Biography:

Loc is a dual MD/PhD student in the College of Human Medicine. In 2008, he graduated from University of Michigan with a M.S.E. degree in Biomedical Engineering. Over his undergraduate career Loc was fortunate to work with three different mentors. His first mentor was Dr. Thomas Carey with whom he studied the expression and distribution of Choline-Transporter Like 2 (CTL2) Protein. Antibody induced damaged to this protein results in hearing loss in an animal model suggesting that CTL2 plays an important role in inner ear function. His second mentor was Dr. Yoichi Osawa with whom he studied nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor(s) from cigarette smoke extract. It has been shown that administration of cigarette smoke to rats causes the loss of nNOS activity. His third mentor was Dr. Frank Anderson with whom he studied the phytochemical properties and oxytotic effect mechanism of Ghanian traditional uterotonic herbs. Ghanaians have used many traditional herbal medicines to increase uterine contraction but few known experiments have examined the effectiveness of these medicines. Currently, Loc is working in Dr. Donna Wang’s Lab where he is studying salt-induced hypertension with a focus on TRPV1/4. Loc’s hobbies include hiking/camping in the spring, skiing in the winter, and either hiding in a lab to do research or traveling in the summer. He enjoys listen to classic rocks and sleeping when he can find free time.

Selected Achievements and Awards:

• The Gates Millennium Fellowship: 2003-Present
• Minority Health/Health Disparity Research Fellowship: 2007
• University of Michigan Outstanding Student Leader Award: 2007
• Presidential Volunteer Service Award: 2005
• ASPET Summer Research Fellowship: 2005
• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Summer Biomedical Fellowship: 2004

Selected Publications/Abstracts:

Thang L., Kommareddi P., Nair .T, Carey T. CTL2 Distribution in Animal Tissues. In 2005 Midwinter Meeting for the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Feb. 27-March 3, 2005. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.