Dr. Vi-Khanh Truong, who earned his Ph.D. in Nanobiotechnology from Swinburne University of Technology in 2012, has significantly advanced the field of biointerface engineering and nanobiotechnology with his work on nanostructured surfaces and bioactive materials. His career began with international recognition, including a visiting scholar award at Hannover Laser Zentrum in Germany and a prestigious award for his dissertation on titanium implant surfaces from the International Titanium Association.
Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Truong undertook several impactful roles bridging academia and industry, including positions at BASF and BlueScope. These roles saw him developing not only antimicrobial coatings but also pioneering sustainable agricultural products, showcasing the functional integration of nanotechnology across diverse applications. His experience was further enriched by a visiting fellowship at CNRS in France, focusing on the interactions between soft matter and nanostructured surfaces.
By 2019, Dr. Truong had established an independent research group at RMIT University, focusing on innovative antimicrobial coatings. His transition in 2022 to Flinders University as Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of the Biomedical Nanoengineering Laboratory marked a significant phase in his career, where he led the integration of advanced nanobiotechnology and AI-driven innovations into the Master of Biotechnology program.
Currently, Dr. Truong is the Head of NanoBioLab at Khalifa University, where his research extends beyond healthcare to include functional food applications aimed at promoting healthy longevity. This work involves developing bioactive interfaces that interact beneficially with biological systems to enhance both the nutritional value and health-promoting properties of food products. He has published in high-impact and prestigious journals such as Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, ACS Nano, Nature Materials, Nature Communications, and PNAS. His distinguished track record includes multiple prestigious fellowships, such as the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and the Fulbright Fellowship, over 180 publications, and an H-index of 50, reflecting his broad impact on both biomedical engineering and functional food nanotechnology.
Engineering smart antimicrobial biomaterials
This project aims to design and develop innovative smart antimicrobial biomaterials for use in medical devices, implants, and healthcare environments. By harnessing the properties of nanotechnology and biointerface engineering, these materials will actively respond to microbial presence, effectively reducing infection risks without promoting antibiotic resistance.
Designing conductive nano-biointerface
This project focuses on designing conductive nano-biointerfaces that facilitate enhanced communication between biological tissues and electronic devices. The primary goal is to develop advanced materials that can seamlessly integrate into biomedical applications such as neural implants, biosensors, and cardiac pacemakers, improving device performance and patient outcomes.
Smart biointerfaces for functional food enhancement
This project focuses on the development of smart biointerfaces for functional foods, aiming to enhance nutritional efficacy and promote healthy longevity. By integrating nanobiotechnology, biochemistry, and material science, the project will design and fabricate innovative biointerfaces that interact dynamically with biological systems to optimize nutrient release, absorption, and overall food functionality.
Plasma-enhanced biomaterials
This project aims to exploit plasma technology to fundamentally enhance the engineering of biomaterials across a wide range of applications, from medical devices to environmental sustainability and industrial uses. By applying plasma treatments, the project seeks to modify surface properties such as biocompatibility, durability, and functionality of various materials to meet specific needs in diverse sectors.
