Building Better Vaccines: Dr Thitinan Kitisin Explores Tonsil Organoids Models in Thailand
Years of groundwork have led Assistant Professor Dr Thitinan Kitisin to his first major step: leading an advanced vaccine research project in Thailand. With support from MODRA, he’s now developing one of the first tonsil organoid models in the country, a small but important step toward improving how vaccines are tested. Along the way, he’s also passing on practical research skills to the next generation of Thai scientists.
Dr Sulochana Manandhar: Tackling newborn infection risks in Nepal
At OUCRU Nepal, microbiologist Sulochana Manandhar spent much of her early career at the lab bench, examining bacteria, fine-tuning methods, and chasing answers to scientific questions. Now, with support from the MODRA programme, she’s leading her first hospital-based study, bringing new attention to neonatal health risks in Nepal.
Dr Duong Thi Hue Kien: From post-PhD uncertainty to leading international research
Finding My Path After PhD “After finishing my PhD, I felt isolated and uncertain about the future,” recalls Dr Kien. For four years, her research was focused entirely on understanding how the Dengue virus evolves inside mosquitoes. “When that chapter ended, stepping into the broader scientific community felt overwhelming.” Adding to the challenges, Dr Kien […]
MODRA Workshop 2: Putting research ideas into action
The MORU-OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) Workshop 2 was recently held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
MODRA Workshop 1: Empowering early-career scientists to secure competitive research grants
The MORU-OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) recently concluded its inaugural workshop in Bangkok. This intensive five-day programme equipped 15 promising postdoctoral researchers with the skills required to complete a high-quality seed proposal.
The MORU – OUCRU Discovery Research Academy Announces its First Cohort
The MORU – OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) is thrilled to announce the selection of its first cohort of the programme.
OUCRU 2024 Prize Studentship
Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s OUCRU-SOVICO Prize Studentships! These excellent candidates will join the OUCRU PhD family and enrol at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Medicine. Dr Tran Bang Huyen, supervised by Assoc Prof Sophie Yacoub, Head of Dengue Group at OUCRU. Ms Nguyen Pham Nhu Quynh, supervised by Dr Pham […]
[Infographic] Opportunities and Challenges in Applying Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health Technologies in Viet Nam
Digital health and artificial intelligence have the potential to transform healthcare, making health care management more efficient and accessible. However, a new paper by Ho Quang Chanh et al, detailed why engagement with policymakers, local patients and healthcare workers, and integrating with local systems and practice are crucial to ensure that digital health technologies can thrive in low- and middle-income settings.
OUCRU Tuberculosis Group Reported At The Symposium “Access To New Testing Techniques In Medical Diagnosis And Treatment”
Each year, over 4 million people worldwide with tuberculosis are left undiagnosed. In June 2023, OUCRU Tuberculosis Research Group presented two papers at the “Access to New Testing Techniques in Medical Diagnosis and Treatment” symposium. These new techniques have the potential to help screen and diagnose promptly and accurately so that patients can receive treatment on time.
[Infographic] How Socio-cultural Factors Impact the Consent Process in Clinical Trials
OUCRU study explored why participants made decisions to participate in clinical trials and outlined ways to improve participants’ experience during the informed consent process.
Prof Guy Thwaites co-authored WHO’s report on antibacterial agents in preclinical & clinical development
OUCRU’s Director, Professor Guy Thwaites, has recently contributed to an analysis of antibacterial agents in preclinical and clinical development by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as part of the WHO advisory group on research and development of antibacterial treatments. The advisory group met virtually on 29 and 30 November 2021 to discuss and evaluate pipelines […]
Dengue Research Article Awarded The 2021 – 2022 Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publications
Our research article titled ‘Combination of inflammatory and vascular markers in the febrile phase of dengue is associated with more severe outcomes’ was recently awarded the 2021-2022 Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publications. This observational study was designed to identify severe dengue patients by using a series of inflammatory markers. The authors generated an immunological signature […]
OUCRU Director Guy Thwaites awarded MBE
OUCRU’s Director, Professor Guy Thwaites, was recently honoured in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to public health and UK/Vietnam relations. Professor Thwaites has been the Director of OUCRU since 2013. He is responsible for the scientific strategy and leadership […]