About

Jennifer Le, PharmD, MAS, FIDSA, FCCP, FCSHP, is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego. She serves as the Director of the Center on International Pharmacy Education and Research (CIPER) and the Director of Experiential Education in Los Angeles-Orange County. Her research primarily focuses on pediatric infectious diseases and clinical pharmacology, with an emphasis on the appropriate and safe use of antibiotics and antifungal agents, pharmacokinetics, and outcomes related to resistant infections in pediatric populations from infancy through adolescence. Dr. Le has contributed significantly to the field through her involvement in clinical pharmacy services, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling, and the development of guidelines for antimicrobial use in children. She has published over 135 articles and is a key contributor to the current vancomycin guidelines endorsed by major infectious disease and pharmacy societies. Her work extends globally through humanitarian efforts in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Jordan, aiming to improve pediatric health and wellness worldwide.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Internal medicine
• Engineering
• Intensive care medicine
• Biology
• Medicine

Selected publications

• Model-Informed Precision Dosing: Conceptual Framework for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Integrating Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Within Population Health Informatics

  Journal of Personalized Medicine · 2026-01-31 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background/Objective: Traditional therapeutic drug monitoring is limited by manual interpretation and specific constraints like sampling at steady-state and requiring a minimum of two drug concentrations. The integration of model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) into population health informatics represents a promising approach to address drug safety and efficacy. This article explored the integration of MIPD within population health informatics and evaluated its potential to enhance precision dosing using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and electronic health records (EHRs). Methods: PubMed and Embase searches were conducted, and all relevant peer-reviewed studies in English published between 1958 and December 2024 were included if they pertained to MIPD and population-level health, with the use of AI/ML algorithms to predict individualized drug dosing requirements. Emphasis was placed on vulnerable populations such as critically-ill, geriatric, and pediatric groups. Results: MIPD with the Bayesian method represents a scalable innovation in precision medicine, with significant implications for population health informatics. By combining AI/ML with comprehensive electronic health records (EHRs), MIPD can offer real-time, precise dosing adjustments. This integration has the potential to improve patient safety, optimize therapeutic outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs, especially for vulnerable populations where evidence is limited. Successful implementation requires collaboration among clinicians, pharmacists, and health informatics professionals, alongside secure data management and interoperability solutions. Conclusions: Further research is needed to define, implement, and evaluate practical applications of AI/ML. This insight may help develop standards and identify drugs for MIPD to advance personalized medicine within population health informatics.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• SAT-393 Physiology Of A Thyroidally-Derived T3-Centric Hormonal Environment

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Disclosure: C.E. Citterio: None. B. Morales-Rodriguez: None. X. Liao: None. C. Vu: None. R. Nguyen: None. J. Tsai: None. J. Le: None. I. Metawea: None. M. Liu: None. D.P. Olson: None. S. Refetoff: None. P. Arvan: None. Thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) are indispensable for sustaining vertebrate life, and their deficiency gives rise to a wide range of symptoms characteristic of hypothyroidism, affecting 5-10% of the world’s population. T3 and T4 may make distinct contributions to the physiology of different organ systems, and a subset of hypothyroid patients treated with T4 do not fully normalize their symptoms despite achieving normal TSH levels. The precursor for thyroid hormone synthesis is thyroglobulin (Tg), consisting of upstream regions I-II-III (responsible for synthesis of most T4) and the C-terminal CholinEsterase-Like (ChEL) domain (responsible for synthesis of most T3, which can also be generated extrathyroidally by T4 deiodination). Genetically-engineered mice with a thyroid gland designed for disproportionate T3 generation from the T3-forming ChEL domain of Tg, named ChEL-KI, are capable of thyroidal T3 synthesis but largely incompetent for T4 synthesis such that T4-to-T3 conversion contributes little. We have examined the physiology of a thyroidally-derived T3-centric hormonal environment. Compared to cog/cog mice with conventional hypothyroidism (low serum T4and T3), body size was greater in ChEL-KI mice; although these animals with profound T4 deficiency, despite normal circulating T3 levels, did exhibit a marked elevation of serum TSH and developed a large goiter. ChEL-KI mice exhibited normal expression of the hepatic markers of thyroid hormone action ME1 and D1, indicating that these markers do not require normal circulating levels of T4 but are supported by circulating levels of T3. In contrast with the liver, the CNS is thought to rely substantially on local T3 production from T4 via D2-mediated 5’-deiodination. We examined additional CNS functions that have been reported to be linked to phenotypes in hypothyroid rodents and humans. Both ChEL-KI and cog/cog mice exhibited similar behavioral abnormalities such as impaired motor activity and locomotion, as well as increased anxiety-like behavior compared to euthyroid controls. Thus, we conclude that normal circulating T3 cannot efficiently replace the role of T4 in supporting these behaviors that require local generation of T3 in the CNS. This work highlights tissue-specific differences in T3 versus T4 action, reflecting key considerations in hypothyroid patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Multicenter, Open-Label Study of Combined Poly-L-Lactic Acid and Hyaluronic Midface Filler Regimen Enhances Facial Harmony and Skin Quality in GLP-1 Medication Users

