Summaries

Expert Spotlight: Lawrence Pacquette, PhD

Publication Date: 22 October 2025

A conversation with Abbott Associate Research Fellow Lawrence Pacquette:

Q: Tell us about yourself.

I'm an Associate Research Fellow at Abbott Nutrition with more than two decades of experience in analytical chemistry. Throughout my career, I've focused on essential minerals and toxic heavy metals, particularly in developing advanced methods for trace and ultra-trace elemental detection and speciation. My expertise spans advanced elemental spectroscopy techniques like laser-based atomic spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis, elemental speciation, regulatory compliance, and the development of robust analytical methods for infant formula and nutritional products that have been adopted by global regulatory bodies. 

Q: When you consider your work through the lens of the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel's (NPIAP) guidelines on wound healing, what do you want healthcare professionals to know?

  • The health efficacy of many minerals depends not only on their concentration but also on their bioavailability--the rate and extent to which the nutrient is absorbed into the body.
  • Minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and magnesium are essential for pressure injury prevention and healing due to their roles in immune function, tissue repair, and oxidative stress regulation.
  • The oxidation state and chemical species of an element can critically influence biological activity, where imbalances may impair healing processes and contribute to the development of chronic wounds.

Q: Where can we find more information about the role of micronutrients in wound healing?

ANHI launched a new course in September 2025 called "Micronutrients: A Need for Micromanagement." In the course, Cassandra Pogatschnik, RD, LD, CNSC, CCTD, discusses micronutrient deficiencies, as well as how abnormal micronutrient levels can affect ingestion, absorption, and metabolism. It's a great course, and nurses and dietitians who enroll and complete the program can earn 1.0 contact hour of free, accredited education.

ENROLL IN COURSE

Expert Bio(s):

Lawrence Pacquette, PhD

Associate Research Fellow 
Abbott Nutrition 
Columbus, Ohio, USA 

Lawrence Pacquette is an Associate Research Fellow at Abbott Nutrition in Columbus, Ohio, where he has worked since 2000. He is a globally recognized expert in the chemistry and analysis of minerals and heavy metals. His contributions have significantly advanced Abbott’s nutrition business through the development and validation of innovative methods for ultra-trace mineral analysis. Lawrence pioneered Abbott’s first inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for measuring selenium, chromium, and molybdenum, and introduced elemental speciation to detect different ionic forms of iron in infant formula.

His analytical expertise consistently delivers high-performance methods, achieving low limits of quantitation, reducing cycle times, and resolving complex testing challenges. Lawrence’s work has been essential to new product development and successful product launches. He also plays a critical role in maintaining product quality and safety across Abbott’s global operations. By collaborating with manufacturing teams, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and third-party laboratories, he has helped resolve out-of-specification events and formulation issues, saving the company millions of dollars. Currently, Lawrence is leading initiatives to enhance Abbott’s capabilities in trace element speciation and ultra-trace elemental analysis. He is also collaborating with an AOAC Expert Review Panel to advance Abbott Nutrition’s heavy metal method toward adoption as the first stage in the AOAC Official Methods of Analysis program.

Lawrence’s influence extends beyond Abbott Nutrition. He has supported other divisions, including Abbott Diagnostics, where he resolved a nickel impurity issue under tight constraints. Internationally, he contributes to the Stakeholder Program on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals, helping develop globally harmonized standards. He has authored and co-authored more than 18 peer-reviewed publications, 140 internal technical reports, and two Codex Type II methods - an exceptional and prestigious accomplishment in the food industry. His service on technical committees for AOAC International has earned him honors such as the Fellow of AOAC International Award and the Method of the Year in 2020.

Lawrence holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Iowa, an MS in Inorganic Chemistry from Western Illinois University, and a BS in Chemistry and Physics from the University of the Virgin Islands.

For fun, Lawrence enjoys family time, biking, listening to reggae music, tackling home improvement projects, and attending soccer and football games. He is also an avid follower of Caribbean cricket.

Category
All Life Stages General Nutrition