Doan Y. Dao, MS3
University of Texas at Austin, BS Biochemistry
Current degree plan
Candidate of Doctor of Medicine
Brief synopsis of past research experiences
Doan's inspirations for becoming a physician scientist originated from his summer research experience following his first year of medical school in the laboratory of Dr. Ann Word. Dr. Word is a professor in the Ob-Gyn Department, UTSW. In the Word group, Doan studied how IL-8 interacts with a novel transcription factor that may help explain the cause of preterm birth.
Following the project in Dr. Word group, Doan spent two years (2007-2009) under the supervision of Dr. William M. Lee as a UTSW Medical Student Clinical Research Fellow (1st year) and a trainee of the NIDDK Medical Student Research Training Program (2nd year), respectively. Dr. Lee is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UTSW. Dr. Lee's main research interests include viral hepatitis and liver failure; he conducts both translational and clinical research. In the Lee group, Doan has been studying a cohort of 105 patients with acute liver failure (ALF) secondary to hepatitis B virus (HBV-ALF) as a window into the overall immunopathogenesis of this unique viral infection. Also in the Lee Group, Doan studied various HBV genotypes that may predict the progression of liver fibrosis in 133 HIV/HBV co-infected patients.
In 2010, Doan founded the DFW Hepatitis B Free Project-APAMSA at USW. The project is an ongoing outreach program between the UTSW- and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Fort Worth-Asian Pacific Medical Student Association (APAMSA) to raise awareness and reduce the prevalence of undiagnosed chronic HBV infection and susceptibility among Asian/Pacific Islander adults in the DFW metroplex through: Free education, Free screening, Free vaccination for individuals without immunity to hepatitis B infection and Provision of linkage to care for those with chronic hepatitis B infection. Additionally, the project aims to study epidemiological aspects of HBV infection. For more description of the project, please see articles by CenterTimes and the Dallas Morning News.
Current areas of interest / research
Doan's current research includes further studies on HBV-ALF patients in the Lee Group. Specifically, he examines the quantitative levels of HBsAg (a marker of HBV infection), alpha-Fetoprotein (a marker of liver regeneration) and liver histology of those patients. With these additional studies, he hopes that more understanding of the immunopathogenesis mechanisms of HBV infection can be made.
Publications:
**Revised and resubmitted to Hepatology for final decision
**Submitted to Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Abstract:
Research Grant:
David Nathan Meyerson Private Foundation, 2011 to Doan Dao
Advisor: William M. Lee, MD.
Project:” Quantitative Titers of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Help Distinguish the Two Subtypes of Hepatitis B-Related Acute Liver Failure”
Meetings
Current professional trajectory
After medical school curriculum, Doan anticipates applying for internal medicine residency and followed by a subspecialty. He is interested in clinical aspects of and outreach programs in viral hepatitis. He hopes to have more opportunities in the future to continue to do research as part of his career in medicine.
"Personal Words of Wisdom" (brief summary of life lessons - personal perspective / what to do/ what not to do, for students interested in research)
1) Choose a mentor who is experienced and has resources
2) If possible, ask your mentor for an opportunity to attend a scientific conference
3) Get to know and to be known by Dr. Michael McPhaul well