A Conversation with Aiming Yu, PhD
Dr. Aiming Yu is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine at University of California-Davis and directs the Molecular Pharmacology and Chemical Biology Shared Resources at the Cancer Center. He currently serves as a Councilor-elect and member of the Publications Committee for ASPET, following his past services as a Councilor (2010–2014), Communication Officer (2014–2015), Chair of the Division for Drug Metabolism and Disposition (2018–2021), as well as a member of the ASPET Program Committee (2019–2022). He has been an Associate Editor of Drug Metabolism and Disposition since 2018.
How did you get started in pharmacology?
My interest in pharmacology began while I was in graduate school. In particular, I was fascinated by the impact of drug metabolism and disposition, including those involving cytochrome P450 enzymes, on overall drug exposure and efficacy during my coursework and dissertation research. That motivated me to pursue postdoctoral research in pharmacology with Drs. Robert Haining and Frank Gonzalez, investigating the function and regulation of various P450 enzymes through the development and application of recombinant enzymes and genetically engineered mouse models. My background in organic and analytical chemistry provided me with a strong foundation, and I am truly grateful for the opportunities to transit from pure chemistry to pharmacology. Since then, I have continued my research in pharmacology, studying the mechanisms behind interindividual variations in pharmacokinetics and drug responses and developing new therapeutics.
How did you first get involved with ASPET?
My first postdoctoral research findings were published in the ASPET journal, Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMD). Much of my following work was also published in DMD and other ASPET journals. The first ASPET/EB meeting I attended was the one held in Washington DC in 2004 while I was a research fellow at the NIH. After I joined in SUNY-Buffalo as an Assistant Professor in 2004, I began to get more involved with ASPET by serving the Division for Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMDD) and the Upstate New York Pharmacology Society (NYPS), a regional scientific and educational chapter of ASPET. Since moving to UC Davis in 2013, I have increased my involvement with ASPET, including serving as an Associate Editor of DMD. I am very proud that, except for the newly established ASPET Discovery, I have published with all of ASPET’s journals.
What do you want the ASPET membership to know about you and your ideas on how to move the organization forward during your term?
I will work with the ASPET Council, management team, staff, and members to advocate the discipline of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics; enhance members’ experiences and interactions; and achieve the goals of ASPET. I am dedicated to promoting the recognition of seminal and impactful pharmacological discoveries and fostering the next generation of pharmacologists, scientists, educators, and innovators. I am also hoping to identify new opportunities to facilitate professional development of ASPET members at various stages, such as publishing with ASPET journals, presenting and networking at the annual meetings, and increasing interaction with relevant scientific societies.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in your career so far?
My proudest research accomplishments include:
- Discovery of the CYP2D6-catalyzed production of serotonin from 5-methoxytryptamine that leads to the “serotonin-melatonin cycle” hypothesis
- Identification of new posttranscriptional gene regulation mechanisms in drug metabolism fields
- Development of a patented RNA technology enabling high-yield in-vivo production of one-of-a-kind RNA molecules for basic research and drug development
A major reason I am so proud of these research accomplishments is that they also heavily involved mentoring students and trainees. I am proud to have been involved in the careers of my former students and trainees around the world, among them three full professors, more than nine associate professors, and many others involved otherwise in the pharmaceutical industry or federal agencies, including the FDA.
In addition, I am very proud of my previous and current volunteer roles with ASPET.
What advice would you give young scientists who are just starting out in their careers?
I benefited from a number of things I learned over the course of my career that I would like to share with young scientists.
First, focus on your goal and keep your passion. Things may change, and there are always ups and downs in life. Do not be discouraged or distracted. Remain positive to accomplish your goals and approach things one at a time.
The second is to prioritize well and be intentional with your actions. “Planning without action is useless.”
Third is to spend your time around the right group of people, especially your institutional and society colleagues. Work with them, learn from them, and make your contributions.
Last is to balance and improve your work life by nurturing and enjoying your hobbies outside of work. In the end, we all desire and deserve a healthy and happy life.
