Biomedical Sciences
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.
PhD, Molecular Microbiology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands | 2019–2023
MSc, Preventive Veterinary Medical Science
Chungnam National University, South Korea | 2017–2019
BSc, Biotechnology
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 2011–2015
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (Ranked #1 globally by Times Higher Education 2025).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- Deliver lectures for undergraduate and graduate students
- Support new major/program development, examinations, and faculty academic activities
- Identify research grant opportunities
- Lead R&D activities related to vaccine platforms, monoclonal antibodies, and therapeutic drugs
- Supervise bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students in thesis research
- Designed and conducted mouse preclinical studies (n = 10/group) using intranasal and intravaginal administration
- Achieved a 4-fold increase in SBA vs. control (4CMenB) and 70% protection in challenge studies
- Qualified key assays, including DLS and potency assays, to ICH expectations
- Authored SOPs and study plans supporting the Phase I interface
- Trained 4 research assistants and coordinated with 2 external partners
- Executed ICH/FDA-aligned validation plans; completed 10 reports and 2 assay procedures
- Supervised technicians and transferred 2 methods to QC/production
- Demonstrated protective efficacy in mouse challenge studies and benchmarked candidates against comparators for down-selection
- Improved co-expression of MOMP+Bam, achieving a 4-fold increase in Western blot densitometry
- Led in-vivo immunization, sample processing, and immunological readouts
- Developed research protocols and authored study reports
- Mentored 2 interns
- Achieved a 5-fold increase in serum/mucosal IgA and demonstrated partial protection in challenge studies
- Conducted preclinical models and contributed to peer-reviewed publications
- Purified flagellin as an adjuvant
- Supported norovirus mucosal vaccine studies
Dr. Dung Huynh has contributed to 7 international peer-reviewed publications, including multiple first-author publications in Q1/Q2 journals.
1. 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.; et al.
Intradermal Administration of Novel Particulate Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccine Candidates Drives Protective Immune Responses. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2024, 180, 117563.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117563
2. Huynh, D.T.; Nolfi, E.; Medfai, L.; van Ulsen, P.; Wouter, S.P.; Sijts, A.J.A.M.; Luirink, J.
Intranasal Delivery of Salmonella OMVs Decorated with Chlamydia trachomatis Antigens Induces Specific Local and Systemic Immune Responses. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2024, 20.
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2330768
3. Andreacchio, G.; Longo, Y.; Moreno Mascaraque, S.; Anandasothy, K.; Tofan, S.; Özün, E.; Wilschrey, L.; Ptok, J.; Huynh, D.T.; Luirink, J.; et al.
Viral Vector-Based Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccines Encoding CTH522 Induce Distinct Immune Responses in C57BL/6J and HLA Transgenic Mice. Vaccines, 2024, 12, 1–22.
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080944
4. Huynh, D.T.; Chathuranga, W.A.G.; Chathuranga, K.; Lee, J.-S.; Kim, C.-J.
Mucosal Administration of Lactobacillus casei Surface-Displayed HA1 Induces Protective Immune Responses against Avian Influenza A Virus in Mice. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2023, 34, 1–11.
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2307.07040
5. Huynh, D.T.; Jong, W.S.P.; Oudejans, M.A.H.; van Saparoea, H.B.; Luirink, J.; van Ulsen, P.
Heterologous Display of Chlamydia trachomatis PmpD Passenger at the Surface of Salmonella OMVs. Membranes, 2023, 13, 366.
DOI: 10.3390/membranes13040366
6. Huynh, D.T.; Jong, W.S.P.; Koningstein, G.M.; van Ulsen, P.; Luirink, J.
Overexpression of the Bam Complex Improves the Production of Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP in the E. coli Outer Membrane. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23, 7393.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137393
7. Phan, T.H.; Kuijl, C.; Huynh, D.T.; Jong, W.S.P.; Luirink, J.; van Ulsen, P.
Overproducing the BAM Complex Improves Secretion of Difficult-to-Secrete Recombinant Autotransporter Chimeras. Microbial Cell Factories, 2021, 20, 176.
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01668-2
Funding: CARB-X (USD 5.3 million)
Funding: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA (USD 14.6 million)
Funding: European Union (EUR 2.7 million)
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
In Vivo & Preclinical Research: Mouse genital/respiratory challenge models, immunization, tissue processing
Immunology & Immunoassays: ELISA/ELISpot, ICS/flow cytometry, neutralization assays, SBA, HAI
Molecular & Cell Biology: Construct design, cloning/expression, SDS-PAGE/Western blot, pull-down assays, immunofluorescence microscopy
Analytics & CMC: DLS, BCA, identity/potency assays, method qualification and validation (ICH/FDA)
Data & Structural Modeling: GraphPad Prism (statistical analysis/reporting), Image Lab/GeneSnap, AlphaFold, ChimeraX
Quality & GxP: GLP/GCP/GMP, UK HTA, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN)
Other Mentors
