Nguyen Thanh Liem, Professor, People’s Physician, National Hero

Cell and Gene therapies

Regenerative medicine

Pediatric surgery

1997 – Present              Lecturer of Pediatric Surgery of Medical Military Institute

1979 – Present              Lecturer of Pediatric Surgery of Hanoi Medical University

Below are selected publications from 150s published articles:

1. Liem Thanh Nguyen, Thuy Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Kien Trung Nguyen, Lam Nam Phung, Van Thanh Hoang, Trang Thi Kieu Phan, Minh Van Pham, Anh Thi Phuong Nguyen, Doan Van Ngo, Anh Van Nguyen, Chi Van Nguyen. Intrathecal versus intravenous umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for ischemic stroke sequelae. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2025 Nov 24;14(12):szaf063. doi: 10.1093/stcltm/szaf063.
2. Van Duc Dang, Franziska Szelinski, Elodie Mohr, Tuan Anh Le, Jacob Ritter, Van T Hoang , Hong-Nhung Dao, Soeren Ocvir, Liem Thanh Nguyen, Mir-Farzin Mashreghi et al. Distinct autoreactive CD19- plasma cell subsets accumulate in lupus-prone mice. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 10;16(1):9901. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-65906-6.
3. Nhung Thi-Hong Dinh, Quyen Thi Nguyen, Ngo Thu Hang, Hong-Nhung Dao, Le Duc Son, Giang Trang Ngan, Can Van Mao, Xuan-Hai Do, Van T Hoang, Liem Nguyen Thanh. Assessment of the safety of hypoxia-primed mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord and adipose tissues in animals. Sci Rep (2025). 15(1), 36055. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20018-5
4. Hoang-Phuong Nguyen, Lan T M Dao, Le Phuong Hoang Anh, Tan-Sinh Thi Nguyen, Shivena Rachel Chua Uy, Thi Ha Nguyen, Thanh Van Hoang, Thi Thanh Toan Do, Thanh Liem Nguyen. Prevalence of and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in middle-aged Vietnamese women: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. Maturitas (2025). 202, 108743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108743
5. Liem Thanh Nguyen, Phuong Mai Nguyen, Hoang-Phuong Nguyen, Hau Thi Bui, Lan Thi Mai Dao, Minh Van Pham, Chi Khanh Hoang, Phuong Thi Nguyen, Thao Thi Phuong Nguyen, Anh Thi Phuong Nguyen, Van Thi Hoang, Hoa Thi Phuong Bui, Ngan Kim Vuong, Doan Van Ngo. Outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell administration combined with educational intervention in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a randomized, open-label, controlled phase II clinical trial. Stem Cell Res Ther (2025). 16(1), 268. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04404-4
6. Thanh Liem Nguyen, Hoang-Phuong Nguyen, Thi Hang Bui, Thi Kieu Trang Phan, Duy Minh Ngo, Thi Thu Hien Ha, Thanh Tri Tran, Nguyen Anh Thuan Luu, Tuan Kiet Phan, Phi Duy Ho. Outcomes of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell infusion for liver cirrhosis due to biliary atresia after Kasai operation. J Pediatr Surg (2025). 162624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162624
7. Liem Nguyen Thanh, Van T. Hoang, Huong Le Thu, Phuong Anh Thi Nguyen, Duc M. Hoang, Doan Van Ngo, Hung Cao Vu, Van Nguyen Thi Bich, and Michael Heke. Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Severe Neurological Sequelae due to Anti-N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: First Case Report. Cell Transplant. 2022 July;31:9636897221110876. doi: 10.1177/09636897221110876.
8. Liem Nguyen Thanh, Phuong T M Dam, Hoang-Phuong Nguyen, Tan-Sinh Thi Nguyen, Huong Minh To, Hung Ba Nguyen, Ngoc-Anh Luu, Duc M Hoang. Can Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improve Sexual Function in People with Sexual Functional Deficiency? Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2021 Jun 15. doi: 10.1007/s12015-021-10196-w.
