Full Scholarship
Breaking beyond his own limits, Dr. Dung Huynh's journey stands as a powerful source of inspiration for anyone who has ever doubted the academic or scientific path. “Just keep going, and you will arrive” — the dream of a Vietnamese scientist reaching out to the world has become a reality, as he now contributes directly to vaccine research and development at one of the world’s leading academic institutions: the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
With over a decade of dedication — from lecture halls to biotech companies, from Vietnam to South Korea, then The Netherlands, and now the UK — he has journeyed across continents, accumulating invaluable knowledge and experience. Even as a Postdoctoral Scientist at Oxford, a symbol of global academic excellence, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of science. His ultimate goal: to become a leading expert in developing next-generation vaccine technologies that combat infectious diseases and cancer.
09/2019 – 08/2023 || VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT AMSTERDAM (VU AMSTERDAM), THE NETHERLANDS
PhD in Molecular Microbiology & Vaccinology (Fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Scholarship, EU)
03/2017 – 02/2019 || CHUNGNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, SOUTH KOREA
MSc in Molecular Microbiology & Vaccinology (Fully funded by the Brain Korea 21 Scholarship)
09/2011 – 08/2015 || UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
BSc in Molecular Biology & Immunology
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (Ranked #1 globally by Times Higher Education 2025).
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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, United States (An R1-designated research university in the U.S.; declined the offer).
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Fully Funded PhD Scholarship under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Innovative Training Networks (MSCA-ITN), awarded by the European Union, at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Top 10 among research universities in the Netherlands).
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Fully Funded MSc Scholarship awarded by the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Government Program at Chungnam National University, South Korea (Top 5 national university in South Korea).
AWARDS & HONORS
- Sep 2019 – Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowship, EU-Funded Innovative Training Network (ITN)
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Nov 2018 – Scholarship for Outstanding Students, Vietnam and Korea Peace Medics
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Mar 2017 – Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Full Scholarship for MSc Program, Chungnam National University, South Korea
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Jan 2015 – Full Scholarship for Molecular Biology Course, University of Tsukuba, Japan
University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Scientist | 08/2024 – 04/2025
• Assisted in process development of gonococcal OMV-based vaccine production
• Conducted stability and formulation studies for OMV vaccine candidates
• Designed and performed preclinical studies using various mouse strains
• Optimized and qualified analytical methods to assess immune responses
• Drafted SOPs and laboratory analysis plans for Phase I clinical studies
• Managed and trained research assistants in specialized methodologies
• Collaborated with internal and external partners
• Presented research findings at seminars and conferences
Intravacc B.V., Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Scientist | 09/2023 – 05/2024
• Contributed to process development of meningococcal OMV-based vaccines
• Developed and qualified analytical methods for vaccine characterization
• Designed and executed assay validation studies in line with ICH/FDA guidelines
• Supervised technicians in biochemical, biophysical, and immunological method development
• Authored and reviewed assay protocols, development reports, study plans, and project proposals
Abera Bioscience AB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Marie-Curie PhD Fellow | 09/2019 – 08/2023
• Engineered vaccine platforms using bacterial OMVs and protein bodies (PBs)
• Optimized and characterized expression of chlamydial antigens in vaccine platforms
• Performed immunogenicity and challenge studies in murine models
• Authored and reviewed scientific documents: protocols, reports, manuscripts
• Provided technical support to technicians and mentored intern students
Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
Research Assistant | 09/2016 – 08/2019
• Developed Lactobacillus casei-based mucosal vaccines against influenza
• Investigated vaccines for cancer-induced skeletal muscle wasting
• Conducted preclinical studies using animal models
• Monitored literature in key research areas
• Authored reports and published peer-reviewed scientific articles
Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
Research Assistant | 09/2015 – 08/2016
• Contributed to studies on Vibrio vulnificus pathogenesis
• Purified flagellin-adjuvanted mucosal vaccines against Norovirus
• Conducted preclinical studies using mouse and rat models
• Assisted in immunoassay development
Huynh, D. T., Nolfi, E., Guleed, S., Medfai, L., Wolf, N., Uijen, R. F., De Jonge, M. I., Van Ulsen, P., Dietrich, J., Luirink, J., Sijts, A. J. A. M., & Jong, W. S. P. (2024). Intradermal administration of novel particulate Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine candidates drives protective immune responses. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 180, 117563.
Huynh, D. T., Nolfi, E., Medfai, L., Van Ulsen, P., Jong, W. S. P., Sijts, A. J. A. M., & Luirink, J. (2024). Intranasal delivery of Salmonella OMVs decorated with Chlamydia trachomatis antigens induces specific local and systemic immune responses. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 20(1).
Andreacchio, G., Longo, Y., Mascaraque, S. M., Anandasothy, K., Tofan, S., Özün, E., Wilschrey, L., Ptok, J., Huynh, D. T., Luirink, J., & Drexler, I. (2024). Viral vector-based Chlamydia trachomatis vaccines encoding CTH522 induce distinct immune responses in C57BL/6J and HLA transgenic mice. Vaccines, 12(8), 1–22.
Huynh, D. T., Chathuranga, W. A. G., Chathuranga, K., Lee, J. S., & Kim, C. J. (2023). Mucosal administration of Lactobacillus casei surface-displayed HA1 induces protective immune responses against avian influenza A virus in mice. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 34(3), 1–11.
Huynh, D. T., Jong, W. S. P., Oudejans, M. A. H., Van Den Berg Van Saparoea, H. B., Luirink, J., & Van Ulsen, P. (2023). Heterologous display of Chlamydia trachomatis PmpD passenger at the surface of Salmonella OMVs. Membranes, 13, 366.
Huynh, D. T., Jong, W. S. P., Koningstein, G. M., Van Ulsen, P., & Luirink, J. (2022). Overexpression of the Bam complex improves the production of Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP in the E. coli outer membrane. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 7393.
Phan, T. H., Kuijl, C., Huynh, D. T., Jong, W. S. P., Luirink, J., & Van Ulsen, P. (2021). Overproducing the Bam complex improves secretion of difficult-to-secrete recombinant autotransporter chimeras. Microbial Cell Factories, 20, 176.
PARTICIPATED PROJECTS
08/2024 – 04/2025 — Development of OMV-Based Vaccine against Gonorrhea
Funding: CARB-X (USD 5.3 million)
09/2023 – 05/2024 — Development of Intranasal Vaccine against Gonorrhea
Funding: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA (USD 14.6 million)
09/2019 – 08/2023 — Development of Novel Vaccine Vectors against Chlamydia
Funding: European Union (EUR 2.7 million)
CERTIFICATES & LICENSES
12/2024 — Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certificate for supporting clinical trials in the UK
11/2024 — Human Tissue Act (HTA) Legislation Certificate, United Kingdom
10/2024 — Personal Licence for conducting animal experiments (mice), United Kingdom
11/2023 — Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificate, European Union
10/2023 — Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Certificate, European Union
Other Mentors
