“ We conduct our studies on pregnant women with HIV who are already taking a drug because their primary caretaker had no other choice but to give it to her ,” Best explains . “ We simply ask if we can draw their blood and measure the concentrations . We even give them the results back in real time , so their clinicians can use the information to determine if she wants to increase or decrease the dose . There ’ s actually a safety incentive for them to enroll in our studies — they couldn ’ t get this information with their caretakers alone .”
Best ’ s findings thus far have been incorporated in the Department of Health and Human Services ’ treatment guidelines for HIV . Yet she ’ s committed to finding better answers to these sensitive questions , so that those living with HIV can live well despite their condition . “ HIV is a chronic disease — many people live with it for many years ,” she says . “ The number of women with HIV is in the millions , but they want to have children and families . I want to come up with the safest way for them to do it .”
From Lab to Class
In 2010 and 2013 , Best was recognized as the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor of the Year . Best was also a recipient of the 2013 / 2014 Distinguished Teaching Award for UC San Diego Division Academic Senate members . “ I love the interactions with my students ,” she says . “ They ’ re always coming up with new questions that I would have never thought of before — it ’ s a lot of fun for me and it keeps me on my toes .”