Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Matthew Slawson

Research Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Matthew H. SlawsonTitle: Research Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Email address: matt.slawson@m.cc.utah.edu

Education and Training:

  • B.S., 1990, University of Utah
  • Ph.D., 1997, University of Utah






Research Interests:

As an investigator with the Center for Human Toxicology, Dr. Slawson is interested in the forensic, applied and research applications of liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A particular focus is the development of sensitive and specific analytical methods for the detection of trace amounts of drug and drug metabolites in biological matrices such as urine and blood. These methods are then used in support of research into the treatment of drug addiction. Additionally, Dr. Slawson is interested in the forensic and clinical applications of detecting drugs and drug metabolites in alternative matrices such as hair, saliva and sweat.

Selected Publications:

  • J.P. Danaceau, M.S. Morrison, M.H. Slawson. Quantitative confirmation of testosterone and epitestosterone in human urine by LC/Q-ToF mass spectrometry for doping control, J Mass Spectrom, 43(7): Jul, 2008.
  • A.M. Hoggan, M.K. Shelby, D.J. Crouch, C.R. Borges, and M.H. Slawson. Detection of bumetanide in an over-the-counter dietary supplement, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 31:Nov-Dec, 2007.
  • M.H. Slawson, M. Chen, D.E. Moody, S.D. Comer, E.S. Nuwayser, W.B. Fang, R.L. Foltz. Quantitative analysis of naltrexone and 6_-naltrexol in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: application to the pharmacokinetics of Depotrex® in rabbits, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 31: Oct., 2007.
  • C.R. Borges, M.H. Slawson, N. Miller, M. Hansen, D. Crouch. Analysis of a challenging set of banned steroids and antiestrogens by LC/MS/MS, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 31: April, 2007.
  • T. C. Kupiec, M.H. Slawson, F. Pragst, M. Herzler. High performance liquid chromatography. In: Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons, 3rd edition volume I. A.Moffatt, M.D. Osselton, B. Widdop, Eds. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK, 2004.
  • D.G. Wilkins, D.E. Rollins, G.G. Krueger, M.P. Augsburger, A. Mizuno, C. O'Neal, C.R. Borges, M.H. Slawson. The effect of hair color on the incorporation of codeine into human hair. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 27: November, 2003.
  • M.H. Slawson, J.L. Taccogno, R.L. Foltz, D.E. Moody. Quantitative analysis of selegiline and three metabolites (N-desmethylselegiline, methamphetamine and amphetamine) by HPLC-APCI-MS/MS in human plasma. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 26: 430-437, October 2002.
  • D.E. Moody, M.H.Slawson, E.C. Strain, J. D. Laycock, A.C. Spanbauer, R.L. Foltz. A liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of buprenorphine, its metabolite, norbuprenorphine and a co-formulant naloxone, that is suitable for in vivo and in vitro metabolism studies. Analytical Biochemistry, 306: 31-39, 2002.
  • D.J. Crouch and M.H. Slawson. Analysis of selected low-dose benzodiazepines by mass spectrometry. In: Forensic Science and Medicine; Benzodiazepines and GHB: detection and pharmacology. S. Salamone, Ed. Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. 2001.
  • M.H. Slawson, D.J. Crouch, D. Andrenyak, D.E.Rollins, J.K. Lu, P.L. Bailey. Determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, and morphine-6-glucuronide in plasma after intravenous and intrathecal morphine administration using HPLC with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 23: 468-473, 1999.
  • Slawson, M.H., Wilkins, D.G., and Rollins, D.E. The incorporation of drugs into hair: Relationship of hair color and melanin concentration to phencyclidine concentration. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 22: 406-413, 1998.
  • Slawson, M.H., Crouch, D.J., Andrenyak, D., Rollins, D.E., Lu, J.K., and Bailey, P.L. Determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, and morphine-6-glucuronide in plasma after intravenous and intrathecal morphine administration using HPLC with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 23: 468-473, 1999.
  • P.L. Bailey, J.K. Lu, N.L. Pace, J.A. Orr, J.L. White, E.A. Hamber, M.H. Slawson, D.J. Crouch, D.E. Rollins. Effects of intrathecal morphine on the ventilatory response to hypoxia. The New England Journal of Medicine, 343: 1228-1234, 2000.
  • D.J. Crouch and M.H. Slawson. Analysis of selected low-dose benzodiazepines by mass spectrometry. In: Forensic Science and Medicine; Benzodiazepines and GHB: detection and pharmacology. S. Salamone, Ed. Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. 2001.
  • T. C. Kupiec and M.H. Slawson. High pressure liquid chromatography. In: Clarke's Isolation and Identification of Drugs (4th edition), The Pharmaceutical Press, In Review, May 2002.
  • M.H. Slawson, J.L. Taccogno, R.L. Foltz, D.E. Moody. Quantitative analysis of selegiline and three metabolites (N-desmethylselegiline, methamphetamine and amphetamine) by HPLC-APCI-MS/MS in human plasma. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, In Press, 2002.