  Aesthetic Surgery Journal · 2025-11-14

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) can lead to facial volume loss, wrinkles, and sagging skin, resulting in an aged and gaunt appearance that negatively affects subject satisfaction and self-perception. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the treatment regimen of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA) and 2 hyaluronic acid midface fillers (HA-LYF, HA-CON) on restoring facial balance, correcting contour deficiencies, and improving skin quality in subjects who experienced weight loss from GLP-1 RA therapy. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label study enrolled 41 subjects with cheek wrinkles and midface contour deficiencies following GLP-1 RA-driven weight loss. Subjects received 2 to 3 treatment sessions of PLLA-SCA and 1 to 2 treatment sessions of HA-LYF or HA-CON, with follow-ups through 9 months since the last PLLA-SCA treatment. Efficacy evaluations included objective skin quality assessments using bioinstrumentation, improvements in facial contour deficiencies using standardized photography, and subject self-assessment questionnaires. Safety was also monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: The PLLA-SCA and HA-LYF or HA-CON treatment regimen significantly improved facial skin quality and enhanced contour in the cheek, jawline, and perioral areas, and demonstrated objective improvement in hydration and skin radiance. Additionally, subjects were satisfied with the treatment results, with no treatment-related adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: PLLA-SCA and HA-LYF or HA-CON provided effective, safe, and sustained improvements in facial balance, contour, and skin quality in subjects who experienced facial volume loss and ageing from weight loss following GLP-1 RA therapy.

  PublisherDOI

• C-ARM Guidance: A Self-Supervised Approach to Automated Positioning During Stroke Thrombectomy

  2025-04-14 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Thrombectomy is one of the most effective treatments for ischemic stroke, but it is resource and personnel-intensive. We propose employing deep learning to automate critical aspects of thrombectomy, thereby enhancing efficiency and safety. In this work, we introduce a self-supervised framework that classifies various skeletal landmarks using a regression-based pretext task. Our experiments demonstrate that our model outperforms existing methods in both regression and classification tasks. Notably, our results indicate that the positional pretext task significantly enhances downstream classification performance. Future work will focus on extending this framework toward fully autonomous C-arm control, aiming to optimize trajectories from the pelvis to the head during stroke thrombectomy procedures. All code used is available at https://github.com/AhmadArrabi/C_arm_guidance

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Dosing Recommendations for Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone in the Treatment of Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia Using Monte Carlo- and Physiologic-Based Pharmacokinetic Simulations

  The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics · 2025-06-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE Since 2011, Ampicillin (AMP) has been recommended as the parenteral antibiotic of choice for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), but ceftriaxone (CRO) is recommended for unvaccinated children and those with complicated CAP. Using penicillin and CRO susceptibility data for pneumococcus, we evaluated the adequacy of currently recommended doses of AMP and CRO. METHODS With nonlinear mixed-effects modeling v7.3, Monte Carlo simulations (MCS, N = 10,000) for AMP and CRO were conducted for 6 virtual patients aged 3 months, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years. PK-Sim v9.0 was used to develop physiologic-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for AMP (N = 4000) and CRO (N = 3000). The probability of target attainment (PTA) was determined for both serum and lung (epithelial lining fluid [ELF]) exposure to achieve free drug concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (% f T>MIC) for pneumococci at 30% to 50% of the dosing interval. RESULTS We performed simulations based on susceptibility data from 21 pneumococci isolated from children with CAP and found all 21 (100%) to be susceptible to AMP and CRO using Clinical & Laboratory Standard Institute/US Food and Drug Administration breakpoints, where susceptible, intermediate, and resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were ≤1, 2, and ≥4 mg/L for CRO and ≤2, 4, and ≥8 mg/L for AMP (extrapolated from penicillin), respectively (where intermediate and resistant were considered nonsusceptible); and 18 (85.7%) were susceptible to AMP, and 19 (90.5%) to CRO using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing/European Medicines Agency breakpoints, where susceptible and nonsusceptible strains were as follows: 0.5 and 2 mg/L for CRO and 0.5 and 1 mg/L for AMP. Both the serum and ELF, antibiotic regimens achieved >99% PTA at 30% to 50% f T>MIC using MCS and PBPK. CONCLUSION In the pneumococcal conjugate era, standard doses of AMP and CRO appear to provide the appropriate serum and ELF exposure for clinical and microbiologic success for >98% of children with pediatric CAP. The required dose to achieve the desired outcomes may change if beta-lactam resistance in pneumococcus increases.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Subtherapeutic Meropenem Antibiotic Exposure in Children With Septic Shock Assessed by Noncompartmental Pharmacokinetic Analysis in a Prospective Dataset

