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University of Science and Technology of Hanoi

University of

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of Hanoi

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Assoc ProfTo Thi Mai Huong

Deputy director of Direction of Research, Innovation and Technology transfer

Education and working progress

2001 – 2006  Engineer in Food Technology. Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam

2006 – 2007  Master in Food Sciences.  National Institute of Agricultural Science, Food and Environment (Dijon Agrosup), France

2007 – 2010  Doctor in Food Sciences. University of Bourgogne (France)

2009 – 2011  Master of Business Administration. Dijon Institute of Business Administration (IAE Dijon), France

2011-2012  Post-doctoral researcher at French National Center for Scientific Research, CNRS 6022

2013- now  Lecturer/ Researcher at the Department of Life Sciences. University of Science and Technology of Hanoi

2022- now  Deputy director of the Direction of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer. Head of Executive Board of USTH Innovation Hub

2024- now  Associate Professor in Biology. Team leader of Top-Tier research group funded by NAFOSTED at the Department of Life Sciences. University of Science and Technology of Hanoi

Merits and Awards

2020, 2021, 2022: Certificates of Merit from the Rector of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH)

  • 2017, 2019, 2024: USTH Outstanding Staff Award (Emulation Fighter at the institutional level)
  • 2011 – 2012: Postdoctoral Fellowship from the French National Institute for Scientific and Technological Research
  • 2009 – 2010: Bourgogne Regional Scholarship for MBA program at Dijon Business School
  • 2010: First Prize for Research Presentation at the Regional Young Researchers Conference
  • 2007 – 2010: PhD Scholarship from the French Government
  • 2006 – 2007: Master’s Scholarship from the French Government
  • 2006: Second Prize, Student Scientific Research Award, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
  • 2006: Second Prize for Innovation Research Project, FPT Innovation Award

List of Projects led/participated

  • Principal Investigator, National-level project funded by NAFOSTED (2025–2030): “Toward low-methane emission rice with high-yield potential via optimized carbon allocation and root exudates using genome editing technology” (106.03-2024.08)
  • Vietnamese Partner, International collaborative project funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (2025–2026): “Validation of root diameter as a key root trait for stress resilience” (GCRF NGR 51102)
  • Principal Investigator, international collaborative project with Korea, funded by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (2024–2026): “Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of crown root development in rice under abiotic stress conditions” (QTKR01.01/24-25)
  • Principal Investigator, VinGroup Innovation Fund project (01/2022–12/2024): “Genome editing to improve phosphate use efficiency in Vietnamese rice”(VinIF2021.DA0002)
  • Principal Investigator, VAST-level project under 7 priority directions (01/2022–12/2023):
    “Application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to study candidate genes involved in rice root development under stress conditions”
  • Key Member, Vietnam–China national-level Protocol Project (01/2021–12/2023):“Improved micronutrient value of rice using genome editing technology”
  • Vietnamese Partner, international project funded by the UK academies under GCRF (03/2020–03/2022): “Improving crop yield in dry and nutrient-poor soils via more resilient rice varieties”
  • Principal Investigator, NAFOSTED national-level project (04/2017–04/2020):“Discovery of QTLs associated with sensitivity to Jasmonic acid linked to stress tolerance in Vietnamese rice using Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS)”
  • Principal Investigator, USTH institutional-level project (2017):“Identifying new plant genes involved in abiotic and biotic interactions and productivity”
  • Coordinator, USTH Consortium international collaborative project (2015–2017):“Functional characterization of rice genetic resources and genetic diversity of rice pathogens in Vietnam”
  • Scientific Secretary, USTH institutional project (2019–2020):“Investigating gene expression patterns in Vietnamese rice (Oryza sativa L.) under phosphorus starvation and their correlation with Jasmonic Acid”
  • Scientific Secretary, GUST Institutional-level project (2017–2020): “Isolation of rice endophytic bacteria from Northern Vietnam with plant growth-promoting and biocontrol properties against Xoo”
  • Key Member, Vietnam–France Protocol Project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (2012–2014): “Application of genetic technology to develop drought-tolerant rice varieties through improved root architecture”

