I'm originally from Da Nang, Vietnam. Outside research, I enjoy exploring new places, good food, and community activities.
Through the TCU Rhino Initiative, I spent time in South Africa learning about wildlife conservation and the challenges facing rhinos. Seeing these animals up close and working alongside local communities on education about rhino protection made the experience especially meaningful.
As Vice President, I worked with our Vietnamese student community at TCU to organize cultural events, from traditional Tet celebrations to Vietnamese pop culture nights. The best part was seeing these events help international students feel more at home and build lasting friendships across cultures.
During high school in Da Nang, I started the Greenie Environmental Club to give students a place to learn about environmental issues and take action. We organized beach cleanups, planted trees, and held sustainability workshops for other students. It was encouraging to see our shared interest turn into activities around the city.
In high school, I volunteered to teach street children in Da Nang. Alongside helping with homework, we shared meals, decorated their homes for Tet, and spent time listening. Those everyday moments of connection were among the most meaningful parts of volunteering.
My cats are Mam (Fish Sauce) and Muoi Tieu (Pepper Salt).