9. Liem Nguyen Thanh, Hoang-Phuong Nguyen, Minh Ngo Duy, Anh Bui Viet, Phuong T.M.Dam, Hoa Bui Thi Phuong, Doan Ngo Van, Kien Tran Trung, Tung Dang Thi Thanh, Dinh Duong Duc, Anh Nguyen Thi Phuong. Outcomes of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Transplantation Combined with Interventional Education for Autism Spectrum Disorder”. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM-20-0102.R1) 2021 Jan;10(1):14-26. doi: 10.1002/sctm.20-0102. Epub 2020 Sep 9.
10. Nguyen Thanh Liem, Vu Duy Chinh, Dam Thi Minh Phuong, Ngo Van Doan, Nicholas R. Forsyth, Michael Heke, Phuong Anh Nguyen Thi  and Xuan-Hung Nguyen. Outcomes of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cell Transplantation for Patients in Persistent Vegetative State After Drowning: Report of Five Cases. Front. Pediatr., 10 September 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00564.
11. Liem NT, Van Phong N, Kien NT, Anh BV, Huyen TL, Thao CT, Tu ND, Hiep DT, Hoai Thu DT, Nhung HTM. Phase I Clinical Trial Using Autologous Ex Vivo Expanded NK Cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes for Cancer Treatment in Vietnam. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Jun 28;20(13). pii: E3166.
12. Duc M. Hoang , Phuong T. Pham, Trung Q. Bach , Anh T. L. Ngo , Quyen T. Nguyen , Trang T. K. Phan , Giang H. Nguyen, Phuong T. T. Le , Van T. Hoang , Nicholas R. Forsyth , Michael Heke and Liem Thanh Nguyen. Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Therapy. 2022 Aug 6;7(1):272. doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-01134-4.  (IF:18.18).
13. Tran KT, Le VS, Dao LTM, Nguyen HK, Mai AK, Nguyen HT, Ngo MD, Tran QA, Nguyen LT. Novel findings from family-based exome sequencing for children with biliary atresia. Sci Rep. 2021 Nov 8;11(1):21815. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01148-y.PMID: 34750413
14. Duc M Hoang, Kien T Nguyen, Anh H Nguyen, Bach N Nguyen, Liem Thanh Nguyen. Allogeneic human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): study protocol for a matched case-control, phase I/II trial. BMJ Open. 2021 May 13;11(5):e045788. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045788.
15. Kien Trung Tran, Vinh Sy Le, Hoa Thi Phuong Bui, Duong Huy Do, Ha Thi Thanh Ly, Hieu Thi Nguyen, Lan Thi Mai Dao, Thanh Hong Nguyen, Duc Minh Vu, Lien Thi Ha Huong Thi Thanh Le, Arijit Mukhopadhyay & Liem Thanh Nguyen. Genetic landscape of autism spectrum disorder in Vietnamese children. Sci Rep 10, 5034 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61695-8.
16. Vinh S. Le, Kien T. Tran*, Hoa T.P. Bui, Huong T.T. Le, Canh D. Nguyen, Duong H. Do, Ha T.T. Ly, Linh T.D. Pham, Lan T.M. Dao, Liem T. Nguyen. 2019. A Vietnamese Human Genetic Variation Database. Hum Mutat, doi:10.1002/humu.23835 (*Equally contributed; Editor’s Choice Article)
17. Ngo DN, So MT, Gui H, Tran AQ, Bui DH, Cherny S, Tam PK, Nguyen TL, Garcia-Barcelo MM. Screening of the RET gene of Vietnamese Hirschsprung patients identifies 2 novel missense mutations. J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Oct; 47(10):1859-64. doi: 10.1016/j
18. Bines JE, Liem NT, Justice F et al. Validation of clinical case definition of acute intussusception in infants in Vietnam and Australia. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 84(7): 569 – 574, 2006
19. Liem NT, Tung CV, Hien ND, Hien TT, Chau NQ, Long HT, Hien NT, Mai le Q, Taylor WR, Wertheim H, Farrar J, Khang DD, Horby P. Clinical features of human influenza A (H5N1) infection in Vietnam: 2004-2006.Clin Infect Dis. 2009 Jun 5;48(12):1639-46
20. Liem NT, Lim W et al. Lack of H5N1 Avian Influenza Transmission to Hospital Employees, Hanoi, 2004. Emerging Infectious Disease Journal 11 (2): 210-215, 2004
21. Tran TH, Nguyen TL, Nguyen TD et al. Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in 10 patients in Vietnam. The New England Journal of Medicine 350:1179 – 1188, 2004

