About

DR. TOMMY VO
 

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Dr. Tommy Vo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) and is affiliated with the MSU College of Human Medicine (CHM). He did his undergraduate studies at SUNY Binghamton University. As an undergraduate, he explored research opportunities there and at CUNY City College in diverse areas ranging from cell signaling in Drosophila to the evolution of human behaviors. It was his early research mentors who helped guide him and ignite a youthful passion for scientific research. In 2016, he earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Cornell University where he worked on understanding how physical interaction networks (in yeast, human, and rice), that link thousands of different protein molecules together, enable many molecular processes such as proper gene regulation. To go from a systems-level to a smaller genic-level understanding of gene regulatory processes, he did postdoctoral work at the National Cancer Institute to study how RNA-binding proteins repress gene expression by coupling heterochromatin assembly and RNA degradation. During much of this time, he was supported by the NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) fellowship. Now leading an independent lab, he seeks to continue uncovering new fundamental principles underlying eukaryotic gene regulation.

MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Proper mentorship of students/trainees is a high priority for Dr. Vo. He credits many of his own mentors for helping him achieve his own professional successes. He welcomes those who have a genuine interest in the lab’s research topics and who want to further develop as professional scientists. Prior research experience is always a plus. However, Dr. Vo places exceedingly more value on personal drive for learning and self-improvements. As a principle investigator, he hopes to equip all mentees with the appropriate scientific and professional skills necessary to succeed in science (for within and beyond the lab).