Thao Le Masters, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Chesapeake, Virginia, Us

ContractorCenters for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)National Center for Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)Clinical & Environmental Microbiology Branch (CEMB)

Rochester, Minnesota, Us

● Spearheaded design and execution of $5M research project to improve diagnosis of biofilm-forming bacterial infections, demonstrating 15% improvement and 85% sensitivity of antibiotic resistance genes.● Collaborated with 11 scientists in cross-functional disciplines on 5 research projects with budgets ranging from $10K to $5M, enhancing performance and translational outcomes in patients by 70%; achieved 4 publications.● Collaborated and co-authored grant proposals to secure $500K NIH R01 award and musculoskeletal grant.● Pioneered innovative $10K translational research project using single cell technology to develop a more accurate pathogen detection tool for infections and the ability to detect polymicrobial infections.● Presented data in poster and oral presentation formats at lab meetings and 7 conferences with up to 4K attendees.● Produced reports and manuscripts (9 published, 1 submitted, 2 in progress).● Presented biweekly & monthly project developments to a team of 14 researchers, clinicians, and technicians.● Coached 3 junior research fellows & 2 students, leading a team to develop a methodology to investigate failing mechanisms of total joint arthroplasties.● Performed cell culture, flow cytometry analysis, and cell sorting to characterize and profile humanhost cells from clinical samples.● Developed a transcriptomics-based assay to detect low-quantity pathogens from tissue and sonicate fluid samples and their antimicrobial resistance genes to guide treatment for bacterial infections.● Optimized method to identify prosthetic failure in arthroplasty patients by detecting metal ions in sonicate fluids.● Collaborated with clinicians and scientists from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the Center forIndividualized Medicine, and the Division of Infectious Diseases.

Dekalb, Il, Us

● Spearheaded design, execution, and analysis of 3 research projects of $200K+ to elucidate gene regulation mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria that led to 5 peer-reviewed publications.● Mastered a wide range of molecular techniques including cloning, DNA manipulation, RNA isolation,PCR/RT-qPCR, cDNA synthesis, and sequencing to study gene functions.● Presented data and research findings at 9 conferences, seminars and symposiums with 150 attendees, including non-scientific community, students, faculty, and external scientists.● Awarded highly competitive $5K Graduate Research Grant 4 consecutive years.● Led groups of students to conduct 3 research projects, resulting in 4 manuscripts.● Trained 3 graduate and 6 undergraduate students on research methodologies and practices.● Completed annual BSL training and radioactive safety training.

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vn

● Liaised between nurses & technologists and researchers on a $1.4B project to develop M01ZH09 typhoid vaccine.● Collaborated with 10 physicians and scientific experts in cross-functional fields on 3 research projects.● Produced 3 publications by participating in several clinical studies to improve treatment for infectious diseases.● Designed & executed experiments to identify and characterize bacterial species using molecular and culture-based methods, indicating prevalence and acquisition of drug resistance in clinical microorganisms.● Investigated molecular mechanisms, contributing to acquisition of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular Biology

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biotechnology