On a Quest for Knowledge

The News Magazine of HCU

The son of Vietnamese immigrants, Justin Dieu always pondered complex questions as a young child, like, “Why do we get sick if we are dirty?” or “Why do we get woozy if we hold our breath?”

“Everything in our physical being – including the illnesses we have, the injuries we sustain, and how we get better- is rooted in our biology,” shared Dieu.

His deep curiosity coupled with the vivid stories his parents shared about patients they saw in the hospital where they worked, inspired him to pursue a biochemistry-molecular biology degree at HCU to realize his dream of becoming a doctor.

As a part of his undergraduate studies, Dieu interned at M.D. Anderson Hospital where he donned a lab coat and gloves in the melanoma medical oncology lab and checked and split cell cultures to preserve them for experimentation using protocols taught in the lab.

“After I was done prepping in the lab, I would head over to a separate building called the vivarium in order to collect samples and data from our specimens which were predominantly mice,” shared Dieu.

The internship provided him with knowledge, experience and lifelong connections as well as invaluable experience in scientific methods and insights on the treatment of melanoma.

Guided by parents who valued education and taught him to give his best, Dieu does not take the opportunities he has been afforded lightly.

“My parents were a part of the 1.5 Vietnamese generation, meaning they immigrated here as children as a result of the Vietnamese diaspora following the Vietnam war. They learned and adapted to the American way of life, and thus, instilled many of these customs and beliefs into us.

“However, I believe the most important values they instilled in me came from their Vietnamese beliefs. Specifically, that my education and career were high priorities and that I should give my best in these endeavors. Faltering and falling short of success was okay as long as I was true to myself in giving my best effort,” said Dieu.

Now, in his senior year, he has gained knowledge in many fields of science which has enabled him to answer many of the complex “whys” that intrigued him as a child. Most importantly, shares Dieu, his studies at HCU taught him how to pursue inquiry, equipping him with the tools for his future career.

Initially drawn to the University because of its close proximity to his home, the George Ranch High School graduate has come to value HCU’s inclusive environment, close-knit sense of community and the meaningful connections he has forged with professors and peers.

He credits Dr. Saul Trevino, a professor of chemistry at HCU, for not only teaching class material, but also teaching him how to effectively learn in any class.

“More than that though, Dr. Trevino always connected what he taught to the Christian faith, showing that there was beauty in the intricacies of God’s creation and that science and faith should not conflict, but rather, work in tandem to elevate one another. Science allows for us to understand, and faith allows for us to appreciate.

“He taught with a contagious joy that allowed for me to view learning as a fun and engaging experience if pursued in the right way,” said Dieu.

Encouraged by his college professors to apply for the RAMP research program at M.D. Anderson, Dieu is grateful for the knowledge, experience and connections he has gained and plans to pursue a medical career specializing in oncology.

“Through my successes and failures during the program, I developed tenacity in the face of setbacks and learned how to view myself critically in the name of self-improvement. The path ahead of me is sure to be full of obstacles, but this internship has surely provided me some tools to succeed in my future career,” said Dieu.

He lives by a personal quote that says, “Nothing good comes from lying to yourself; be truthful and genuine in your intent, be concise, and you will surely succeed.”

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