Profile
My research work aims to investigate how post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as ubiquitylation, acetylation, SUMOylation and phosphorylation regulate metabolic enzymes in normal cells and cancers. With the availability of large-scale cancer genomics and proteomic data sets, time is ripe for identifying molecular regulation of metabolic enzymes by PTMs with a clear connection to human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. I also seek to understand the molecular mechanisms of action of anti-cancer drugs such as IMiDs. My research focus will help us to design cancer therapeutic strategies based on inhibition of metabolic enzymes for treating human diseases such as cancers.
Academic Information
Research Interests
- Cancer biology
- Immunology
- Post-translational modifications of proteins
Areas of Expertise
- Glutamine metabolism
- Signal transduction
- Post-translational modifications of proteins
- Cancer drug targets
Education & Training
Fellowship
2012-18, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Post-Graduate School
2011, PhD in Immunology & Cancer Biology, UT - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Graduate School
2003, MS in Molecular Biology, KU – Leuven & VUB in Belgium
Veterinary School
DVM, Hanoi University of Agriculture
Awards & Honors
- Selected talk at the Copenhagen Bioscience Conferences: “Protein Signaling – from pathways to networks”. Denmark, 2016.
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fellow Award, 2013 – 2016.
- International Myeloma Foundation Brian D. Novis Research Award, 2013.
- Selected talk at the Sixth International Conference on SUMO, Ubiquitin, UBL Proteins: Implications for Human. Houston, Texas – USA, 2012.
- Vivian L. Smith Award for Outstanding Young Immunologist, Center for Cancer
- Immunology Research, UT - MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006.
- Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) Fellowship for Ph.D program in the US, 2004.
- Vietnamese Government Scholarship for master program in Belgium, 2001 – 2003.
- VIFOTEC prize (Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations), 1997.
- First Class Honors, Hanoi University of Agriculture, Vietnam.