Professor Thương joined OUCRU in 2000 and completed her PhD in biochemistry and genetics through OUCRU and The Open University (UK) in 2008. She undertook postdoctoral training in cell biology and immunology at Cornell University (US) in 2009, before becoming Head of OUCRU’s Tuberculosis (TB) Group in 2015. Since then, she has led the group in building a rigorous research programme spanning clinical trials, novel diagnostic approaches and studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying TB.
Vietnam remains among the 30 countries with the highest TB burden globally, with substantial mortality and growing drug resistance (WHO, 2025). Professor Thương’s research focuses on understanding how dysregulated immune responses drive severe, life-threatening TB. Her goal is to translate these discoveries into better diagnosis and treatment by identifying patients at greatest risk and determining how best to improve their care.
Using multi-omic technologies, particularly transcriptomics and single-cell genomics, Professor Thương’s team links human genotypes with immunological phenotypes. Studies of TB meningitis and drug-resistant TB have generated important insights into disease severity, inflammatory pathways and urban transmission patterns, helping to shape evidence-based strategies alongside national and international health authorities.
In a 2024 study published in eLife, Professor Thương’s team identified patterns of gene activity in blood associated with disease severity and death. The findings could help support the development of a blood test to identify high-risk patients. The study also revealed important differences in how TB develops in people with and without HIV, providing clues for more precise diagnosis and treatment.
Alongside her scientific work, Professor Thương has consistently prioritised building local research capacity. She has led efforts to establish advanced immunology, genomics and omics infrastructure in Vietnam, while mentoring the next generation of Vietnamese scientists to lead independent research.
‘To apply omics technologies to address clinical needs, I have made a long-term commitment to building a multidisciplinary research team and a supportive environment where the next generation of researchers can be trained, develop their expertise and thrive,’ said Professor Thương.
