I grew up in the south of Vietnam before coming to Lincoln, NE, in 2014. I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry and Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University. During my undergraduate studies, I gained laboratory experience investigating cellular metabolism with Dr. Dale Abel at the University of Iowa, exploring exosome communication with Dr. Hemal Patel as a UC San Diego SURF scholar, and studying microglia in neurodegeneration with Dr. Hisashi Umemori through the Harvard SHURP program.

Following graduation, I completed post-baccalaureate research in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. Supported by the PiNBAC and RSI programs, I worked under the mentorship of Dr. Hisashi Umemori to investigate how the tyrosine kinases drive microglial engulfment during neurodevelopment. Additionally, I expanded my research scope at Vanderbilt University, studying mitochondrial dynamics in the hypothalamus with Dr. Antentor Hinton Jr., and at Meharry Medical College, investigating African-ancestry-specific variants in triple-negative breast cancer with Dr. Amadou Gaye. My scientific interest encompasses metabolic principles across cancer and neurodegeneration. This background converges on my current focus in cancer neuroscience.

As an MD-PhD candidate at the University of Kansas Medical Center, I aim to contribute to research effort that develop targeted therapies for neurological malignancies. Outside of the laboratory, I enjoy playing tennis, reading detective fiction, and spending time with my dogs.