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Nikki Nguyen
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Entry Year: 2009
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Education: BA in Chemistry, The College of Wooster, Ohio 2007
About Me:
I moved to New Orleans from Pittsburgh following my mentor Jay Kolls. We recently
moved back to Pittsburgh where I am finishing my last year of research at the newly
formed Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research at Children's
Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. I spent my undergrad years studying chemistry and
used my summers for research internships at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Children's
Hospital of Pittsburgh. I have known I wanted to be involved in pulmonary research
since I was diagnosed with asthma as a young girl. When I am not focused on my research
I enjoy travelling, shopping, and outdoor dining.
My Primary Research Interest:
My graduate work has been heavily focused on the role of Vitamin D mediated immune
tolerance. Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) is the most prevalent fungal organism that colonizes in the respiratory tract of cystic
fibrosis (CF) patients. Though colonization rates are high in CF patient populations,
only 4-15% develops clinical disease in response to Af, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). My main goal is to determine how Vitamin
D mediates disease tolerance versus sensitization.
My Career Goal:
Continuing research in pulmomary diseases-specifically those which involve clinical
studies in conjunction with basic science research.
What makes me unique:
I have never eaten a big mac or whopper.
What makes me typical:
I drink Starbucks coffee like it's water.