Dr. Eva Choong | Analytical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

CHUV – Hôpital Universitaire, Switzerland

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Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Eva Choong began her academic journey at the University of Lausanne, where she earned her Swiss Federal Diploma in Pharmacy from the Lausanne School of Pharmacy, Department of Sciences (1997–2002). Her interest in the interplay between pharmacology and patient care led her to pursue a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Geneva (2006–2011), with a thesis on “Clinical and pharmacogenetic studies on response and side effects of psychotropic drugs.” Supervised by Prof. C.B. Eap and co-supervised by Prof. J-L. Veuthey, her doctoral work was honored with highest distinctions, showcasing her early dedication to clinical research and analytical chemistry.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Choong’s post-doctoral career commenced at the Pharmacogenetics Unit within the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (2011–2014), where she explored the genetic basis of drug metabolism. From 2015 to mid-2016, she held the role of Senior Scientist (Maître-Assistante) at the University of Geneva’s Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Research Platform, working with Prof. M. Ansari. Since August 2016, she has served as Laboratory Deputy and Scientific Expert in the Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology at CHUV (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois), under the leadership of Prof. L.A. Decosterd, contributing to both operational oversight and high-impact research.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Choong has made significant contributions to the field of clinical pharmacology, with particular emphasis on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), analytical method development, and pharmacogenetics. Her research focuses on optimizing drug therapies for various conditions, notably in infectious diseases and cystic fibrosis, by measuring drug concentrations in biological matrices using LC-MS/MS methods validated to ISO15189:2022 standards. At CHUV, her laboratory is responsible for monitoring over 130 drugs for clinical application and research across Swiss university hospitals.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Choong’s work has had a lasting impact in bridging the gap between clinical pharmacology and personalized medicine. Her role in developing mass spectrometry-based drug monitoring protocols has influenced treatment paradigms for cystic fibrosis and HIV. She is also a key contributor to collaborative projects such as the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, and has worked with major pharmaceutical entities like Incyte Biosciences to ensure external quality controls in TDM assays. Her expertise is widely recognized within the Swiss medical research community.

Academic Citations and Recognitions

Dr. Choong is the recipient of several prestigious grants and awards, including: Principal Investigator, Cystic Fibrosis Switzerland Foundation Grant (2022, 30,000 CHF); Partner, Swiss National Science Foundation Grant (2022, 643,365 CHF); Lead recipient, Incyte Biosciences grant (2019–2021, 80,000 CHF); Awardee, Lundbeck Institute Prize in Psychiatry (2014); Grantee, NCCR Synapsys (2013); and recipient of two Early Postdoc.Mobility fellowships (2012 & 2013, combined over 65,000 CHF). These accolades attest to her scientific excellence, thought leadership, and the high citation value of her research in peer-reviewed domains.

Technical Skills

Dr. Choong is proficient in a range of analytical and clinical methodologies, including: LC-MS and LC-MS/MS in ISO15189-accredited environments; validation of bioanalytical methods for therapeutic monitoring; pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics analysis; biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, and regulatory compliance under Swissethics. Her training includes completion of management programs for medical professionals, allowing her to seamlessly integrate leadership and science in hospital and academic settings.

Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Throughout her career, Dr. Choong has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring junior researchers and medical professionals. Her involvement in training programs, supervision of postgraduates, and contribution to interdisciplinary education at CHUV and the University of Geneva underscores her dedication to the academic and clinical advancement of future professionals in pharmacology and biomedicine.

Legacy and Future Contributions

With a career rooted in precision medicine, analytical innovation, and translational research, Dr. Choong continues to play a central role in transforming clinical pharmacology in Switzerland. Her ongoing projects aim to expand the utility of mass spectrometry for real-time therapeutic monitoring, develop novel biomarkers, and refine treatment regimens for complex patient populations such as those affected by cystic fibrosis and HIV. As a respected scientific leader, her legacy will be marked by both the technical excellence of her lab and her unwavering commitment to patient-centered innovation.

Notable Publications

A Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Quantification of Cystic Fibrosis Drugs (Caftors) in Plasma and Its Application for Therapeutic Monitoring
Authors: Valentina D’Atri, Fabrizio Corrado, François Versace, Susana Alves Saldanha, Thomas Mercier, Guidi Monia, Paul Thoueille, Sylvain Blanchon, Angela Koutsokera, Michael Vogeser et al.
Journal: Molecules
Year: 2025

Population Pharmacokinetics of Cabotegravir Following Oral Administration and Long-Acting Intramuscular Injection in Real-World People with HIV
Authors: Thoueille P., Saldanha S.A., Schaller F., Choong E., Veuve F., Munting A., Cavassini M., Braun D., Günthard H.F., Duran Ramirez J.J. et al.
Journal: Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Year: 2024

Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) Methods for the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Cytotoxic Anticancer Drugs: An Update
Authors: Briki M., Murisier A., Guidi M., Seydoux C., Buclin T., Marzolini C., Girardin F.R., Thoma Y., Carrara S., Choong E. et al.
Journal: Journal of Chromatography B
Year: 2024

Real-World Trough Concentrations and Effectiveness of Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Switzerland
Authors: Thoueille P., Saldanha S.A., Schaller F., Choong E., Munting A., Cavassini M., Braun D., Günthard H.F., Kusejko K., Surial B. et al.
Journal: The Lancet Regional Health – Europe
Year: 2024

Development and Validation of a Multiplex HPLC-MS/MS Assay for the Monitoring of JAK Inhibitors in Patient Plasma
Authors: Tachet J., Versace F., Mercier T., Buclin T., Decosterd L.A., Choong E., Girardin F.R.
Journal: Journal of Chromatography B
Year: 2023