Nhu Truong

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER

1. Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am doing research with Dr. Anil D’mello this summer. Our project aims to formulate a therapeutic method for Phenylketonuria by encapsulating a replacement enzyme called Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL).  

 2. What do you find fascinating in the research that you’re doing?

What I enjoy the most in research is analyzing the data, planning experiments, and theorizing reasons for our results. Research has allowed me to think outside the box and apply the knowledge I gained from my courses. I also find my research extremely interesting as well as the formulation aspect. 

 3. What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

Almost every experiment I perform requires me to analyze my samples using the HPLC (shown in photo). I have learned not only how to operate and care for the machine, but also troubleshooting.

 4. What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

Doubting your skills after receiving unexpected results. I had to perform an experiment that has been done countless times by me and other students in the lab. I was not getting the same results, and this made me doubt my skills. After weeks of troubleshooting, I had learned how to perform the experiment more accurately and also found a technical error with our procedure. 

 5. How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

USURF has allowed me to see what my future as researcher would look like. The field of pharmaceutics and formulation has grown a great interest towards me since I started working in the lab. Since receiving the USURF award, I can see myself being a scientific researcher and decided to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of Pharmaceutics. 

 6.Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I am a huge animal lover. I’m that person that points out every dog and I love to be around animals. My past pets include toads, crickets, guinea pigs, cats, and a turtle. I now currently own two small dogs, a parrot, and many fishes.