OUCRU wrapped 2025 The people behind the science
Leadership transition After 12 years, Professor Guy Thwaites will step down as Director of OUCRU. From 1 January 2026, Professor J. Kevin Baird will serve as Interim Director of the OUCRU Programme, and Associate Professor Raph L. Hamers will become Interim Director of OUCRU Indonesia. We thank Professor Thwaites for his outstanding leadership and wish Professor Baird and Associate Professor Hamers every success in their new roles.
Prof Guy Thwaites
Prof J. Kevin Baird
Assoc Prof Raph L. Hamers
OUCRU researchers appointed full professors by the University of Oxford The honour reflects decades of dedication and leadership by the three scientists. Just as importantly, Oxford’s decision to recognise scholars whose work is based in Vietnam signals a step forward for the country’s place in global health research.
Lê Văn Tấn
Louise Thwaites
Timothy Walker
Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Oxford Head, Emerging Infections research group, OUCRU Vietnam
Professor of Experimental Critical Care, University of Oxford Senior Clinical Research Fellow, OUCRU Vietnam
Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Oxford
Grants that push our research forward This year, OUCRU secured 30 research funding totalling £33 million, including multiple major awards from the Wellcome Trust. These grants back our long-term work in infectious diseases research designed to shift understanding and improve treatment where the need is greatest.
Big new grants. Big next steps!
Discovery Award
Using AI to improve pneumonia care | 2025-2030 To develop AI-powered tools that combine multimodal data, diagnostics, and wearable technologies to improve care in LMICs.
Understanding why tuberculosis turns deadly | 2026-2031 Discovery Award
Discretionary Award
Discretionary Award
To support molecular-level research to understand what drives severe and life-threatening TB.
Building clinical trial strength across Africa & Asia | 2026-2029 To launch the Africa Asia Alliance for Clinical Trials (A3CT) to strengthen trial capacity & collaboration across two continents.
Testing new ways to treat severe dengue | 2025-2031 To back DEN-HOST, a large phase 3 trial testing host-directed therapies for patients hospitalised with dengue.
Training the next health researchers 2025 saw many OUCRU-trained scientists step into senior leadership roles and taking on greater responsibility for research across the region. Along the way, we welcomed new PhD researchers and celebrated those completing their doctorates, a simple reminder that the next generation of research leaders is already taking shape.
Dr Ngô Ngọc Quang Minh (PhD, 2014) appointed Director of Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Dr Hồ Quang Chánh (PhD, 2025) appointed Head of the Dengue Research Group, OUCRU Vietnam.
Graduation of Cohort 1, MORU–OUCRU Discovery Research Academy, a bespoke training programme for postdoctoral researchers in South and Southeast Asia.
New PhD graduates
Dr Hoàng Thanh Hải
Open University
Dr Nguyễn Thị Hồng Yến
University of Oxford
Dr Hồ Quang Chánh
University of Oxford
Dr Made Krisna University of Oxford
Dr Nguyễn Hoàng Thiên Hương
University of Oxford
Dr Lenny Ekawati University of Oxford
New research projects now underway
PRYSMA
Kleb-CASAVA
D-SCAPE
A clinical trial in Indonesia testing two different antibiotic strategies to prevent sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men.
A project in Vietnam linking patient-based surveillance with vaccine development to tackle community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.
A new initiative in Vietnam to develope an affordable, wearable device that continuously monitors dengue patients in hospital.
The study compares effectiveness against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis, while closely monitoring the risk of antibiotic resistance.
The goal is to generate evidence that supports both prevention strategies and future vaccine design.
Duration: 2025-2029 Funder: UK Medical Research Council
Duration: 2024-2028 Funder: MRC, NAFOSTED Vietnam
The technology aims to detect early signs of severe dengue while remaining suitable for low-resource settings.
Duration: 2025-2028 Funder: LifeArc
Conferences & workshops
Clinical Trial Opportunities in Vietnam Workshop. Co-hosted by WHO & Hanoi Medical University.
Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training.
Applying Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Clinical Practice for Infectious Diseases Scientific Conference. Co-hosted by HTD in HCMC.
Early Warning & Response Systems for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases in Vietnam Workshop.
Signed MOU with the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) to promote joint research & evidence-based health policy.
Signed MOU with A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, Singapore to collaborate on advancing research in infectious diseases.
Reports shaping policy & practice Roadmap to the Future of Clinical Trials in Vietnam A joint OUCRU–KPMG report mapping how Vietnam can become a top ASEAN clinical trial hub by 2030. Intensive Care Training Programme in Vietnam A national report by OUCRU and Dragon Capital documenting large-scale ICU training and capacity building across Vietnam. WHO GLASS Report 2025 The most comprehensive global AMR surveillance report to date, with OUCRU researchers leading key evidence reviews.
Enhancing Research Impact through Local Engagement Initiatives Strengthening Engagement Knowledge
Established the Indonesia’s Community Forum for Health Research (ForuM)
PCE Pilot Training: Designing Your Engagement Project for researchers and practitioners
Placing Communities at the Centre of Health Research
Community-led media engagement for hard-toreach communities in Dak Lak Vietnam
Patient-Centred Care Training for Healthcare Workers
Nurturing the Next Generation in Science
School Engagement Projects Youth Antimicrobial Stewardship funded by PCE Seed Awards
Kids Meet Scientists, Livestreamed Talkshow