  Pediatric Critical Care Medicine · 2025-02-18 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVES: To define meropenem plasma concentrations and pharmacodynamic exposure metrics in children with septic shock during the first 3 days of PICU hospitalization. DESIGN: Pharmacokinetic sampling was undertaken in 19 subjects receiving standard meropenem dosing (20 mg/kg/dose, 8 hr) recruited from March 2019 to March 2022. Sampling occurred once each day following meropenem given 24 hours apart, during the first 3 PICU days. Data analysis was completed in 2023 and noncompartmental analysis was performed to assess pharmacodynamic exposure targets for sepsis. Clearance and volume of distribution at 20 mg/kg/dose were used to simulate mean exposures at 40 and 60 mg/kg/dose. SETTING: PICU in a tertiary care center. SUBJECTS: Patients 4 weeks old or older with hypotension requiring fluid resuscitation and vasopressor therapy, receiving meropenem as empiric therapy for sepsis. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Augmented renal clearance (ARC) was documented in eight of 19 subjects, previously associated with subtherapeutic plasma concentrations, while three of 19 had acute kidney injury and decreased renal clearance. When assessed by pharmacodynamic exposure targets for sepsis (plasma meropenem concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 70% or 100% of the dosing interval), ten of 19 and nine of 19 children, respectively, had subtherapeutic plasma meropenem exposures during PICU day 1, even for pathogens with an MIC considered "susceptible" by U.S. Food and Drug Administration criteria. Therapeutic meropenem pharmacodynamic exposures were associated with a positive 24-hour fluid balance on PICU day 1 and a negative 24-hour fluid balance by day 3, although profound variability was noted in fluid administered and renal output. CONCLUSIONS: Given the variability in meropenem systemic exposure in pediatric septic shock, therapeutic drug monitoring, or monitoring for ARC, is suggested during the first days of hospitalization to allow daily assessments of dosing needs to achieve pharmacodynamic exposure targets for sepsis.

  PublisherDOI

• Patterns of restricted TCR usage following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and severe disease

  Frontiers in Immunology · 2025-10-02 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: T cells influence COVID-19 severity and establish long-lasting immune memory in response to vaccination and infection. The diversity of the T cell repertoire, and complexity of T cell epitope recognition, make it challenging to define protective epitope-specific T cells. In this study, we created a highly specific TCR meta-database to identify T cell epitopes from the nearly complete SARS-CoV-2 proteome and determine whether vaccination with mRNA vaccines influenced the TCR repertoire. Methods: Using this meta-database, we analyzed immunosequencing data of genomic DNA to define the variable region of T cell receptor (TCR) b chain (TCRB) sequences among participants in a longitudinal COVID-19 cohort study. The TCR repertoire was compared between participants who were vaccinated or unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and stratified by disease severity. TCR diversity was measured using clonality, an index defined as the inverted normalized Shannon entropy. Results: Highly clonal TCR repertoires correlated with age and comorbidities. Using our meta-database approach, we found that vaccinated participants hospitalized with infection had the most restricted SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 TCR repertoire. However, TCRB with predicted specificity to non-spike SARS-CoV-2 proteins dominated the response, even in vaccinated participants. We identified a peptide sequence in the ORF10 accessory protein that was more frequently recognized in study participants with mild disease. Conversely, CD8 T cell recognition of a peptide sequence in ORF1ab more closely correlated with severe disease. Discussion: Overarchingly, TCR repertoire analysis revealed that CD8 T cells responding to SARS-CoV-2 broadly recognize epitopes across the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, and provided opportunities to identify epitopes associated with disease.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 64828 Synergistic Efficacy and Safety of Poly-L-Lactic Acid Biostimulator and Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Facial Fullness post Weight Loss due to Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Medication

