Dr. Valdes is a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine. In the past 35 years he has held appointments as Distinguished University Scholar (2001 - 2014), Senior Vice-Chairman (1997 - 2012) and Chief of Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology (1989 - 2018) for the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is the Founder and Director of the Clinical Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (1990 - present).  Dr. Valdes received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics from the University of Virginia School of Medicine where he also completed postdoctoral training in Biochemistry and in Clinical Chemistry. Prior to his move to Louisville in 1989, Dr. Valdes served on the faculty at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and a Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (now the Academy of the ADML).  Dr. Valdes is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in advancing the profession of clinical chemistry and personalized medicine through his contributions in promoting clinical chemistry as a discipline via the scholarships of clinical service, research, and teaching.  Dr. Valdes has served on numerous federal/national committees such as CLIA and NIH Study Sections and has served as President of key professional organizations including the Clinical Ligand Assay Society (CLAS), the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB, now ADLM Academy), the Commission for Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry (ComACC), and the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS).  Dr. Valdes has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (Now ADLM) and as a Director on the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC).  He has received numerous distinguished scientist and recognition awards from professional organizations such as the ADLM (former AACC), NACB, CLAS, and ACS, has authored more than 270 publications and been awarded numerous NIH grants for his pioneering work in translational research in laboratory medicine. Dr. Valdes holds several patents through UofL and is a pioneer in establishing the application of personalized and precision medicine via laboratory diagnostics by founding the first CLIA- and CAP-accredited laboratory (PGXL Diagnostics Laboratories) focused on providing pharmacogenetic services for which he was honored by Ernst & Young as Entrepreneur-of-the-Year in 2014 for the South Central Ohio and Kentucky Region, a major award for entrepreneurship in the category of Life Sciences. He continues working on developing novel laboratory services to enable the practice of precision medicine using advanced techniques in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.

Summary and Career Emphasis (R. Valdes Jr.)

Dr. Roland Valdes Jr. has a dedicated 45+ years of professional activities integrating the  scholarships of education, research, clinical service and entrepreneurship. He has recently been recognized among the top 2% of most cited individuals in the world by Standford and Elsevier.

Scholarship of Education and Teaching:

·         Founded the CCFP at UofL in 1998, a program running consecutively for 35+ years and the longest continuous running postdoctoral program at UofL.

·         Mentored over 40+ postdoctoral scientists including clinical chemistry fellows who have matured to professional careers in laboratory medicine and professorships at universities.

·         The CCFP at Louisville and its Chemistry Fellows have a distinguished record of over 45 recognition awards at national conferences.

Scholarship of Research and Entrepreneurship:

·         Dr. Valdes’ focus involves discovery, development and deployment of advanced diagnostics in laboratory medicine and recently recognized among the top 2% of most cited individuals in the world by Standford and Elsevier

·         Authored over 165 published manuscripts and 260 published abstracts.

·         Awarded numerous Federal (R-types), State and private industry research grants as Principal Investigator (see CV details).

·         Has 4 issued US Patents and is Founder of two private companies in laboratory medicine (including the first CLIA and CAP-accredited laboratory focusing exclusively on providing pharmacogenetic testing services).

·         Selected as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur-of-the-Year in 2014 for the South Central Ohio and Kentucky Region.

Scholarship of Clinical and Professional Practice

·         Holds ABCC certification and has served as laboratory director for CLIA and CAP-accredited clinical laboratories at both Washington University and University of Louisville Schools of Medicine.

·         Served as President and on executive boards of several professional organizations (CLAS, NACB, ComACC, ABCC, ACS, AACC) as well as Federal national committees such as Federal CLIA Commission and NIH study sections.

·         Personal recipient of 17 national and regional awards by professional societies in laboratory medicine.