Daisy Unsihuay Vila Wins Darlene Solomon Award for Clinical MS Research

Daisy Unsihuay Vila has been named the 2025 recipient of the Agilent Technologies Darlene Solomon Award, which honors a woman scientist making significant contributions to mass spectrometry (MS). Vila serves as the associate director of clinical chemistry at Henry Ford Health (Detroit, Michigan).

Daisy Unsihuay Vila is the associate director of clinical chemistry at Henry Ford Health. © Agilent Technologies

Vila works on advancing mass spectrometry-based workflows in clinical settings, focusing on therapeutic drug monitoring, toxicology, and small molecule analysis. She collaborates with clinicians to develop assays that improve the reliability of MS results and support clinical decision-making.

“Dr. Unsihuay Vila's groundbreaking work in mass spectrometry is revolutionizing clinical chemistry,” said Jennifer Gushue, associate vice president of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) marketing at Agilent. “Her innovative techniques enhance the performance of mass spectrometry platforms analyzing complex systems. We are excited to support her ongoing research as it continues to push the boundaries of mass spectrometry, making it a more powerful tool for clinical and biological applications.”

Vila received the award at the 13th International Singapore Lipid Symposium, which was held February 24-28 at the National University in Singapore. During her trip, she also visited the Agilent Global Solutions Development Center in Singapore, where she worked alongside Agilent scientists, experiencing hands-on practical experience of the company’s products and workflows serving the life sciences and applied market space and engaging with leaders for coaching and career advice.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Vila said. “I was fortunate to participate in the Mass Spectrometry & Advances in the Clinical Lab (MSACL)workshop, which proved to be both educational and an invaluable platform for networking with colleagues in the clinical mass spectrometry field. The advice and insights shared during the workshop were incredibly valuable. I am especially impressed by the strong academic collaborations that Agilent has fostered in this area, and I hope to establish similar partnerships in my lab. I will return to the United States with new knowledge and connections, and inspired by the initiatives I observed, which will play a crucial role in my development as a clinical mass spectrometry director.”

Vila’s work focuses on MS methods for imaging biological systems under ambient conditions for the detection of lipids and biomolecules in complex tissues. Her research includes developing a method for analyzing isomeric unsaturated lipids using online photochemical derivatization, allowing for both chemical characterization and spatial analysis. Vila has also worked with high-resolution MS imaging and its integration with ion mobility techniques. She is exploring ways to apply these technologies in clinical settings, particularly for biopsy analysis, to refine diagnostics and inform patient care.

The Darlene Solomon Award is presented in collaboration between Females in Mass Spectrometry (FeMS) and Agilent Technologies. The award supports early-career female scientists in mass spectrometry by providing financial assistance to attend conferences, fostering research in lipidomics, systems biology, and clinical research, and offering exposure to industry-leading technologies. FeMS, an international initiative, aims to build a supportive network for women in mass spectrometry, promoting their visibility, empowerment, and engagement within the field through community-led activities and global events. Joycelyn Tan, a University of Cambridge PhD candidate, was awarded in 2024 for her research on how culture conditions affect metabolic cell function, aiming to replicate the in vivo environment.

FeMS also extends its support for women in science by presenting quarterly Empowerment Awards, which acknowledge members for their professional accomplishments and their dedication to fostering a supportive environment for women working in MS.