2010:                           MBA, Griggs University/Viet Nam National University

2009:                           Full Professor of Pediatric Surgery

2002:                           Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery

1987-1991:                  PhD, Hanoi Medical University

1970-1975:                  Medical Doctor, Hanoi Medical University

AWARDS

2019                            Top 100 significant Asian scientists

2019                            Top 10 outstanding Citizens of Hanoi

2019                            VTV Award: The man of the year

2018                            Nikkei Asia Prize in the Science and Technology

2012                            Award of Vietnam Talent

2008                            National Labour Hero Medal

2006                            Third Rank Labour Medal

2005                            Ho Chi Minh Award (transplantation achievements)

1999                            First prize for Scientific Creativity of Vifotec

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• First person in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia to carry out endoscopic surgery in children (1997).
• Contributing nine new pediatric endoscopic surgical techniques: First surgeon in the world to perform laparoscopic operation for rectal atresia, thoracoscopic repair for congenital diaphragmatic hernia in newborns, thoracoscopic repair under High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator at ICU for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia in newborns, thoracoscopic pericardiectomy for purulent pericarditis, laparoscopic rectal pullthrough and delayed urogenital repair for cloaca, one trocar assisted ureteroureterostomy, combined laparoscopic and modified PSAP for rectourethral fistula in anorectal malformations; One of two first surgeons in the world to perform one trocar nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney.
• Contributing 30 scientific publications on pediatric endoscopic surgery in prestige international journals.
• Successfully carried out 5 operations to separate conjoined twins.
• International leading expert in Endoscopic Surgery for Choledochal Cyst (more than 500 cases) and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (more than 300 cases)
• Realized the first pediatric kidney, liver in pediatric hospitals in Vietnam.
• First surgeon performed robotic operation in Vietnam.
• First person in Vietnam performed stem cell transplantation for biliary atresia in 2012, cerebral palsy in 2014, for autism in 2015, spina bifida in 2015, intestinal neural dysplasia in 2015, brain damage due to drowning, and auto transplant of immune cells for cancer patients in 2016.
• First person in the world performed stem cell transplantation for established bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intestinal neural dysplasia, and management of constipation in children with spina bifida in 2017.
• Detected the first patient with H5N1 in Vietnam in 2003 and a leader of research project on H5N1 contributing to prevent this epidemic and reduce deaths in Vietnam and the region.
• Confirmed a correlation between muscular injection of antibiotic and Delta fibrosis epidemic that helped to eliminate the disease in Vietnamese children.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

1. President of Vietnam Association of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy (VARC)
2. Former President, Vietnam Association of Pediatric Surgeons (VAPS)
3. Vice President, Asian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (AAPS)
4. Member, Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons (PAPS)
5. Member, Official Faculty and Co-chair of Research Committee of International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG)
6. Member, International Society on Hypospadias and Intersex Disorders
7. Honorary member , Russian Society of Pediatric Surgeons
8. Honorary member, Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
9. Viet Nam representative, Global Pediatric Surgery Network
10. Member, National Council for Science and Technology Policy (NCSTP)

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER

• Journal of Pediatric Surgery International
• EC Paediatrics