Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Truc Le

This fall, the College of Science recognized ten outstanding seniors for their contributions in and out of the classroom. Truc Le is this semester's recipient from Chemistry & Biochemistry.

The College of Science caught up with Truc to learn more about her experiences at the University of Arizona and what is on the horizon after graduation.

Why did you choose to study Biochemistry?

I chose Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences as my majors because of their relevance to the human body and my personal interest in medications. Biochemistry allowed me to learn about different processes happening in the body, and I personally think it is a great combination of chemistry and biology. Pharmaceutical Sciences introduced me to different aspects of pharmacy, such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and medicinal chemistry. I believe that these majors could prepare me well for my goal of becoming a pharmacist.

Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed. 

My most recent research project was in a drug discovery/physiology laboratory (Boitano lab), where I evaluated new antagonists to the G protein-coupled receptor, protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2), and their ability to moderate asthma in animal models. I really enjoyed my project because it really expanded my critical thinking and research horizons. It was meaningful to know that what we were researching may have a big effect on people's lives and innovate the standard of care. Moreover, it was really inspiring to work with people who were highly motivated and supportive while independently being in charge of your part of the project, where I could declare ownership of the work.

What is one specific memory from your time at UA that you'll cherish forever? 

My favorite memory that I will cherish forever is attending and presenting at a research conference hosted by the Arizona Physiology Society. It was my first research conference, and I felt very honored to be able to present my research project to people in the field. What made that experience even more memorable is that after I presented, my PI said that he was proud of me and I did a really good job. I will never forget how happy I was at that moment.

What are you most proud of having accomplished in your time at UA? 

The accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at the UA is being a teaching assistant for general chemistry courses. As a teaching assistant, I was not only able to help students feel more comfortable with the subject and the learning process but also able to be their friend and let them know that they would always have resources and the help they needed as long as they asked for it. This experience has solidified my passion for teaching and my envision of incorporating teaching into my work in the future.

What is next for you after graduation? 

My plan after graduation is to attend pharmacy school, through which I can learn to provide care to patients through a therapeutic approach and contribute to research that can improve therapeutic strategies and lead to more personalized treatments.