Vincent P
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Harvard University
Expertise
biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, neuroscience
Bio
Hello! My name is Vincent Pham and I am a PhD candidate in the lab of Victoria D'Souza at Harvard University. My research studies the role that RNA structure plays in driving biological function with a particular emphasis on studying RNAs important in HIV, neurodegenerative diseases, and SARS-CoV-2. Before grad school, I graduated from undergrad at Brown University with a degree in biochemistry and a secondary concentration in Africana studies. I've also worked as a teacher, EMT, hospital tech, tutor, and other various odd jobs before starting grad school so there are a lot of interesting stories to tell if you are interested!Project ideas
HIV Transcriptional Regulation
After HIV enters the host's immune cells, it turns its RNA genome into DNA and integrates that into the host's genome. From there, it hijacks the host's transcriptional machinery to produce more copies of itself. HIV does this by mimicking strategies used by the host but co-opts them for its own advantages. There are many players that are involved in this process from both the host and the virus with decades of research on the topic so you can feel free to delve into studying one molecule or the entire process as a whole. Also, this represents the only phase the HIV-1 lifecycle that does not have any current treatment options so we can also explore how we might go about developing treatments.
Brain Invaders!
The blood-brain barrier is one of the most highly regulated parts of our bodies to ensure that harmful substances do not get into the brain. Pathogens have developed a number of strategies to break past these defenses and change an organism's behavior, often for their own benefit. The molecular mechanisms of how a brain-eating amoeba or the creation of real-life zombie organisms are fascinating and still being uncovered and there are plenty of examples of how pathogens manipulate behavior to choose from that we can use to develop really cool creative projects!