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Number of Visitors
since May 31, 2007: 273946 |
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| Address | |
Memorial University, Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research
Faculty of Medicine.
300 Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's NL A1B 3V6
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| Tel | |
709 777 7214 |
| Fax | |
709 777 7010 |
| Email | |
phamnqtram@yahoo.com |
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| Biography | |
Tram Pham graduated with a PhD in Immunology in the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University in May 2004. The focus of her PhD project was to gain a better understanding as to why human monocytes/macrophages fail to release nitric oxide (NO), a reactive nitrogen intermediate important in the first line host defense against various pathogens including bacteria, protozoa, and certain viruses. Over the course of this work, she found that the reason behind the apparent inability of human cells to produce NO was because of the absence of protein kinase C-eta (PKC-eta) expression in these cells. Subsequently, using monocytes obtained from patients with arthritis as a model, Tram’s colleagues and she provided conclusive evidence for the role of PKC-eta in the induction of nitric oxide synthase, thus supporting their earlier findings in the in vitro cell culture model.
In the past year, Tram was invited to be the trainee representative for the Program Advisory Committee of the NCRTP-HepC. As such, she has organized and chaired a number of trainee teleconferences, which are to provide a student voice in the further development of the training program. Tram has been directly involved in putting forward a proposal for a trainee-run conference/retreat for the NCRTP-HepC, which is if approved, will be the first of its kind in the country, of which the ultimate goals are to promote networking, cross-collaboration and knowledge translation.
Previously co-mentored by Dr. Chris Richardson, Tram is currently continuing her post-doctoral training in Dr. Thomas Michalak's laboratory. Her research interests center on molecular pathogenesis of HCV infection and persistence using lymphoid cells as a model. After her post-doctoral studies, she hopes to establish her own laboratory to continue working on HCV.
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| Testimony | |
Having graduated with a Ph.D in Immunology in May 2004, I was one of the first two post-doctoral fellows being accepted into the National Canadian Research Training Program in Hepatitis C (NCRTP-HepC) in July 2004. Working with Dr. Thomas Michalak, my research has been primarily conducted at Memorial University, Newfoundland. However, I was also co-mentored by Dr. Chris Richardson, formerly at University of Toronto, an opportunity that I will always be grateful for. In very general terms, my research topic essentially focuses on furthering our understanding of the lymphotropic nature of hepatitis C - a tendency for the virus to infect and persist in lymphoid cells.
Over the course of my two-year fellowship with the NCRTP-HepC, I was presented with unique opportunities to meet, learn from and network with other leading researchers in the field. Together with an active research program I have with Dr. Michalak, these opportunities have allowed me to grow as a scientist. My interest in hepatitis C research has continued to deepen and I am planning to stay in this field, when I become an independent investigator, for as long as needed until this debilitating disease is completely eradicated. One of the most memorable experiences that I had with the program was my research elective in Toronto in 2005. Not only was I given a chance to work and adapt into a different research environment, I also had a rare occasion to visit the Liver Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital headed by Dr. Heathcote. Meeting the patients, listening to their experiences in living with the chronic illness and being a part of meaningful clinical discussions between the hepatologist and Ms. Colina Yim, a hepatology nurse, on different cases helped me realize that research in hepatitis C is not just about bench-work and laboratory. Indeed, transdisciplinary research is paramount to the success of our ongoing quest to completely cure the infected and prevent new infections. Since graduating from the program, I have been have been continuing with my post-doctoral training with Dr. Michalak, thanks to a fellowship from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver/ Hoffman-La-Roche/ Astellas. |
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| Mentor(s) | | Thomas Michalak (primary)
Chris Richardson (secondary) | | |
| Disciplines | |
Immunology, Virology and Biochemistry |
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