Faculty Highlight: Yue-Qiao (George) Huang, BSC, PhD

October 30, 2018

This month's faculty highlight features Yue-Qiao (George) Huang, BSC, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Why did you choose a career in pharmacy education?

From very early on, I wanted to be a teacher/educator. In my life I had teachers to learn from, teachers I admired and teachers that I wanted to be like. I have realized that sharing my knowledge and skills with learners makes me more mindful of the meaning in my everyday life and working with student pharmacists pushes me to be my best. I have discovered great joy in the natural relationships that develop in academic pharmacy, both as a mentee and a mentor.

What is your research interest?

Currently we are working on the pharmacogenomics of cancer drugs. The application of pharmacogenomics in cancer drugs is in the discovery of biomarkers that guide drug selection, predict drug toxicities, screen and detect high-risk patients and target the mechanisms of drug resistance. Integration of pharmacogenomics in cancer therapy can offer the ability to maximize therapy while decreasing chances of adverse drug reactions in patients.

What advice do you have for a person considering a career in pharmacy?

Plan and prepare early. Succeed in pre-pharmacy courses. Visit pharmacy schools. Get more pharmacy experience. Volunteer in a healthcare setting. Cultivate interpersonal skills, learning skills and time management skills.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Vanilla butterscotch.