معرفی
Luan D. Vu, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences. His research focuses on viral immunopathogenesis, particularly how early-life viral infections such as RSV and SARS-CoV-2 impact long-term respiratory immunity in infants and pregnant women.
Dr. Vu earned his Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University of Sydney, with a specialization in viral immunopathogenesis. His educational journey was supported by prestigious scholarships including the Australian Awards Scholarship, Japanese MEXT Scholarship, and JSPS Fellowships.
His research interests center on:
- Early-life immune development and long-term consequences of viral infection
- Maternal-fetal immunity during respiratory infections
- Epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune cells (e.g., ILC2s)
- Trained immunity in infant immune responses
- Transplacental antibody transfer and environmental impacts (e.g., PM2.5)
- Development of novel diagnostics for respiratory viruses
Dr. Vu's recent publications reveal a strong trend in understanding immune mechanisms in RSV and COVID-19, utilizing multi-omics, machine learning, and advanced imaging. His work bridges basic science with clinical translation, focusing on biomarker discovery, disease severity prediction, and therapeutic development. Key themes include the role of IL-1β, IL-33, and ST2 signaling in immunopathology, and the application of biosensors for rapid antigen detection.
Honors and awards include:
- Parker B. Francis Fellowship in Pulmonary Research (2024–2027)
- Leveraging Innovation for Technology Transfer (LIFT2) Grant
- Australian Awards Scholarship
- Young Investigator Award from the International Network of Pasteur Institutions
- Recognition as a Notable Young Investigator by NIH
- Multiple journal highlights in AJRCCM and Experimental Biology and Medicine
Dr. Vu actively mentors the next generation of scientists. He advises graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, fostering a collaborative lab environment focused on discovery and innovation. His lab has received multi-institutional collaborative grants, including support from LSU and UTSA, and he has been involved in technology transfer initiatives. He leads research projects on trained immunity, nanobody development, and organoid models of human nasal epithelium.
His laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art tools including the Cytek Aurora spectral flow cytometer, 10x Genomics Single-Cell System, Element Biosciences AVITI sequencer, and Nanostring Digital Spatial Profiler, enabling high-resolution immune profiling and spatial transcriptomics.
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