Senior Product Applications Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, United States
Dr. Reiko Kiyonami is a distinguished scientist and senior product applications specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, with over three decades of dedicated service and innovation in the field of analytical chemistry. Renowned for her pioneering contributions to mass spectrometry, she has been instrumental in advancing methods for the analysis of both large biologics and small molecules, aligning analytical strategies with the evolving landscape of therapeutic development. Her work bridges the gap between fundamental analytical science and cutting-edge pharmaceutical research, making her a key contributor to the evolution of bioanalytical technologies.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Kiyonami’s academic foundation is rooted in rigorous training in chemistry and analytical sciences, where she developed a deep understanding of chemical instrumentation, biological systems, and molecular analysis. Her early educational pursuits were focused on organic chemistry and instrumental techniques, which laid the groundwork for her specialization in mass spectrometry. Her academic journey fostered an analytical mindset that would later propel her into a role at the forefront of applied mass spectrometry in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Experience
Since joining Thermo Fisher Scientific in 1990, Dr. Kiyonami has accumulated rich, hands-on experience in the characterization and quantification of complex molecules. Her long-standing role has evolved alongside major technological breakthroughs in the field, positioning her as both a technical expert and a strategic innovator. Over the years, she has contributed to the development and application of the Orbitrap mass spectrometry platform, optimizing protocols for high-resolution, high-accuracy mass analysis. Her role involves extensive collaboration with academic and industry partners, where she provides critical insights into the challenges and solutions of biologics analysis, including monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and novel modalities.
Research Interest
Dr. Kiyonami’s research interests center around developing analytical workflows for emerging therapeutic modalities such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecific antibodies, and gene therapy vectors. She is particularly focused on advancing Orbitrap-based mass spectrometry applications to improve sensitivity, resolution, and structural elucidation capabilities in the study of complex biomolecules. Her work aims to facilitate drug discovery, regulatory compliance, and biomarker quantification by ensuring that analytical methods are robust, reproducible, and scalable for industrial applications. Through her research, she continually explores the interface between precision instrumentation and clinical relevance.
Award
Throughout her career, Dr. Kiyonami has been recognized for her technical excellence, mentorship, and scientific leadership. She has received multiple internal awards within Thermo Fisher Scientific for innovation in product development and customer support. Her achievements in translating complex analytical techniques into accessible and impactful solutions for pharmaceutical applications have garnered her recognition from peers and collaborators across academia and industry. These accolades underscore her contributions to both the scientific community and the broader life sciences ecosystem.
Publication
Dr. Reiko Kiyonami has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications that highlight her contributions to mass spectrometry applications. Selected works include: (1) “Characterization of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Using Orbitrap-Based Mass Spectrometry” in Journal of Proteome Research (2020), cited by 58 articles; (2) “Quantitative Analysis of Biotherapeutics by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry” in Analytical Chemistry (2019), cited by 76 articles; (3) “New Strategies in Intact Protein Characterization: Orbitrap-Based Mass Analysis” in Bioanalysis (2018), cited by 42 articles; (4) “Advanced Workflows for Host Cell Protein Detection in Biologics” in mAbs (2021), cited by 39 articles; (5) “Top-Down and Middle-Down Approaches for Monoclonal Antibody Characterization” in Mass Spectrometry Reviews (2017), cited by 88 articles; (6) “Applications of Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Fusion Proteins” in Biotechnology Journal (2022), cited by 21 articles; and (7) “Analytical Performance of Orbitrap MS for Viral Vector Characterization” in Journal of Chromatography B (2023), cited by 15 articles. These publications reflect her consistent focus on integrating high-performance mass spectrometry into therapeutic innovation pipelines.
Conclusion
Dr. Reiko Kiyonami exemplifies scientific excellence and leadership in the field of analytical chemistry, particularly in mass spectrometry for biotherapeutic development. Her long-standing commitment to advancing Orbitrap technologies, coupled with her impactful collaborations and widely cited publications, position her as a pivotal figure in the analytical life sciences. With a career that continues to influence the direction of pharmaceutical analysis, Dr. Kiyonami’s legacy is marked by innovation, mentorship, and an unwavering dedication to improving human health through better analytical science.