Dao Nguyen

Dr. Dao Nguyen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and a Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) at the Glen site. She leads research within the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Centre for Translational Biology and serves as Director of the McGill Antimicrobial Resistance Centre. Her work bridges clinical medicine and basic science to address critical challenges in respiratory infections and antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Nguyen received her MD.CM from McGill University in 1997, followed by an MSc in Epidemiology from McGill in 2004. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington from 2004-2008. Her academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of respiratory microbiology research with a focus on patient-centered outcomes.

Dr. Nguyen's research program centers on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and chronic airway infections, with particular emphasis on cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Her laboratory investigates two primary themes: 1) Molecular mechanisms of stress responses, oxidative stress and antibiotics tolerance in P. aeruginosa, and 2) Bacterial-host interactions in pulmonary innate immunity and inflammation. Through bacterial genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and in vivo murine models, her team seeks to understand how P. aeruginosa survives antibiotic treatment and interacts with host immune responses. This work aims to identify novel targets for antibacterial discovery and improve therapeutic approaches for chronic respiratory infections.

Recent publications reveal a growing emphasis on translational applications of her basic science findings. Her research increasingly focuses on developing therapeutic strategies to promote epithelial repair in CF airways, understanding polymicrobial interactions in CF lung disease, and creating rapid diagnostic methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. This evolution demonstrates her commitment to moving discoveries from bench to bedside.

Dr. Nguyen's significant contributions to CF research were recognized with the Cathleen Morrison Research Impact Award from Cystic Fibrosis Canada in April 2025. This prestigious award honors researchers whose work has the greatest potential to impact people living with CF.

As Director of the McGill Antimicrobial Resistance Centre, Dr. Nguyen leads a multidisciplinary team addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges. She has secured substantial funding for her research, including a 2025 grant titled "Harnessing host-pathogen interactions to improve eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the HEMT era," which investigates the use of gremubamab, a novel antibody designed to enhance immune clearance of persistent bacterial infections in CF patients.

Dr. Nguyen directs the Nguyen Lab at the Meakins-Christie Laboratories within the RI-MUHC. Her research team includes graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates working collaboratively across disciplines to address complex questions in respiratory microbiology and immunology. The lab maintains strong connections with clinical teams at the MUHC, ensuring that research remains relevant to patient needs.