Activities to Promote the Innovation Ecosystem at USTH

  • Led the establishment, launch, and operation of the Innovation Hub (UIH), driving various activities to build an innovation ecosystem for USTH faculty and students.
  • Led the formulation of the “Regulations on Intellectual Property (IP) Management and Technology Transfer Support.”
  • Led the formulation of the “Regulations on the Management of Applied Research Projects, Technology Development, and Product Commercialization.”
  • Coordinated the development of Porfolio for academic departments and research groups to enhance industry collaboration.
  • Participated in the ERP for university management systems, including innovation, applied research, IP management, student research, and technology transfer contracts.
  • Built connections with Industry to foster collaboration in applied research, training, and the establishment of joint laboratories with businesses.
  • Promoted IP awareness among faculty through IP training workshops and supported five patent applications
  • Served as a member of the Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Board and led the preparation of a five-year strategic plan to enhance research, innovation, and technology transfer at USTH.
  • Led the design and development of a Co-working Space concept at USTH.
  • Actively engaged with the National Innovation Center (NIC) and domestic innovation support networks (e.g., VNEI, TISC) to secure Google’s Digital Talent Scholarship, and to stay updated on training programs, skills development, and competitions at home and abroad.
  • Promoted FabLab and student Tech Clubs, mentored student teams in product development, and supported their participation in national and international competitions.
  • Developed and implemented skill-building programs for students, aiming to integrate differences Entrepreuneuship courses (such as Effective Learning Methods, Negotiation and Fundraising Skills, and Entrepreneurship Skills ..) into the official curriculum.
  • Successfully signed five service contracts for science discovery experiences to promote STEM education and innovation at the high school level, totaling 300 million VND in service contracts and 30 millions VND in sponsorships.

Short training courses on Innovation and Entrepreneurship               

  • Aug 2006        Start your Bussiness training course with FPT co-organized with VCCI
  • Mar 2016        Training course on IP by European Patent Attorney
  • Dec 2022         Training course on the Aatent information Searching by WIPO and IP VN
  • Dec 2023         Training of Trainers- Connecting and Capacity building in Innovation and Entrepreuneuship support for Universities and Colleges organized by USAID, NIC and VNEI
  • May 2025        S-Growth Innovation Coaching (SIC) organized by BKHoldings

