1. t*#DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
July 7,2006
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written in support of Maria Esther Rodriguez-Rosas, MS, PhD. I first met Dr.
Rodriguez in 2001 when she joined the Bioanalytical Chemistry and Drug Discovery Section in
the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation at the National Institute on Aging. She joined the group
of Prof. Irving W. Wainer, who leads that section.
From the time she joined us, Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas has been an outstanding analytical chemist and
she has further developed those skills during the past 5 years. She has developed analytical
methods for the measurement of methadone enantiomers and ketamine enantiomers in human
body fluids and used these methods to support clinical studies that incorporated study of the
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs. In addition, Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas
modified and implemented already published assays for the measurement of atropine and
propranolol to support another clinical study. These methods require a diverse amay of analytical
separation and detection methods, and Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas has proven very skilled. These
efforts have led to the publication of 4 papers in outstanding peer-reviewed journals, with one
manuscript submitted for publication and 2 more in preparation. In addition Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas
has effectively represented the laboratory at many national and international meetings, having
presented l2 papers at such meetings over the past 5 years.
As impressive as this level of productivity is, perhaps Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas' strongest attribute is
her ability to work collegially in a team setting, where she is a consistent positive force in moving
projects forward. This is done in a pleasant but persistent manner, making a work environment
that is effective and a good experience for all involved. Much of this is also due tb her capacity
for hard work and willingness to assist others with particularly difficult analytical problems.
Of note, Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas recently added significantly to her skill set by completion of the
Graduate Certificate Program in Leadership and Management in Life Sciences from the Johns
Hopkins University. She was near the top of her class in this program, and it provided training
directly applicable to laboratory management and administration.
I commend Dr. Rodriguez-Rosas to you without reservation and with great enthusiasm. She will
be an important asset to the work environment to which she chooses to move.
Darrell R. Aberi PhD
Chief, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation
National Institute on Aging
Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) and Pharmacology and Molecular science
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Email : abemethyd@grc.nia.nih. gov
National Institute on Aging
Gerontology Research Center
5600 Nathan Shock Drive - Box29
Baltimore, Maryland 21224-6825
{ffi} Voice : 410-558-861 I Fax:410-558-8318