Le Tam Nhan Nguyen

Research scientist with a comprehensive understanding of cell and molecular biology. Experience in various biochemical and cell-based assays from gene/protein expression in eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems. Proficient in experiment design, planning, execution, and statistical analyses for quantitative/qualitative research projects. Experience in infectious diseases and cell biology project management. Responsibilities for generating research proposals, technical and procedural troubleshooting, data analysis and interpretation. Experience working and managing BSL2 Laboratory. Assay development: Mammalian expression systems, cell-based assays, cryopreservation of cultures, in vitro assays. Cell biology: Primary cell culture (MDCK, A549, HeLa, HEK293T, insect cells), stable cell line, transfection, clone selection, fluorescent and confocal microscopy, image processing and analysis. Biochemistry and molecular biology: molecular cloning, DNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, recombinant protein expression, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, PCR.

Graduate Research Assistant, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
September 2016 to Present

• Managed and conducted multiple projects and trained undergraduate students.
• Developed molecular host-pathogen interaction assay models for virulence factor and vaccine target discovery in cellular infection models.
• Performed molecular cloning, recombinant and protein expression, cellular and viral protein purification and analysis, and gel electrophoresis.
• Identified and characterized the contribution of nuclear localization signals of the viral nucleoprotein to the viral life cycle. 
• Discovered the novel signals function in the nuclear and nucleolus transport of nucleolar protein 14.
• Performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analyses.
• Planned, modified and executed research techniques, procedures and tests.
• Gathered, reviewed, and summarized literature from scientific journals such as PubMed and produced graphs and other scientific calculations using MS Excel.
• Contributed to professionally-written scientific papers for publication.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
September 2016 to Present

• Taught BIOL112 tutorials (120 students among three sections), a first-year undergraduate course covering the principles of cellular and molecular biology using bacterial and eukaryotic examples.
• Taught BIOL200 tutorials (75 students among three sections), a second-year undergraduate course covering the structure and function of plant and animal cells; membrane models, cytoplasmic organelles, biological information from gene to protein, the endomembrane system, secretion, intracellular digestion, endocytosis, transport processes, cytoskeleton and cell motility.
• Taught BIOL201 tutorials (75 students among three sections), a second-year undergraduate course covering biological molecules, protein structure and enzyme action, energy transfer, central metabolic pathways and their regulation.
• Taught BIOL441 (15-30 students per semester), a fourth-year undergraduate course covering the analysis of cellular organelles and the intracellular traffic between them, concentrating on mammalian cell systems.
• Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication.
• Checked assignments, proctored tests and provided grades according to university standards.
• Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records.
• Offered online and distance learning support to provide instruction for students unable to attend in-person classes.
• Supervised research projects and student organizations, guiding to enhance learning outcomes.

Researcher/ Volunteer, Life Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

January 2015 to May 2016, Supervisor: Dr. Nelly Pante

• Performed wet-lab, molecular cell biology and virology scientific research using plaque assay, immunofluorescence staining, reverse-genetics and infection experiments.
• Obtained publishable results for newly generated mutant viruses using plaque assays.
• Presented data at bi-weekly lab meetings and received positive feedback from other researchers in the lab.

Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

May 2015 to August 2015

• Project: Characterization of reverse genetics-derived influenza A virus mutants by immunofluorescence microscopy.
• Examined the cellular localization of wild-type and mutant influenza A virus in each stage of the viral life cycle in infected cell lines using immunofluorescence.
• Participated in regular meetings to discuss aspects of research and experiments.
• Analyzed results using analytical software and created reports.
• Adhered to laboratory safety procedures to maintain compliance with quality control standards.

BSc in Integrated Science, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

May 2013 to May 2016

Ph.D. in Zoology, Faculty of Graduate and Post-graduate Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

September 2016 to Present