HumAnes of UCLA: Eileen Nguyen, MD, PhD

First of all, welcome to CA-1 year! How has it been going? Has anything surprised you about residency so far? 

Thank you! I really enjoyed the transition to CA-1 year. It has been a lot of fun meeting and learning from other residents and faculty in our department after spending a year at the VA. Admittedly, I was a little nervous because I had never pulled an all-nighter prior to residency. However, I was surprised by how quickly the time can pass on a 24-hour call when there are good snacks, interesting cases, and a supportive team.

What are you most looking forward to in the next few years of residency?  

The continued growth. Residency is not easy, but I try to remember that I’m here to learn as much as I can and embrace the idea that this is the safest place to make mistakes to become the best physician I can be.

Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up and what your path was leading to UCLA?

I grew up in Fullerton, and my parents met as undergrads at UCLA, so I naturally came here for my bachelor of science degree as well. I met my husband in high school, and we got married at the LA Natural History Museum in front of the elephants and danced with the dinosaurs! 

Several amazing mentors have shown me the joy of doing science to answer compelling questions in medicine, which inspired my decision to become a physician-scientist. I found the field of anesthesiology fascinating in medical school and then my research happened to intersect with pain and itch, which made this specialty choice a no-brainer. After spending nearly a decade on the East Coast, my husband and I decided to return to SoCal for this next chapter of our lives. Our son was born at UCLA a few months into intern year, and we couldn’t be happier to be close to our families.

Can you share some more about your research and what you’re working on (if it’s not top secret)?

In graduate school, I studied how neurons containing opioid receptors in the brainstem and spinal cord modulate pain and itch. We used viral and genetic techniques to selectively manipulate neural pathways in naturally behaving mice. We figured out, for example, that neuraxial opioids cause itch by a mechanism of neuronal disinhibition (opioids inhibit spinal dynorphin neurons that tonically function to inhibit itch). In a second area of research, I studied endogenous pathways involved in the descending modulation of pain. As a research track resident, I plan to continue conducting neuroscience research here! 

According to your resident profile, one of your interests is turtles. Can you expand on that?

I am obsessed with all things related to turtles and tortoises! I am in awe of these ancient creatures that are also cultural symbols of peace, wisdom, and longevity. I have a collection of over two hundred turtle figurines. My family also had two giant sulcata tortoises that were recently rehomed to a 30-acre farm in Texas. I miss them, but I know they’re much happier to have more space to roam. 

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?

Hopping on the Peloton, going for a walk, and entertaining my baby.

I see that you enjoy eating spicy foods around the world. What's your favorite spicy dish? Do you have a favorite spicy food destination?

Vietnamese dishes are often eaten with a side of dipping sauce that combines fish sauce, lime juice, and chilis. I eat this several times a week! Other dishes I like range from mala chicken, papaya salad, habanero salsa, to vindaloo. It is a dream of mine to someday travel to India on foodie adventures but that may have to wait until after residency. 

What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried, and would you eat it again?

I once licked an ant butt in an Australian rainforest. It tasted like fresh lime juice, but I would probably not eat it again. 

Any fun vacations planned this year?

My whole family went on a trip to Hawaii this summer with our infant. It was so cute to see him giggling while splashing in the ocean for the first time. No plans yet for next summer, but I welcome recommendations for places that are within 6-8 hours flying distance from LA! 

What would your job/career be if you didn’t go into medicine?

Realistically, I would have probably continued doing basic science research had I not finished medical school. My dream retirement job, though, is to operate a small ice cream stand somewhere in the Northeast in the summertime. I would make one batch of ice cream a day and close when I sell out.  

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?

Baking. I have a tendency to get creative when baking, which almost never works out.