Selected publications 

  1. To, H.T.M., Tran, D. & Mai, N.T.P. Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveal Candidate Genes Relating to Resistant Starch Content in Vietnamese Rice Landraces. Plant Mol Biol Rep(2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-025-01568-4
  2. Tran, G.S., Nguyen, Q.H., Nguyen, L.T.T…et To HTM Unraveling New Genetic Elements Associated with the Morphological Changes and Relative Silicon Content in Rice Using Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). J. Plant Biol. 67, 467–480 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12374-024-09448-2
  3. Tran, T.T.T., Le, L.H.M., Nguyen, T.T. et To HTM.QTL-seq identifies genomic region associated with the crown root development under Jasmonic acid response. Funct Integr Genomics 24, 141 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-024-01422-y
  4. Duong Thi Thuy Dang, Thi Linh Nguyen, … et Huong Thi Mai To. A novel GLYCEROPHOSPHODIESTER PHOSPHODIESTERASE 13 is involved in the Phosphate starvation-induced lipid remodeling in rice. bioRxiv 2024.03.27.586571; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.03.27.586571
  5. K. Luong, S. S. Tong, H. Mai, T. M. H. To, Giang Son Tran, D. B. Pham, T. H. Phan, V. C. Le, T. L. Pham, T. H. A. Tong. UAV hyperspectral image acquisition and processing, an application for nutrient estimation of rice in Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Earth Sciences, 46(4), 533–552. https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9783/21306
  6. Nguyen TT, Nguyen TC, Do PT, To HTM Effect of gibberellin on crown root development in the mutant of the rice plasmodesmal Germin-like protein OsGER4. Funct Integr Genomics. Mar 18;24(2):59 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-024-01341-y . PMID: 38498207.
  7. Chu Bao Minh, To Thi Mai Huong, Tran Giang Son. 2024. Rice grain trait estimation using color space conversion and deep learning-based image segmentation. TNU Journal of Science and Technology. 229(07): 133 – 140. https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.10191
  8. Nguyen, T.T., Pham, T.D., Do, P.T. … To HTM (2024). The Plasmodesmal Protein OsGER4 is Involved in Auxin Mediated Crown Root Development in Rice. J. Plant Biol. 67, 221–230 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12374-024-09424-w
  9. TT Nguyen, DT Pham, NH Nguyen, PT Do, HTM To.,2023. The Germin-like protein gene OsGER4 is involved in heat stress response in rice root development. Functional & Integrative Genomics. 23 (3), 271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-023-01201-1
  10. Phuong Nga, M. T., Thuy Linh, N. T., & Mai Huong, T. T. (2023). Genome-wide association studies for identification of genes and QTLs controlling the palmitic acid content in rice bran oil. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology, 21(2), 337–345. https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/18607
  11. Thi Mai Huong To, Thi Linh Nguyen, Thi Ngoc An Do, Lan Phuong Nguyen, Nga TP Mai. Investigating the diversity of resistant starch in Vietnamese rice collection. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology 65 No. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.31276/VJSTE.65(2).59-64
  12. Nguyen, N.H., Bui, T.P., Le, N.T., Nguyen, C.X., Le, M.T.T., Dao, N.T., Phan, Q., Van Le, T., To, H.M.T., Pham, N.B. and Chu, H.H., 2023. Disrupting Sc-uORFs of a transcription factor bZIP1 using CRISPR/Cas9 enhances sugar and amino acid contents in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Planta, 257(3), p.57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04089-0
  13. Le, T.V.A., To, H.T.M., Nguyen, T.K.O. and Mai, N.T., 2023. Systemic adaptation of rice plants under low phosphate conditions and interaction with endophytic bacteria. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 18(1). http://doi:10.4081/ija.2023.2181
  14. Mai, N.T., Nguyen, L.T.T., Tran, S.G. and To, H.T.M., 2023. Genome-wide association study reveals useful QTL and genes controlling the fatty acid composition in rice bran oil using Vietnamese rice landraces. Functional & Integrative Genomics, 23(2), pp.1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-023-01080-6
  15. To, T.M., Nguyen, V.P., Chu, H.H., Mai, N. T. P., 2023. Phosphate starvation enhances Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae resistance in rice. Biologia Plantarum. 67:262-270. 67:262-270. DOI: 10.32615/bp.2023.013
  16. Tô Thị Mai Hương, Trần Thị Ánh Nguyệt, Nguyễn Đức Bách (2023). Khảo sát ảnh hưởng của tween 80 đến giá trị dinh dưỡng của tảo xoắn (Spirulina platensis).Tạp chí Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn. Số 6/2023. Trang 181-187
  17. Trần Thị Ánh Nguyệt, Nguyễn Đức Bách, Tô Thị Mai Hương (2023). Ảnh hưởng của tween 80 đến sự tích lũy lipit, thành phần axit béo và hàm lượng axit amin tự do của tảo chlorella vulgaris. Tạp chí Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn. Số 6/2023, trang
  18. Mai, N.T.P., Nguyen, L.T.T., Tran, A.T.N., Ngo, N.T.H., Chu, A.T.Q., To, T.M., 2023. Natural variation in fatty acid composition of diverse vietnamese rice germplasm. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 21 No. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/17984
  19. To Thi Mai Huong, Mai Thi Phuong Nga. Antioxidant activities and free amino acid content of rice responded to xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae infection under phosphate starvation condition. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology.Vol. 21 No. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/18126
