On November 5, 2025, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) held the Doctoral Defense Day for PhD candidate Dinh Thi Thao, majoring in Pharmacological, Medical, and Agronomical Biotachnology, with the dissertation titled: Identifying PIK3CA, ESR1 gene mutations and their relationship with clinical outcomes of breast cancer.”
The thesis was supervised by Prof. Ngo Tat Trung, Director of the Center for Genetic Counseling and Cancer Screening – 108 Military Central Hospital, and Assoc. Prof. Dong Van Quyen, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
The defense committee consisted of seven members, including Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Institute of Biotechnology, Chairman of the Committee; Prof. Dr. Pascal Rihet (Aix-Marseille University, France); Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan (Institute of Biotechnology); Dr. Duong Quoc Chinh (Head of the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Khac Cuong (108 Military Central Hospital); Dr. Nguyen Thi Trang Huyen (USTH); and Dr.Nguyen Cam Linh (USTH). The ceremony was also attended by the supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family members of the PhD candidate.
With the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Chairman of the Committee, the Committee reviewed the candidate’s academic background, research achievements, and scientific contributions throughout the course of the program. The Committee highly appreciated the dedication, efforts, and research results of the candidate.
In her presentation, Ms. Dinh Thi Thao summarized the research findings of her dissertation before the Committee. At present, cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat, with a high mortality rate, especially when diagnosed at a late stage. In the metastatic phase, most patients develop drug resistance, making the selection of appropriate treatment regimens extremely difficult
Therefore, the dissertation focused on developing gene testing methods to identify genetic mutations associated with drug response, thereby supporting clinicians in selecting appropriate therapeutic drugs for patients. Detecting gene mutations that correspond to drug sensitivity can help patients receive more effective treatments, reduce drug resistance, and improve survival outcomes — a key contribution of the thesis.
The main findings of the dissertation have been published in two international scientific journals. According to the Committee, the thesis demonstrates the candidate Dinh Thi Thao’s serious and consistent research efforts. The research results hold significant scientific value and demonstrate high practical implementation.
After the discussion, the Thesis Evaluation Committee held a closed meeting and conducted a vote, resulting in unanimous approval with 7 out of 7 votes in favor. On behalf of the Committee, Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Huy Hoang congratulated PhD candidate Dinh Thi Thao on successfully defending her dissertation and congratulated the Department of Life Sciences for adding another Doctor of Philosophy to its ranks.
At the end of the ceremony, PhD candidate Dinh Thi Thao expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Life Sciences, her supervisors, colleagues, friends, and especially her family for their unwavering support, encouragement, and understanding, which enabled her to complete her thesis and achieve the doctoral degree successfully.
