Member Spotlight: David Neff, DO

David Neff, DO, has worked closely with the National Lipid Association and its members since 2003, and now volunteers his time as a member to help carry out its mission. Dr. Neff’s interest in lipidology originated from a research assignment that focused on cholesterol fed rodents with fatty liver during his undergraduate career at Michigan State University. While at Merck & Co. from late 2000 until 2014, Dr. Neff supported several cardiovascular brands in hypertension and lipids. He helped bring ezetimbe to market in 2002 and has co-authored several articles describing the role of ezetimibe in controlling cholesterol absorption and demonstrating the clinical value of lipid lowering beyond statins alone.

In regards to the advancement of lipidology, he is very optimistic about the future of drug discovery and development of other potential therapies. He now works with collaborators who focus on developing large genomic databases comparing precise phenotypes with case controls to better identify and validate novel biomarkers that could be future targets of therapy.

“We capture trillions of data points where we can perform advanced large-scale analytics and in-silico experiments, such as Bayesian network association analyses and Mendelian randomization experiments,” said Dr. Neff. “We no longer focus on a particular biomarker, enzyme, or receptor. We can construct large in-silico metabolic pathway maps, where we take a true systems biology approach. We can examine upstream and downstream consequences of a loss-of-function (LOF) gene and its related protein sets on a particular pathway. Although such polymorphisms have a lifetime effect, we can make certain assumptions linking altered biologic activity to a potential drug effect. We just published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine where we utilized a Mendelian Randomization technique to examine variation in PCSK9 and HMGCR and the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”1

Dr. Neff also works as a consultant for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in the Office of Medical Affairs. He is working on Medicaid Pharmacy and Health Policy related issues. He helps hepatitis C patients get access to current therapies and is working how to control the recent opioid mortality crisis facing Michigan and the U.S. He developed his penchant for preventative cardiology and public health policy while in active clinical practice from 1980 until 2000.

While his work keeps him busy, he still manages to see 10 patients per week to keep his hand active in clinical medicine. Most of his patients have cardio metabolic syndrome and are at the highest risk of having a new cardiovascular event.

When asked about the best part of his occupation, Dr. Neff reflects that “it’s been very gratifying knowing that I’ve contributed to improving lives of millions of patients who I’ve never met but still individually care for a few scores of patients who I’ve known for almost 35 years.”

When Dr. Neff is not enthralled in lipid research and health policy, he loves to golf and downhill ski whenever he gets the chance. Dr. Neff also said that his favorite place to escape is at Porcupine Mountains State Park in the northwestern upper peninsula of Michigan. “The view overlooking Lake of the Clouds on one side and Lake Superior on the other is spectacular.”