Thien Vu Email & Phone Number

Boston, Ma, Us

Led cross-functional efforts to produce and characterize over a trillion neuronal cells, delivering the world's first phenomic neuronal map that revolutionizes our understanding of neurobiology. Implemented data analytics tools to integrate diverse biological modalities in cell context data packages and rapidly develop scalable methods for deriving different cell types from human pluripotent stem cells.

Led cross-functional team efforts that enabled Recursion to become one of the largest producers of high-quality human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) derived neurons. Developed and implemented robust assays and data analyses to drive process optimization for hPSC-derived neuron production at scale.

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Project: Investigating functions of synaptic proteins in induced neurons.In this project, I use CRISPR to engineer stem cells, convert them into neurons, and assay synaptic function using fluorescent reporters, electron microscopy, and super-resolution microscopy.• Established stem cell culture practices.• Developed stem cell lines for rapid conversion into neurons.• Co-authored a funded grant to acquire a cell sorter Sony MA900 to facilitate genome editing, and establish novel stem cell lines.• Developing high throughput methods for genome engineering in mouse stem cells (CRISPR and prime editing).• Developing functional assay of synapses of induced neurons.

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Project: Regulation of vesicle docking, and vesicle recycling at the presynaptic terminals.• Visualized vesicle docking, vesicle fusion, and vesicle recycling at murine presynaptic terminals using zap-and-freeze electron microscopy. Zap-and-freeze triggers an action potential in neurons with a short electrical pulse, then high-pressure freezes the neurons at precise timepoints (milliseconds). Then I use electron microscopy to assay morphological changes at the synapse after the action potential.• Characterized defects in synaptic mutants or with pharmacological disruptions using electron microscopy.• Developed and optimized methods for super-resolution imaging of proteins in living murine synapses.• Improved methods to localize proteins at nanoscopic resolution in electron micrographs.• Optimized methods for primary neuron culture, and lentiviral production.• Developed methods to analyze images quantitatively using ImageJ and Python.• Mentored one high school student, four undergraduate students, and one rotation graduate student. Students became familiar with molecular biology, cell culture, genetics, and electron microscopy techniques.• Co-authored two funded proposals to acquire a transmission-mode scanning electron microscope Zeiss GeminiSEM 300 (2019 HHMI Transformative Technology), and an ultramicrotome Leica ARTOS (NSF NeuroNEX). I managed the delivery, assembly, user training and operations of both instruments for the first year.• Developed and managed IACUC & BSL-2 protocols for the Jorgensen lab.• Presented research at a Janelia symposium (HHMI, 2018), and a Keystone Symposia (2019)• Co-wrote (with Dr. Jorgensen) peer reviews for 10 published manuscripts in Neuron, Nature, eLife, etc...

Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States

• Provided hands-on training, and facilitated experiment designs in advanced projects using electron microscopy.• Mentored graduate and postdoctoral researchers in sample preparation (high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution), imaging (transmission and scanning electron microscopy), and quantitative image analysis (ImageJ and Python).

Tacoma, Washington, United States

• Project: Nucleoside Analog Synthesis Mentor: Dr. John Hanson, Chemistry. Optimized Dess-Martin oxidation in the synthesis of nucleoside.• Project: Induced Gamma Activity in 3D Object Recognition. Mentor: Dr. David Andresen, Psychology. Bangs-Collier Scholar award Designed and performed EEG recordings from human subjects while they perceived 3D objects.• Project: Computational modeling of the interactions between sugars and Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus's MalA. Mentor: Dr. John Hanson & Dr. Jeff Grinstead, Chemistry. Performed homology modeling for the MalA structure, and model how long sugar chains can dock in the MalA enzyme active site.

Phd, Biology

• In addition to being a graduate research assistant, I was a teaching assistant in graduate courses (Genetics and Genome, Protein.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry, Psychology