Ashlan J. Kunz Coyne Bridges Discovery and Patient Care Through Pharmacist-Led Research

Pharmacy Times interviewed Ashlan J. Kunz Coyne, PharmD, MPH, an assistant professor and leader of a pharmacist-driven research program at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington, on her unconventional path into research, the role pharmacists play in driving discovery and evidence-based care, and the accomplishments and collaborations that continue to shape her work in combating multidrug-resistant infections and improving patient outcomes. Kunz Coyne represents a growing generation of pharmacist-scientists whose careers bridge clinical practice, laboratory investigation, and health outcomes research. The program she leads focuses on advancing infectious disease therapy through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative study design, and mentorship of future researchers.

This interview was lightly edited for clarity.

Pharmacy Times: What brought you to the field of research as a pharmacist, and how has research shaped your work?

Ashlan J. Kunz Coyne, PharmD, MPH: My path into research was not traditional, but that makes it even more meaningful. I spent years working in pharmacy and industry before transitioning to research full time, reinforcing how much real-world patient outcomes depend on evidence-based decisions. Seeing critical gaps in infectious disease treatment options motivated me to contribute to solutions, rather than just implement them.

Research allows me to ask and answer questions that directly impact patient care, whether through optimizing antibiotic use in health outcomes studies or developing new therapies for resistant infections in the lab. It has also shaped my collaborative approach, integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines.

I view research as a continuous process of discovery and problem-solving that enables pharmacists to lead innovation in patient care. Mentoring the next generation of pharmacy researchers while contributing to this field is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.

Pharmacy Times: Traditionally, what is your role within the research team, and how often are you involved in pharmacist-led research?

Kunz Coyne: As principal investigator of my lab at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, I lead a pharmacist-driven research program that integrates benchtop research and real-world health outcomes studies. My team includes 4 full-time researchers, as well as pharmacy students, graduate students, and residents.

I am highly involved in pharmacist-led research and mentor PGY2 infectious disease residents using a flipped research model. Additionally, I serve as principal investigator on an Igniting Research Collaboration grant, working with experts from multiple fields to apply machine learning to improve empiric antibiotic selection for multidrug-resistant infections. My lab also conducts benchtop research utilizing pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies and mathematical modeling to investigate novel antimicrobial approaches, including phage-antibiotic strategies and therapies for multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas infections. Full-time pharmacy researchers with independent labs are rare, and I take great pride in training future pharmacist-scientists.

Pharmacy Times: When getting involved with a research team, are you most frequently connected through your institution, or have associations or other groups provided opportunities for research collaboration?

Kunz Coyne: I collaborate through institutional partnerships, professional associations, and multicenter research networks. Having trained at multiple universities across the US, I have worked to maintain and expand research collaborations across institutions, fostering long-term projects that extend beyond institutional boundaries.

At the University of Kentucky, I lead interdisciplinary projects and also participate in multi-institutional pharmacist-led health outcomes studies. As [I am a] junior faculty [member], these collaborations are essential for growing my research program, increasing its impact, and creating new opportunities.

Pharmacy Times: What are some of your greatest accomplishments as a pharmacy researcher?

Kunz Coyne: One of my greatest accomplishments has been building strong relationships with researchers across disciplines, including scientists, clinicians, and engineers. Research thrives on collaboration, and I actively seek opportunities to work with others who share the goal of improving patient care.

Sustaining a research program through grant funding requires persistence, and I work to expand my research in ways that make a tangible impact. However, my most fulfilling accomplishment is leading a lab, mentoring future researchers, and contributing to advancements in pharmacy and infectious disease research every day.

Pharmacy Times: What recent publications showcase your research that you are proud of?

Kunz Coyne: My research explores novel treatment strategies for multidrug-resistant infections while also addressing critical data gaps in underrepresented populations.

On the clinical outcomes side, we focus on real-world data to optimize antibiotic use. The following 2 recent studies highlight this:

1. Impact of obesity on clinical outcomes of MSSA [methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus] bloodstream infections — This study found that…patients [with obesity] took longer to clear infections, raising key questions about optimal antibiotic dosing.¹
2. Weighing the odds: Novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor use in morbidly obese patients — This research demonstrated higher treatment failure rates in…patients [with morbid obesity] with Pseudomonas pneumonia, emphasizing the need for tailored antibiotic approaches.²

By integrating laboratory discoveries with real-world evidence, my research bridges the gap between experimental findings and practical applications in pharmacy and infectious disease care.

REFERENCES

1. Wasielewski AS, Casapao AM, Jankowski CA, Isache CL, Ravi M, Kunz Coyne AJ. Impact of obesity on clinical outcomes of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024;68(11):e0075224. doi:10.1128/aac.00752-24

2. Kunz Coyne AJ, Orzol C, Veve MP, Rybak MJ. Weighing the odds: novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor use in hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia for patients who are morbidly obese. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023;10(9):ofad454. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofad454