Honors & Awards


  • Quad Fellowship, the Institute of International Education (2024)
  • Arc Institute Fellowship, Arc Institute (2022)
  • Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) Doctoral Fellowship, Stanford University (2022)
  • Chevening Full Scholarship (£40,000) for the study at the University of Cambridge, The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Cambridge Trust (2019)
  • Honda Y-E-S Award, Honda Foundation (2018)

Education & Certifications


  • B.Eng., International University - Vietnam National University HCMC, Biomedical Engineering (2018)
  • MPhil, University of Cambridge, Therapeutic Science (2020)

All Publications


  • Anticoagulation properties of virgin coconut oil-loaded electrospun polyurethane/polycaprolactone membrane MATERIALS LETTERS Huy Nguyen, Nghi Nguyen, Nam Tran, Thien Nguyen, Quang Nguyen, Thang Phan, Hanh Ta, Toi Vo, Thi-Hiep Nguyen 2022; 320
  • The Efficacy of Silver-Based Electrospun Antimicrobial Dressing in Accelerating the Regeneration of Partial Thickness Burn Wounds Using a Porcine Model POLYMERS Do, T., Nguyen, T., Minh Hieu Ho, Nguyen, N., Thai Minh Do, Dai Tan Vo, Hua, H., Thang Bach Phan, Tran, P. A., Nguyen, H., Toi Van Vo, Nguyen, T. 2021; 13 (18)

    Abstract

    (1) Background: Wounds with damages to the subcutaneous are difficult to regenerate because of the tissue damages and complications such as bacterial infection. (2) Methods: In this study, we created burn wounds on pigs and investigated the efficacy of three biomaterials: polycaprolactone-gelatin-silver membrane (PCLGelAg) and two commercial burn dressings, Aquacel® Ag and UrgoTulTM silver sulfadiazine. In vitro long-term antibacterial property and in vivo wound healing performance were investigated. Agar diffusion assays were employed to evaluate bacterial inhibition at different time intervals. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill assays were used to compare antibacterial strength among samples. Second-degree burn wounds in the pig model were designed to evaluate the efficiency of all dressings in supporting the wound healing process. (3) Results: The results showed that PCLGelAg membrane was the most effective in killing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria bacteria with the lowest MBC value. All three dressings (PCLGelAg, Aquacel, and UrgoTul) exhibited bactericidal effect during the first 24 h, supported wound healing as well as prevented infection and inflammation. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the PCLGelAg membrane is a practical solution for the treatment of severe burn injury and other infection-related skin complications.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/polym13183116

    View details for Web of Science ID 000701202300001

    View details for PubMedID 34578017

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8469778

  • Controlling Antibiotic Release from Polymethylmethacrylate Bone Cement BIOMEDICINES Wall, V., Nguyen, T., Nguyen, N., Tran, P. A. 2021; 9 (1)

    Abstract

    Bone cement is used as a mortar for securing bone implants, as bone void fillers or as spacers in orthopaedic surgery. Antibiotic-loaded bone cements (ALBCs) have been used to prevent and treat prosthetic joint infections by providing a high antibiotic concentration around the implanted prosthesis. High antibiotic concentrations are, on the other hand, often associated with tissue toxicity. Controlling antibiotic release from ALBCS is key to achieving effective infection control and promoting prosthesis integration with the surrounding bone tissue. However, current ALBCs still need significant improvement in regulating antibiotic release. In this review, we first provide a brief introduction to prosthetic joint infections, and the background concepts of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity in antibiotics. We then review the current state of ALBCs and their release characteristics before focusing on the research and development in controlling the antibiotic release and osteo-conductivity/inductivity. We then conclude by a discussion on the need for better in vitro experiment designs such that the release results can be extrapolated to predict better the local antibiotic concentrations in vivo.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/biomedicines9010026

