Lecturer at Vietnam Military Medical University, Vietnam
Van Thu Nguyen is a dedicated Lecturer at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, Vietnam Military Medical University. With a strong academic foundation in pharmacognosy and natural products chemistry, she has built a career focused on exploring the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds. After earning her Bachelor’s in Pharmacy from Vietnam Military Medical University (2001–2007), she advanced her studies with a Master’s and Ph.D. at the Catholic University of Daegu, Korea. Dr. Nguyen’s research specializes in isolating anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective compounds from medicinal plants such as Ganoderma lucidum and Huperzia species. Her investigations extend to essential oils, supporting their role as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. With a blend of rigorous lab work and practical pharmaceutical development, she contributes to innovative drug and cosmetic formulations. Her efforts are paving the way for safer, plant-based therapies and sustainable healthcare solutions.
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Van Thu Nguyen holds a comprehensive educational background in pharmaceutical sciences. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University (2001–2007), laying the groundwork in clinical and medicinal pharmacy. Eager to explore natural remedies, she pursued higher education in Korea, where she earned a Master’s degree in Pharmacognosy from the Catholic University of Daegu (2011–2013). Her master’s research introduced her to plant-based compounds and their pharmaceutical relevance. Inspired to deepen her scientific inquiry, she continued at the same institution to obtain her Ph.D. (2013–2017), specializing in natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy. Her doctoral work focused on the isolation and structural analysis of bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, establishing her expertise in the chemistry of natural therapeutics. This solid academic trajectory has empowered her to contribute meaningfully to pharmaceutical education and research at an international level.
👨💼 Experience
Van Thu Nguyen holds a comprehensive educational background in pharmaceutical sciences. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University (2001–2007), laying the groundwork in clinical and medicinal pharmacy. Eager to explore natural remedies, she pursued higher education in Korea, where she earned a Master’s degree in Pharmacognosy from the Catholic University of Daegu (2011–2013). Her master’s research introduced her to plant-based compounds and their pharmaceutical relevance. Inspired to deepen her scientific inquiry, she continued at the same institution to obtain her Ph.D. (2013–2017), specializing in natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy. Her doctoral work focused on the isolation and structural analysis of bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, establishing her expertise in the chemistry of natural therapeutics. This solid academic trajectory has empowered her to contribute meaningfully to pharmaceutical education and research at an international level.
🔬 Research Interest
Van Thu Nguyen’s research is rooted in pharmacognosy and natural products chemistry, focusing on the extraction, purification, and structural characterization of secondary metabolites from medicinal plants. Her work has successfully isolated anti-inflammatory compounds from Ganoderma lucidum and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Huperzia species, contributing to treatments for inflammatory diseases and Alzheimer’s. In addition, she studies the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils, examining their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential. Her research integrates modern analytical techniques with traditional medicinal knowledge to advance plant-based drug discovery. She is also engaged in drug formulation development, including pre-formulation, stability testing, and packaging compatibility studies. Dr. Nguyen’s interdisciplinary approach spans chemistry, pharmacology, and product development, aiming to translate bioactive natural compounds into functional drugs and cosmetics. Her research is not only scientifically valuable but also aligns with global trends in green chemistry and sustainable healthcare innovations.
Conclusion
Dr. Van Thu Nguyen is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, especially within the natural products and pharmacognosy sector. Her consistent focus on therapeutic compounds derived from medicinal plants, combined with her academic rigor and translational approach, marks her as a valuable contributor to modern pharmaceutical sciences. While expansion in collaborative efforts and public visibility would further enhance her profile, her current achievements make her highly deserving of recognition.
📚Top Noted Publications
Title: Anti-inflammatory and heme oxygenase-1 inducing activities of lanostane triterpenes isolated from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum in RAW264.7 cells
Authors: S Choi, N Tae, S Lee, S Ryoo, BS Min, JH Lee
Citations: 93
Year: 2014
Title: Cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects of lanostane triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: NT Tung, TD Cuong, TM Hung, JA Kim, MH Woo, JS Choi, JH Lee, …
Citations: 67
Year: 2015
Title: Antifungal activity of sterols and dipsacus saponins isolated from Dipsacus asper roots against phytopathogenic fungi
Authors: NH Choi, JY Jang, GJ Choi, YH Choi, KS Jang, VT Nguyen, BS Min, …
Citations: 60
Year: 2017
Title: Anti-inflammatory activities of compounds from twigs of Morus alba
Authors: HNK Tran, JA Kim, SS Rho, MH Woo, JS Choi, JH Lee, BS Min
Citations: 43
Year: 2017
Title: Isolation of cholinesterase and β-secretase 1 inhibiting compounds from Lycopodiella cernua
Authors: DC To, MH Tran, SH Oh, JA Kim, MY Ali, MH Woo, JS Choi, BS Min
Citations: 39
Year: 2015
Title: Chemical constituents from the fruits of Ligustrum japonicum and their inhibitory effects on T cell activation
Authors: QMT Ngo, HS Lee, JA Kim, MH Woo, BS Min
Citations: 38
Year: 2017
Title: Phenolic compounds from Caesalpinia sappan
Authors: VB Nguyen, BD Vu, GK Pham, BQ Le, VC Nguyen, C Van Men, …
Citations: 20
Year: 2020
Title: Anti-inflammatory Compounds from Ampelopsis cantoniensis
Authors: N Van Thu, D Cuong, TM Hung, H Van Luong, MH Woo, JS Choi, JH Lee, …
Citations: 20
Year: 2015
Title: Anti-inflammatory activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the leaves of Madhuca pasquieri (Dubard)
Authors: SH Le, MH Tran, JS Lee, DC To, TN Van, JA Kim, JH Lee, MH Woo, …
Citations: 19
Year: 2015
Title: Inhibitory effects of serratene-type triterpenoids from Lycopodium complanatum on cholinesterases and β-secretase 1
Authors: BT Zhao, SH Seong, JA Kim, MH Woo, JS Choi, BS Min
Citations: 16
Year: 2017