Dr. Diep Van Nguyen | Disease | Best Researcher Award
Director atΒ AVAC Vietnam Joint stock Company, Vietnam
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen is a visionary leader, scientist, and entrepreneur in veterinary vaccine development. He is currently the CEO and Director of the Center for Research and Development of Veterinary Vaccines at AVAC Viet Nam JSC, a leading company in animal health. With over 17 years of experience, Dr. Nguyen has spearheaded innovative vaccine projects, improved disease prevention strategies, and expanded global partnerships across Asia and Europe. He earned international recognition for his contributions to swine viral disease research and has published widely in high-impact journals. Dr. Nguyen holds a PhD from Miyazaki University (Japan) and has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Kagoshima University. His leadership is grounded in science, innovation, and collaboration. Under his guidance, AVAC has become a cornerstone in Vietnam’s veterinary biotechnology sector. His contributions to ASF, PRRS, and PED vaccine research have positioned him as a global figure in veterinary immunology and biopharmaceutical innovation.
Professional Profile
Education 
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen began his academic journey at Vietnam National University of Agriculture, where he earned both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2001β2006) and Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine (2007β2009). Pursuing advanced scientific training, he secured the prestigious Monbukagakusho Scholarship to complete his PhD in Veterinary Medicine at Miyazaki University, Japan (2013β2018). His doctoral studies focused on the molecular epidemiology of porcine epidemic diseases. Further honing his research expertise, Dr. Nguyen worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Kagoshima University (2018β2021), delving into gene-editing technologies and viral diagnostics. This internationally diverse education provided him with advanced insights into swine viral pathology and vaccine technology, laying the foundation for his impactful leadership in vaccine development. His academic background bridges Vietnamese clinical realities and Japanese research excellence, shaping his future innovations in veterinary medicine.
Work Experience
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen has cultivated a robust career that combines academia, research, and executive leadership. He began as a lecturer and researcher at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, guiding students and participating in multiple international research collaborations. In 2021, he became the CEO of AVAC Viet Nam JSC, where he also leads the Center for Research and Development of Veterinary Vaccines. Under his leadership, AVAC launched pioneering products like AVAC ASF LIVE, PRRS LIVE, and LSD LIVE vaccines. He directed cross-border collaborations with international partners in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and beyond. Dr. Nguyen’s work integrates regulatory compliance, scientific innovation, and commercial execution. Heβs also contributed to internal process optimization and international patent submissions. His hands-on involvement in product development, strategic growth, and global networking has elevated Vietnamβs standing in veterinary pharmaceutical innovation.
π Awards & Honors
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen has received notable national and international recognitions for his academic and scientific excellence. He was awarded the Best Student Award at the prestigious 7th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases (ISERPD 2015, Japan) for his contributions to swine viral epidemiology. From 2013 to 2018, he was a recipient of the Monbukagakusho Scholarship, Japanβs elite government-funded program for international scholars. In 2024, he received the distinguished Bao Son Prize, one of Vietnamβs top honors for scientific innovation and public service. These accolades reflect his deep commitment to combating viral diseases in livestock and his pioneering role in developing commercial vaccines. His recognition spans academic, industrial, and policy-making spheres, underscoring the impact of his research and leadership on both national food security and global animal health systems.
Research Focus
Dr. Nguyenβs research centers on swine viral diseases, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED). His core focus lies in the development of live-attenuated vaccines, viral genome sequencing, and molecular epidemiology. He is also actively advancing gene-editing techniques, specifically for creating robust viral vaccine platforms. His contributions include leading the creation of immortalized cell lines (e.g., DMAC) for effective virus propagation, submitting patents for novel vaccine strains, and evaluating cross-protection efficacy. His research integrates field-based outbreak data with laboratory innovations to develop scalable solutions for endemic and emerging diseases. Dr. Nguyenβs long-term vision is to provide affordable, effective, and globally deployable veterinary vaccines while maintaining strong regulatory standards and cross-national research collaborations.
SkillsΒ
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen possesses an exceptional mix of scientific, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills. His technical expertise includes gene-editing, molecular diagnostics, vaccine strain development, and cell line engineering. He is adept in strategic planning, product innovation, R&D leadership, and vaccine commercialization. As CEO, he oversees financial planning, regulatory compliance, market analysis, and strategic partnerships with global veterinary health companies. His communication fluency in English and intermediate proficiency in Japanese enable him to collaborate across borders effectively. He also leads cross-functional teams and drives innovation in disease prevention solutions. His contributions in regulatory navigation, grant acquisition, scientific publishing, and international presentations make him a sought-after expert in the veterinary vaccine industry. Additionally, Dr. Nguyenβs strength lies in uniting academic rigor with real-world applications, driving impactful outcomes in livestock health and food security.
Conclusion
Dr. Diep Van Nguyen is exceptionally suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His visionary leadership, coupled with groundbreaking research and successful commercialization of vaccines, makes him a model scientist bridging academic excellence with real-world impact. His innovations in combating African Swine Fever and other major livestock diseases contribute to both regional food security and global animal health. A recognized scientific leader in Southeast Asia, Dr. Nguyen is not only advancing knowledge but also transforming veterinary public health systems.
Publications to Noted
Title: Establishment of an Immortalized Porcine Alveolar Macrophage Cell Line That Supports Efficient Replication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Viruses
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Diep NV, Hayakawa-Sugaya Y, Ishikawa S, Kawaguchi H, Suda Y, Esaki M, Ozawa M
π Year: 2024
π Citations: 2
Title: Genotype II Live-Attenuated ASFV Vaccine Strains Unable to Completely Protect Pigs against the Emerging Recombinant ASFV Genotype I/II Strain in Vietnam
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Diep NV, Duc NV, Ngoc NT, Dang VX, Tiep TN, Nguyen VD, Le VP
π Year: 2024
π Citations: 4
Title: Multiple variants of African swine fever virus circulating in Vietnam
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Nguyen VT, Cho KH, Mai NTA, Park JY, Trinh TBN, Jang MK, Le VP
π Year: 2022
π Citations: 25
Title: Newly-designed primer pairs for the detection of type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus genes
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Fukunaga W, Hayakawa-Sugaya Y, Koike F, Van Diep N, Kojima I, Yoshida Y, Ozawa M
π Year: 2021
π Citations: 12
Title: Pathology of the outbreak of subgenotype 2.5 classical swine fever virus in northern Vietnam
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Izzati UZ, Hoa NT, Lan NT, Diep NV, Fuke N, Hirai T, Yamaguchi R
π Year: 2021
π Citations: 17
Title: O/SEA/Mya-98 lineage foot-and-mouth disease virus was responsible for an extensive epidemic in Vietnam
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Van Diep N, Ngoc TTB, Hoa LQ, Nga BTT, Kang B, Oh J, Le VP
π Year: 2020
π Citations: 9
Title: New tropisms of PEDV in pigs naturally coinfected with variants bearing deletions in the spike protein
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Van Diep N, Choijookhuu N, Fuke N, Myint O, Izzati UZ, Suwanruengsri M, Yamaguchi R
π Year: 2020
π Citations: 32
Title: Severe degenerative changes in cryptorchid testes in Japanese black cattle
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Fuke N, Kitahara G, Ito S, Van Diep N, Ping Teh AP, Izzati UZ, Yamaguchi R
π Year: 2020
π Citations: 14
Title: Development of indirect ELISA for detection of PEDV-specific antibodies (IgG) in naturally infected pigs
π§βπ€βπ§ Authors: Myint O, Yoshida A, Sekiguchi S, Van Diep N, Fuke N, Izzati UZ, Yamaguchi R
π Year: 2019
π Citations: 28