UC student combines cosmetic research and healthcare advocacy
The president of UC Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers aims to change the face of dermatology
Thanhthao Nguyen
Thanhthao Nguyen loves helping people feel good in their skin.
A fifth-year biological sciences student at the University of Cincinnati, Nguyen is on a pre-med track with a focus on cosmetics. Her career goal is become a dermatologist.
Nguyen said helping people with their skin is especially satisfying because of the positive effects on their self-esteem.
Nguyen's decision to become a dermatologist resulted from the combination of her cosmetic research experiences and her interest in influencing positive changes in healthcare. She hopes that her research may lead to the creation of affordable products that alleviate issues related to skin health.
Nguyen is pursuing a medical humanities certificate. She has shadowed doctors in medical clinics in the past and wants to broaden her experience by shadowing practitioners in other countries or researching medical devices.
Nguyen is particularly interested in topics that involve women and children and to raise awareness about the price of dermatology to make treatments affordable to more patients.
She enjoys the show “Dr. Pimple Popper” and feels inspired by how Dr. Sandra Lee gives away free services.
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
Nguyen serves as president of the UC chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. A primary goal of the group is to “prepare Asian heritage scientists and engineers for success in the global business world.”
For Nguyen, the best part about working with the student chapter is connecting with others who have the same goals and sharing a common cultural connection. The inclusion of both engineers and scientists in the group has been fulfilling. The student chapter continues to find ways to highlight both the engineering and science facets of the organization.
Nguyen and other members recently connected with fellow members at its regional conference in February at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Nguyen's favorite part about UC is meeting people and getting involved. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and has been very involved in service and philanthropy activities such as Reading is Fundamental, a children’s literacy program. She is also active in the UC Vietnamese Student Association, whose members raise cultural awareness for and about Vietnamese students.
The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers holds biweekly meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Anyone interested in connecting with UC SASE is invited to email Nguyen.
Featured image at top: UC's Engineering Research Center.
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