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Staff Profile

Dr Duy Nguyen

Royal Society Global Talent Researcher and Academic Coordinator

Background

Dr Van Duy Nguyen is a Royal Society-endorsed Global Talent Researcher at Newcastle University, working on interdisciplinary projects that integrate microbiology with data-driven methodologies, including computational biology and chemistry, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and predictive modelling for biological, food, and sustainable material systems.

He obtained his first Science degree (First Class Honours) from Vietnam National University in Hanoi and later completed his PhD in Natural Sciences (Microbiology) at the University of Greifswald, Germany. Bèoe joining Newcastle University, he previously held academic and leadership roles at Nha Trang University, Vietnam, where he served as Associate Professor, research group leader, Programme Leader for BSc and MSc Biotechnology, and Vice Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Environment.

Dr Nguyen has extensive international experience, contributing to teaching and research at higher education institutions across the UK, Portugal, and Thailand. His research integrates microbiology with data-driven approaches, including bioinformatics, applied AI, and engineering biology. His work focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), microbiomes, and novel therapeutics—such as probiotics, bacteriocins, vaccines, and peptides—as well as sustainable food systems and bio-based materials. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles with more than 1,200 citations and has contributed to over 15 funded projects exceeding £2 million.

He has received multiple awards for research and teaching, served as a consultant to the United Nations, and acts as a reviewer and evaluator for major research funding bodies, including EPSRC and NAFOSTED. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a member of several professional organisations, including the Microbiology Society and the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST). He is also Co-Founder and Administrator of the Vietnam–UK Network for Higher Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VUHEIE).


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Research

Research Interests

Dr Nguyen’s research addresses global health and environmental challenges through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. His work focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), disease diagnostics, and the development of antibiotic alternatives, including probiotics, vaccines, and antimicrobial and anticancer peptides. He has a particular interest in gastrointestinal microbiome research, especially Helicobacter pylori, gastric cancer, and biomarker discovery for improved diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. His research also extends to sustainable and resilient food systems and the development of bio-based materials.

His research integrates expertise across biosciences, artificial intelligence, and engineering biology. In biosciences and biomedical sciences, his work encompasses microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiome research, and multi-omics integration supported by bioinformatics and data-driven approaches. In parallel, he applies artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to biological, food, and healthcare systems, focusing on computational biology and chemistry, big data analytics, optimisation, simulation, and predictive modelling.

Within engineering biology, his research includes genetic engineering, microbial biotechnology, and circular chemical and environmental engineering, with a growing emphasis on AI/ML-enabled biotechnological innovation. Across these domains, he is committed to advancing sustainability and translating interdisciplinary research into impactful solutions for biological, food, and healthcare systems.


Current Research Grants

- UKRI-Southeast Asia Collaboration on Infectious Diseases: UK Medical Research Council (MRC) (~£1 Million; Co-lead), Identifying drivers for the emergence and transmission of key human pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam and the Philippines (AMR-VP) (APP42831)”(PI: Prof Hermine Mkrtchyan, University of West London) (2025 - 2028)

- Joint Newton Fund program on Infectious Diseases: UK Medical Research Council (MRC) (£466,981; Co-PI), Helicobacter pylori in Vietnam: Prevalence, AMR & Vaccination (PI: Prof. Simon Cutting, Royal Holloway University of London, UK) and Vietnam Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) (£150K, PI), Development of spore vaccines against Helicobacter pylori (2020-2024)

- British Council (£20K, Co-PI), Vietnam-UK Network of Higher Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Shared Heritage of sustainable University – Industry links, Impactful Research, Digital Education and Academic Mobility (iRDAM) (PI: Dr. Michael Packianather, Cardiff University, UK) (2023)

- Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VinIF) (£200K, PI), Innovative and Smart Agriculture Platform: A Digital Transformation and High Technology Integration for improved Coffee Value Chain and Supply Chain in Vietnam (INNSA) (2021-2024)

- British Council (£20K, Co-I), Education fit for the future: development of a university-industry-government model to deliver industrial placements in international and transnational education. PI: Prof. Raymond Lee, University of Portsmouth (2019)

- British Council (£60K, PI), Transnational Education and Research via the Academic Mobility, Business-University Collaborations and the Joint Postgraduate Programmes in Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TEAM-SIE) (2017-2018)

- National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) (£38K, PI), Molecular screening of potentially anticancer bacteriocins from human microflora using bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches (2015-2018)

- NAFOSTED – UK Academies (PI), Innovative design & development of anticancer bacteriocins from the human microbiome: Big-Data & Bioinformatics (2017-2018)

Teaching

Dr Nguyen is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK, with extensive experience in international higher education. He has designed and delivered undergraduate and postgraduate courses in biotechnology and related fields, and has supervised over 30+ BSc, 20+ MSc, and 5+ PhD students.

His teaching is grounded in a learner-centred approach, combining research-led content with practical laboratory experience to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With over a decade of programme leadership and academic administration experience, he is committed to creating inclusive learning environments and supporting student success.

Publications