Analytical Chemistry · Mass Spectrometry
Eli J. Borrego, Ph.D.
Analytical Chemist · LC-MS/MS Method Development
Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas
I’m an analytical chemist with more than 12 years of hands-on LC-MS/MS experience developing targeted methods for small molecules in complex biological matrices. I currently work in an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited food and dietary supplement testing laboratory, where I run LC-MS/MS and HPLC assays, peer-review colleagues’ data, and am executing a formal method validation. Before that, I built and ran an LC-MS/MS research lab at Rochester Institute of Technology, and at Texas A&M I developed a targeted method quantifying more than 80 plant hormones and oxylipins. A background in plant genetics and functional genomics informs how I design and interpret targeted assays.
- Run LC-MS/MS assays for amino acids and fat- and water-soluble vitamins.
- Run HPLC assays including beta-carotene, CoQ10, caffeine, Scoville heat units and preservatives, plus total organic carbon (TOC) analysis.
- Executing a formal ISO/IEC 17025 method validation (HPLC): system suitability, linearity, repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy (recovery), LOQ and measurement uncertainty.
- Peer-review and approve colleagues’ analyses, calculations and LIMS data entry; initiate out-of-specification (OOS) investigations.
Selected method work
How I approach analytical problems
Three projects, each told as problem, approach and result.
Texas A&M
Targeted profiling of 80+ hormones & oxylipins
One LC-MS/MS method from about 150 mg of tissue, also run as a fee-based service for outside labs.
Read more →RIT
Building an LC-MS/MS lab from the ground up
Selected and purchased a QTRAP 6500+, wrote the SOPs, and transferred and improved the method.
Read more →Molecular Plant, 2023
Linking a gene to its chemistry
Mutant genetics plus targeted LC-MS/MS identified a new insect-defense signal in maize.
Read more →Career
Experience & education
- 2026–nowAnalytical ChemistISO/IEC 17025-accredited food & supplement testing laboratory, Dallas–Fort Worth
- 2019–2025Assistant ProfessorThomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology
- 2017–2019Assistant Research ScientistDept. of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M University
- 2014–2017Postdoctoral Research AssociateDept. of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Texas A&M University
- 2014Ph.D., Plant PathologyTexas A&M University
- 2008B.S., Plant & Soil Science, summa cum laudeMinor in chemistry · Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Let’s talk
The best way to reach me is through LinkedIn.