Kate Placzek, PhD
Medical Editor
Kate Placzek, PhD, has spent more than a decade in medical writing and communications, grounded in more than two decades of scientific research experience. For Mesothelioma.com, she helps ensure our content is accurate and easy to understand.
Dr. Placzek earned her doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Purdue University. She went on to build a research career focused on complex medical topics, including oncology and endocrinology.
Over time, she found that her passion was in explaining the science, rather than conducting research. Today, she uses her scientific background to translate complex medical topics into clear, useful content for patients and families.
Her goal as a communicator is to make complicated information easier to understand without losing the science behind it. For Dr. Placzek, one of the most rewarding parts of her work is turning a dense scientific concept into information someone can actually use.
Throughout her communications career, she has worked with leading organizations in the health care industry. For Mesothelioma.com, Dr. Placzek works with our team of writers, legal experts and medical professionals to help ensure the information our readers find is accurate and understandable.
“A mesothelioma diagnosis is a lot to take in. My job is to make sure the person reading about it gets the accuracy and clarity they deserve so they can better understand their options and make informed decisions about their health. That’s what I’m here to do: use my words to make complex medical information easier to understand and use.”
Selected Publications
Elevated Serum Tetrac in Graves Disease: Potential Pathogenic Role in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Mar 1;102(3):776–85. doi:10.1210/jc.2016-2762
Lipidomic metabolism analysis of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonylethanolamide). J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2010 Nov 2;53(3):567–75. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2010.03.035
A peptide biosensor for detecting intracellular Abl kinase activity using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem. 2010 Feb 1;397(1):73–8. doi:10.1016/j.ab.2009.09.048
Membrane microdomains and metabolic pathways that define anandamide and 2-arachidonyl glycerol biosynthesis and breakdown. Neuropharmacology. 2008 Dec;55(7):1095–104. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.07.047
Mechanisms for recycling and biosynthesis of endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol. J Neurochem. 2008 Nov;107(4):987–1000. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05659.x
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Kate Placzek, PhD, is a medical writer and editor with years of experience as a scientific researcher. For Mesothelioma.com, she helps ensure our content stays accurate and easy to understand.
