cardiovascular- and neuroscience-related projects. Matt consistently uses his deep biochemical knowledge to inform his laboratory science, which has helped him resolve key translational issues with biomarkers in disease pathways and therapeutic programs. He exhibits a high level of scientific curiosity and routinely challenges scientific dogma, which allows him to develop and test alternative scientific explanations for laboratory observations without bias to the conventional explanations. Conformational structural considerations for the peptide hormone biomarkers, such as Ghrelin and GLP-1, are key examples of this characteristic. Matt has quickly developed the capability to present and publish his work, as demonstrated by a number of peer-reviewed articles and through outreach and influence at national conferences and scientific leadership with the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) as a session chair and interest group coordinator (2011 and 2012). Matt demonstrates his passion for science by routinely coaching junior scientists, driving scientific initiatives through these interactions and participating at a high level with internal scientific presentations, platform assessments and discipline scientific strategies. Taken as a whole, Matt has exhibited a very high level of scientific acumen, curiosity and accomplishments and I fully support his nomination for the Bioanalysis Young Investigator Award.