  20. To, T.M., Pham, D.T., Le Thi, V.A., Nguyen, T.T., Tran, T.A., Ta, A.S., Chu, H.H. and Do, P.T., 2022. The Germin‐like protein OsGER4 is involved in promoting crown root development under exogenous jasmonic acid treatment in rice. The Plant Journal, 112(3), pp.860-874. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.1598
  21. Gonin, M., Jeong, K., Coudert, Y., Lavarenne, J., Hoang, G.T., Bes, M., To, T.M., Thiaw, M.R.N., Do, T.V., Moukouanga, D. and Guyomarc’h, S., 2022. CROWN ROOTLESS1 binds DNA with a relaxed specificity and activates OsROP and OsbHLH044 genes involved in crown root formation in rice. The Plant Journal, 111(2), pp.546-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15838
  22. To, T.M., Chu, H.H. and Mai, N.T.P., 2022. Biochemical and molecular adaptaion of rice plants towards low phosphate condition. Tap Chi Sinh Hoc, 44(3). https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9023/17087
  23. Le Thi Van Anh, H.D., Phuc, N.H.G., Pham Quynh Trang, L.H.N., Quynh, N.M. and To, T.M., 2022. Agarose-paraffin double embedding assisted with 3D printing for high throughput rice root sectioning. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology, 20(1), pp.45-51. https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/15706
  24. Mai, N.T., Mai, C.D., Van Nguyen, H., Le, K.Q., Duong, L.V., Tran, T.A. and To, T.M., 2021. Discovery of new genetic determinants of morphological plasticity in rice roots and shoots under phosphate starvation using GWAS. Journal of Plant Physiology, 257, p.153340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2020.153340
  25. Nguyen, V.P., Trinh, D.D., Tran, L.N.K., Do, D.T.G., Ta, T.T.L., Mai, T.P.N., To, T.M., Mai, D.C., Chu, H.H. and Le, T.B., 2021. Identification and evaluation of enzymes gelatinase, amylase, and catalase produced by rice root endophytic bacteria isolated from Hai Duong with antimicrobial properties against Xanthomonas oryzea pv. oryzea. Academia Journal Of Biology, 43(2), pp.107-117. https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9023/15906
  26. Nga, M.T.P., Anh, C.T.Q. and To, T.M., 2021. Genome wide association studies analysis of the natural ability of uptaking the phosphate in Vietnamese rice landraces. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology, 19(4), pp.677-686. https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/1537419(4):677-686
  27. To, T.M., Le, K.Q., Van Nguyen, H., Duong, L.V., Kieu, H.T., Chu, Q.A.T., Tran, T.P. and Mai, N.T., 2020. A genome-wide association study reveals the quantitative trait locus and candidate genes that regulate phosphate efficiency in a Vietnamese rice collection. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 26, pp.2267-2281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-020-00902-2
  28. Nguyen, P.V., Mai, N.T.P., To, T.M., Mai, C.D., Chu, H.H., Le, B.T., 2020. In vitro screening for plant growth promoting traits and antifungal activity against Magnaporthe oryzea from submerged rice root endophytic bacteria. Proceedings of 2000 Vietnam National Conference on Biotechnology. Publishing House of Hue University (ISBN: 978-604-974-562-1). pp.568-574.
  29. Nguyen, T.H., To, T.M., Moukouanga, D., Lebrun, M., Bellafiore, S. and Champion, A., 2020. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of the jasmonate biosynthesis OsAOC gene in rice. Jasmonate in plant biology: Methods and protocols, pp.199-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0142-6_15
  30. To, T.M., Nguyen H.T., Dang N.T.M., Bui T.X., Phung N.T.P., Lavarence J, Gantet P., Lebrun M., Bellafiore S. and Champion A. (2019) Unraveling genetic control of shoot and root growth of rice under jasmonate treatment conditions by genome wide association study. The Rice Journal. 12(69). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-019-0327-5
  31. Nguyen, T.H., To, T.M., Lebrun, M., Bellafiore, S. and Champion, A., 2019. Jasmonates—the master regulator of rice development, adaptation and defense. Plants, 8 (9): 339. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8090339
  32. To, T.M., Mai, N.T., Ngo, M.A., Nguyen, N.H., Hanh, K.T., Nguyen, T.T., Vu, H.T.T., Tran, D.K., Van Le, A.T., Nguyen, T.H. and Champion, A., 2019. Physiological and molecular comparative analysis of two contrasting rice varieties under jasmonic acid treatment. Journal of Biotechnology, 17(4), pp.663-672. https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/17/4/14428
  33. Nguyen, H.N., Dang, N.T.M., Bui, X.T., Nguyen, T.H., Champion, A., To, T.M., 2018. Identification of the genetic control of number of crown roots at the early developmental stage in rice. Proceedings Of National Conference Of Biotechnology. Publishing house of Natural Science and Technology. pp.1398-1404.
  34. Thi Mai Huong To, Cosette Grandvalet, Hervé Alexandre, Raphaëlle Tourdot-Maréchal (2015): Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Synthase from Oenococcus oeni: Expression in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and Biochemical Characterization. Archive in Microbioly. 2015 Nov; 197(9):1063-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-015-1143-y
  35. Chung D Mai, Nhung TP Phung, Huong TM To, Mathieu Gonin, Giang T Hoang, Khanh L Nguyen, Vinh N Do, Brigitte Courtois, Pascal Gantet (2014). Genes controlling root development in rice. The Rice Journal, 7:30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-014-0030-5 .
  36.   Thi Mai Huong To, Cosette Grandvalet, Raphaëlle Tourdot-Maréchal (2011) “Cyclopropanation of membrane unsaturated fatty acids is not essential for acid adaptation in Lactococcus lactis”. (Applied Environmental Microbiology. May 2011 vol. 77 no. 10 3327-3334) https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02518-10
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