    View details for Web of Science ID 000609851000001

    View details for PubMedID 33401484

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7824110

  • Fabrication of injectable bone substitute loading porous simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS AND POLYMERIC BIOMATERIALS Nam Minh-Phuong Tran, Nhi Thao-Ngoc Dang, Nghi Thi-Phuong Nguyen, Long Vuong-Hoang Nguyen, Tran Ngoc Quyen, Tran, P. A., Lee, B., Nguyen Thi Hiep 2020; 69 (6): 351-362
  • The effect of oxidation degree and volume ratio of components on properties and applications of in situ cross-linking hydrogels based on chitosan and hyaluronic acid MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS Nghi Thi-Phuong Nguyen, Long Vuong-Hoang Nguyen, Nam Minh-Phuong Tran, Dat Tan Nguyen, Tien Ngoc-Thuy Nguyen, Hien Anh Tran, Nhi Ngoc-Thao Dang, Toi Van Vo, Thi-Hiep Nguyen 2019; 103: 109670

    Abstract

    The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of different oxidation degrees and volume ratios of components on the physical properties and biocompatibility of an in situ cross-linking chitosan-hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel for skin wound healing applications. Carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COOH) were introduced to the polymer chain of chitosan, producing N,O - Carboxymethyl Chitosan (NOCC). Hyaluronic acid was oxidized to obtain aldehyde hyaluronic acid (AHA) with three oxidation degrees (AHA40, AHA50 and AHA60). The gelation was induced by forming Schiff base linkage between aldehyde groups of AHA and amino groups of NOCC. Then, the polysaccharide derivatives were combined at three NOCC:AHA volume ratios (3:7, 5:5 and 7:3) to form composite hydrogels without using any additional cross-linker. FT-IR analysis, surface morphology observation and wettability test, in vitro degradation test and rheological analysis were carried out to characterize the hydrogels. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo wound healing evaluations were also conducted to study the biocompatibility of the composite. Our findings showed that when increasing the volume of NOCC, the homogeneity and hydrophobicity of the resulting hydrogels were also improved and their pore walls became thicker, leading to slower degradation rate. On the other hand, when raising the oxidation degree of AHA, the hydrophilicity of the gels decreased and less time was required to form the gel matrix. Besides, the obtained in vitro and in vivo results indicated that lower oxidation degree of AHA supports cell proliferation, cell attachment and wound healing process better. It is also concluded that NOCC-AHA40 5:5 hydrogel is most suitable for skin wound healing applications since it possesses superior morphology with high uniformity, favorable pore size and suitable density along with appropriate wettability. The NOCC-AHA gel matrix is expected to be used as a delivery system for other factors and employed as an effective bio-glue in further tissue engineering applications.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.msec.2019.04.049

    View details for Web of Science ID 000480664900018

    View details for PubMedID 31349450

  • Stabilization of silver nanoparticles in chitosan and gelatin hydrogel and its applications MATERIALS LETTERS Nghi Thi-Phuong Nguyen, Long Vuong-Hoang Nguyen, Nhi Tra Thanh, Vo Van Toi, Tran Ngoc Quyen, Tran, P. A., Wang, H., Thi-Hiep Nguyen 2019; 248: 241-245
  • Gelatin-stabilized composites of silver nanoparticles and curcumin: characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant study SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS Ly Loan Khanh, Nguyen Thanh Truc, Nguyen Tan Dat, Nguyen Thi Phuong Nghi, Vo Van Toi, Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, Tran Ngoc Quye, Tran Thi Thanh Loa, Nguyen Thi Hiep 2019; 20 (1): 276-290

    Abstract

    This is a preliminary study of a material comprising gelatin (Gel), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and curcumin (Cur) aimed for wound-healing treatment. Gelatin was used to stabilize AgNPs and encapsulate curcumin to form a therapeutic composite (GelCurAg) for their strong bactericidal and antioxidant properties. GelCurAg formulations with different gelatin concentrations were characterized to attain information about their physiochemical properties and the loading efficiency of therapeutic agents. In vitro assessment of GelCurAg focused on antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic aspects. The results suggested that Gel1CurAg (synthesized from 1% gelatin solution) could be utilized as potential therapeutic agents in treating infectious wound owing to its bactericidal and antioxidant effects and low toxicity for clinical uses.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/14686996.2019.1585131

    View details for Web of Science ID 000462775300001

    View details for PubMedID 31068981

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6484479