Danny Bui
M.D./Ph.D. Student
About Me
I grew up in Saigon, Vietnam. During high school, I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and went on to earn a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. During my undergraduate studies, I researched how lysosomal pathways influence pathogen response and reproductive health in C. elegans in the lab of Dr. Arjumand Ghazi at UPMC Children's Hospital. This work solidified my interest in the intersection of immunity and metabolism in the context of healthspan and aging. I am excited to start my MD/PhD training at °®ÎÛ´«Ã½, focusing on research in the Biology of Aging.
Hobbies/Interests
Guitar, piano, anime, swimming, League of Legends
Research Topic
Biology of Aging, Metabolism, and Immunity
Why I chose MD/PhD
I have been interested in the idea of reversing the deterioration of aging since I was seven. This idea came to me after reading a story from an encyclopedia my mom gave me about ancient Chinese apothecaries who, while searching for the fountain of youth, serendipitously discovered gunpowder. I was captivated by this force of nature called aging and the potential for improving seniors' health in the later stages of their lives. I want them to be able to continue their endeavors, sharing the invaluable experience accumulated through a lifetime without physical health being a hindrance. Discovering the mechanisms that determine healthspan and finding treatments to improve it is the forefront of my research endeavor and a critical component motivating me to become a physician. I also want to become a physician because I have observed that many people cannot access the healthcare they need, something I saw growing up in Vietnam and also in America. I want to help alleviate this problem as a member of the medical community. The profound role of a physician was reinforced in my own life after my mom survived cancer and when I lost a friend to lung cancer. Because of this, I want to become a compassionate, knowledgeable physician who can bring hope and treatment to more patients in the future.
Why I chose MD/PhD at °®ÎÛ´«Ã½
I was drawn to °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ by the extraordinary research opportunities in the biology of aging, with the leading faculty across a wide spectrum of disciplines—from basic and translational science to clinical research and public health. Moreover, I valued the welcoming community of students and the supportive administration during my interview and revisit weekend, I believe that my training at °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ would be a meaningful journey extension beyond the stage of career development.
Post-bac work or other affiliations
Lab Technician at the UPMC Children’s Hospital
Education
B.S., Molecular Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 2024