The Transition Program in Clinical Research (TPCR), housed in laboratories in Rockville and at the NIAID International Center of Excellence in Research (ICER) Cambodia, integrates innovative ideas like vector-targeted immunological strategies and cutting-edge technologies like pathogen metagenomic sequencing into traditional epidemiological studies in Southeast Asia. Together, the team aims to apply and translate our findings to inform public health and disease prevention measures like vector control as well as vaccine development and implementation.
Jessica E. Manning, M.D., M.Sc.
Assistant Clinical Investigator, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
Science Attaché, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh and NIAID ICER CAMBODIA
Specialty(s): Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center
Education:
M.D., Emory University School of Medicine
M.Sc., Harvard School of Public Health
Sophana Chea (He/Him/His)
Laboratory Manager
Education:
Master of Medical Biology, University of Health Sciences
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Mr. Sophana has worked on molecular biology work in pathogen metagenomic NGS in febrile patients, bats, macaques and dengue microbiome; the mNGS identification of the AMR gene maker and the immunology work in the Aedes Saliva ELISA, DENV ZIKV PRNT.
Cheata Hou (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Laboratory Technician
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences.
Languages Spoken: Khmer, Mandarin, French
Ms. Cheata has performed molecular work on DNA/RNA extraction, realtime RT-PCR, cDNA library preparation, metagenomic next generation sequencing. Her work is also to maintain bio-specimen inventory including updated spreadsheets for locating all samples generated from fields sites or laboratory assays.
Sreyngim Lay (She/Her/Hers)
Sequencing Lead Technician
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Ms. Sreyngim has worked on pathogen metagenomic next-generation sequencing in febrile patients, bat, macaque. AMR maker identification using mNGS. She’s interested in molecular biology research.
Chanthap Lon (He/Him/His)
Medical Research Scientist/Chief Field Operation
Education:
Doctor of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Master of Clinical Tro-Med, Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Dr. Chanthap has more than 12 years of experiences in the clinical research of malaria, influenza, diarrhea, and other mosquito-borne diseases in Cambodia as Chief of field Operation and he has served as principal investigator (PI) or co-investigator of more than 15 operational research and clinical trials, including IND and placebo studies, which adhere to the principles of GCP/GLP and abide by international norms for human subject protection.
Piseth Ly (She/Her/Hers)
Laboratory Technician
Education:
Master of Management, National University of Management
Bachelor’s degree, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Western University
Associate degree, Medical Lab Technology, University of Health Science
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Sokna Ly (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Field Coordinator
Education:
Diploma in Midwifery, Chenla University
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Ms. Sokna is a Clinical Field Coordinator under CNM CA for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of Health, working on different studies of IDseq, PAGODA, PINCH, and eASIA.
Somnang Man (He/Him/His)
Laboratory Technician
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Mr. Somnang has worked on PRNT, PBMC, ELISA and inventory management.
Sreynik Nhek (She/Her/Hers)
Laboratory Technician
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Ms. Sreynik has worked on dissect mosquito salivary gland for use in ELISA, western blots, and sequencing. Her work is also to perform ELISA assays, western blots, protein quantification, and other procedures in the laboratory for the project such as PAGODAS, IDSEQ, eASIA and PINCH.
Fabiano Oliveira, M.D., Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Associate Scientist, Staff Scientist
Education:
M.D., Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
Ph.D., Human Pathology, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Spanish
Vunsokserey Ou (He/Him/His)
Data Manager
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Computer Science and Engineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Mr. Serey has worked on daily check of data quality of project study, data extractions based on the requirement and coordinated with teamwork in terms of data capture through an online database or other work-related.
Mengheng Oum (He/Him/His)
Laboratory Technician
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Mr. Mengheng has worked on pathogen metagenomic next-generation sequencing in febrile patients, bat, macaque. AMR maker identification using mNGS. He’s interested in molecular biology research.
Andrea R. Pacheco, B.A. (She/Her/Hers)
Post-baccalaureate Research Fellow
Education:
B.A., Medicine, Literature & Society, Columbia University
Languages Spoken: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic
Ms. Andrea has contributed to data analysis, manuscript preparation, and implementation of location history tracking strategies for several protocols.
Samphors Pho (She/Her/Hers)
Office Manager
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Banking and Finance & English for Business, Royal University of Law and Economics
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Roberto M. Salas-Carrillo, B.S. (He/Him/His)
Post-bacc IRTA
Education:
B.S., Microbiology, The University of Texas at El Paso
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Ratanak Sath (He/Him/His)
Clinical Field Coordinator
Education:
Associate degree, Laboratory, Chenla University
Languages Spoken: Khmer, Chinese
Mr. Ratanak is a Clinical Coordinator of National Institute of Health (NIH), working on collecting samples at the field, communicating, and coordinating with patients, hospital staff and community.
Sothy Soeung, M.B.A. (She/Her/Hers)
Public Health Admin Management Assistant
Education:
M.B.A., Asian Institute of Technology
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Gechlang Tang, B.S. (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Laboratory Technician
Education:
Bachelor's degree, Bioengineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh
Languages Spoken: Khmer, Mandarin
Ms. Gechlang has performed molecular work: DNA/RNA extraction, real-time PCR, cDNA library preparation, metagenomic next-generation sequencing and maintained the bio-specimen and supply inventory. Her work is also to analyze data and prepare monthly reports of results.
Kevin Tang, B.S. (He/Him/His)
Postbaccalaureate IRTA
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, Bioinformatics, Hunter College
Kevin is a postbac at the Manning Lab, investigating the effects of mosquito saliva proteins on the human immune system. He graduated in 2018 from Hunter College with a degree in Bioinformatics. Before coming to the NIH, he received a Fulbright award to conduct chemistry research in Jordan. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, rowing, and exploring DC.
Rathna Tim, B.S. (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Nurse
Education:
B.S., Nursing, International University
Languages Spoken: Khmer
Ms. Rathna has worked on characterization of febrile disease landscape in Cambodia via metagenomic pathogen sequencing.
Christina Yek, M.B.B.Ch. (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Fellow
Education:
M.B.B.Ch., University of Cambridge
Languages Spoken: Spanish, Catalan, Mandarin
Dr. Christina is using (metagenomic) next-generation sequencing and serologic tests to study the epidemiology of various infectious diseases (arboviral disease, zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance) in Cambodia.
Laura Willen, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Parasitology, Charles University
Languages Spoken: Dutch, French, German
