“To me, it’s rewarding to know that everything we’re doing in the lab has relevance to the clinical world.” Chao sees in her practice,” explains Khuu. “The cells that we’re using to model the disease come from the blood samples of patients who Dr. “I feel very lucky to be in the Chao Lab,” says Khuu, who has been working on a project in which he used immunofluorescence to study Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy, a degenerative eye disease. Several years ago, Khuu brought his interest in retinal pathology to the lab of Jennifer Chao, a faculty member in the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), where he is part of an effort to use stem cells to model diseases similar to those he had seen in the clinic. We can manage and prevent worsening of symptoms, but we can’t cure.” Khuu at the 2018 Summer STEM research poster session hosted by the University of Washington “That showed me there’s no great way to deal with the root cause. “A lot of people come into the clinic every couple of months to get intravitreal injections of VEGF, to help prevent angiogenesis,” he says, referring to the formation of new blood vessels that cause scarring of the retina, and can lead to permanent damage and even blindness. Robert Nash, a retinal surgeon practicing at Proliance Retina, where he witnessed the human impact of vision loss. It began during his freshman year of college, when a desire to learn more about medicine – and a bit of chance – led him to Dr. More preventative measures for issues like eye disease are really important.”įor Khuu, eye health is now a major focus. “Often they won’t seek care until it’s too late. “As a person of Vietnamese descent, I’ve seen how immigrant families and refugees struggle to navigate the healthcare system,” he explains.
Khuu is also motivated by a strong sense of community. Working with Camp Kesem to support children whose parents are impacted by cancer and shadowing a retinal surgeon treating patients struggling with macular degeneration are just two of the experiences that have inspired him to pursue a life of service. Since arriving at UW, Khuu has made a habit out of helping others. Pictured here with fellow Camp Kesem volunteers, Thomas Khuu finds time to give back while finishing college and working in the Chao Lab Khuu is now a senior at the University of Washington (Biochemistry), where his commitment to the greater good has helped him earn special recognition: a spot on the 2019 Husky 100 list. With an Eye on Impact, a Decorated Husky Prepares for a Career in Community-Driven Medicineīy the time he was in high school, Thomas Khuu knew he wanted to be a doctor.
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