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025-09-01 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• A Genetically-Engineered Thyroid Gland Built for Selective Triiodothyronine Secretion

  International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025-07-24 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3) are indispensable for sustaining vertebrate life, and their deficiency gives rise to a wide range of symptoms characteristic of hypothyroidism, affecting 5–10% of the world’s population. The precursor for thyroid hormone synthesis is thyroglobulin (Tg), a large iodoglycoprotein consisting of upstream regions I-II-III (responsible for synthesis of most T4) and the C-terminal CholinEsterase-Like (ChEL) domain (responsible for synthesis of most T3, which can also be generated extrathyroidally by T4 deiodination). Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, we engineered a knock-in of secretory ChEL into the endogenous TG locus. Secretory ChEL acquires Golgi-type glycans and is properly delivered to the thyroid follicle lumen, where T3 is first formed. Homozygous knock-in mice are capable of thyroidal T3 synthesis but largely incompetent for T4 synthesis such that T4-to-T3 conversion contributes little. Instead, T3 production is regulated thyroidally by thyrotropin (TSH). Compared to cog/cog mice with conventional hypothyroidism (low serum T4 and T3), the body size of ChEL-knock-in mice is larger; although, these animals with profound T4 deficiency did exhibit a marked elevation of serum TSH and a large goiter, despite normal circulating T3 levels. ChEL knock-in mice exhibited a normal expression of hepatic markers of thyroid hormone action but impaired locomotor activities and increased anxiety-like behavior, highlighting tissue-specific differences in T3 versus T4 action, reflecting key considerations in patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA-SCA) as a Safe and Effective Method to Soften Transition Between Lower Eyelid and Midface

  Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2025-06-01

  articleSenior author

  Worsening depression around the lower eyelid and midface are seen over time with age. Skin thinning, fat atrophy, along with pigmentation, skin texture, and shadow changes contribute to the "tired" look of the area. Current minimally invasive treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include hyaluronic acid injections, but these come with limitations, such as patient selection and potential risks of Tyndall effect and swelling, which are dependent on injection technique and product selection. However, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA) may be an alternative treatment option as it regenerates the patient’s own collagen and elastin and improves skin quality. The aim of this case series is to discuss the technique to improve maxilla/malar projection, pigmentation, texture, and volume after PLLA-SCA treatment. This is a case series where healthy adults with lower eyelid- midface deficiency due to congenital or age-related soft or hard tissue atrophy were injected with 2 to 2.5 mL of PLLA-SCA collagen activator (PLLA-SCA, Sculptra) per injection site diluted to 8 to 9 mL of sterile water for injection (SWFI) and 1 cc lidocaine 2%. Patients returned typically for 3 sessions every 6 weeks. Patients had improvement in maxilla/malar projection, pigmentation, texture, and volume. Clinical outcomes are seen as early as 6 weeks after last session (3 sessions average) with minimal to no touchup required 4 to 5 years post-initial treatment. No unanticipated adverse events were noted. PLLA-SCA is a safe and possibly long-term effective treatment option for patients who require softening of the lower eyelid and midface transition.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamics of Antimicrobials in Resistant Infections

  NIH · $641k · 2010–2016

Frequent coauthors

• John S. Bradley

  Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

  114 shared

• Roger Y. Andres

  49 shared

• Shelby M. Tanner

  South Dakota State University

  49 shared

• C Pekymsa

  University of Coimbra

  49 shared

• E.J. Maher

  49 shared

• Robert N. Müller

  49 shared

• Louis Tiefenauer

  Paul Scherrer Institute

  49 shared

• A. J. Schuler

  Paul Scherrer Institute

  49 shared

Awards & honors

• RO1 Award from NICHD (2018-2022)
• Pediatric Trials Network Antibiotic Safety in Infants with C…
• Sternfels Prize for Drug Safety Innovation (2018)
• U54 Specialized Centers in Research in Pediatric Development…
• K23 Award from NIAID (2010-2015)