As a native Memphian, Kyna Vuong has long been a supporter of St. Jude's mission and driven by her scientific interests, she has discovered a meaningful pathway to contribute to that mission. Her unwavering passion for expanding her understanding of biology and her commitment to making a tangible impact on biomedical research have fueled her decision to pursue a PhD. Vuong completed her bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish at the University of Memphis in 2020. During her undergraduate career, she interned in the Research and Development Department at Meridian Bioscience Inc., an industrial company specializing in the development and manufacturing of diagnostic tests. Her internship involved spearheading a project focused on the creation of a Dengue virus serotype specific ELISA sandwich assay, aimed at producing a rapid Dengue virus diagnostic test.
Motivated to further her knowledge in biomedical research, Vuong joined the lab of Mark Hatley, MD, PhD, Director of the Molecular Oncology Division at St. Jude, as a research technologist. During this time, she studied oncogenic RAS mutations, which are frequently observed across various cancers, including rhabdomyosarcoma. She focused on deciphering how these mutations, in conjunction with p53 loss, collaborate to drive tumorigenesis, utilizing mouse models as key tools.
As she continues her academic pursuit, Vuong is determined to advance her understanding of cancer biology and continue making valuable contributions to the field.
Hometown: Memphis, TN