Tran B. Nguyen

Education:
University of California, Davis
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, June 2008

Research Interests:
I am primarily concerned about foodborne bacteria and interested in researching how pathogens impact the food production/distribution in California. I am also interested in research on serotypes of waterborne and fecalborne bacteria distributed throughout Northern California area.

Lab Experience:

Assist in conducting research projects of microorganisms transmitted through water, sediment, fecal such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Crypto etc.
Process and prepare water for Giardia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst enumeration using the DFA technique
Perform diagnostic methods such as membrane filtration for enumerating waterborne bacteria
Ability to enumerate Salmonella using plating and spectrophotometer techniques in order to design growth curves for E.coli and Salmonella
Be able to determine the CFU by measuring optical density and by plating on proper media
Successfully introduce Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) into E.coliO157 for research purposes
Detect concentrating water bacteria by performing Immunomagnetic Separation (IMS), Most Probable Number (MPN), and biochemistry analysis
Skill in gram stain and acid fast stain
Perform molecular methods such as PCR and RT-PCR for detecting specific serotypes and virulence characteristics for fecalborne and waterborne bacteria
Perform generic fingerprint by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE)

Current Research:
Tracking infectious dose of E.coliO157 on young Calves