PhD student receives NIH Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program Award

This program is a competitive award designed to help retain early-career clinician-scientists by repaying a portion of their educational debt. It supports those conducting patient-oriented or translational research, with the goal of fostering long-term research careers.

The application process followed the structure of an NIH grant submission but in a more streamlined, development-focused format. A key component involved creating a tailored training and mentoring plan supported by a dedicated mentorship team, emphasizing not only scientific goals but also how the research environment and mentorship will foster growth as an independent clinician-scientist.

Nguyen’s application stood out for its focus on drug-resistant infections—a critical and growing medical challenge—and was further strengthened by the exceptional mentorship and training environment at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS). With drug-resistant infections rising and antibiotics becoming less effective, there is an urgent need to develop safe and effective alternative treatments. He was awarded the full amount of $100,000 for a two-year Clinical Research LRP administered by the NIH Division of Loan Repayment and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“Receiving this award is a major milestone in my career and means a great deal to me,” says Nguyen. “It not only helps ease the burden of student loan debt but also gives me the freedom to stay focused on research that has the potential to directly improve patient care. My long-term goal is to help develop safer and more effective treatments for patients with complex infections that are difficult to treat with existing options. This award allows me to continue building that path and stay committed to work that can lead to better outcomes and can truly make a difference in people’s lives.”

Nguyen’s research centers on developing treatments for serious infections that no longer respond to antibiotics. One promising approach is bacteriophage (phage) therapy, which uses viruses that naturally kill harmful bacteria. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, especially in hospitals and among vulnerable populations, phage therapy offers a potential alternative for treating infections lacking effective treatments.

While phages have been used successfully in other countries and in select compassionate-use cases in the U.S., their consistent and effective use is not yet fully understood. Nguyen’s work bridges this gap by studying real patient cases and analyzing how phages function in the body. His research clarifies how phages interact with bacteria and how their effects can be measured in the body, laying the foundation for future clinical trials and broader use in routine patient care.

“I am fortunate to work with internationally recognized scientists who have expertise in infectious diseases, drug development and phage research. With their guidance, and through my training as both a clinician and a researcher, I am well-positioned to conduct research that can help shape how phage therapy is used in future clinical trials and ultimately improve care for patients facing resistant infections.”

Nguyen thanks his mentors for their unwavering support throughout his time at UB SPPS.

“I would like to give a special thank you to my primary mentor, Nicholas Smith, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, who has supported me unconditionally throughout my time at UB SPPS. His guidance has been instrumental in helping me find and pursue the research I’m truly passionate about, and he has consistently worked to create an environment where I can thrive both scientifically and personally. I am incredibly grateful for his mentorship.”

“I also want to sincerely thank Kathleen Tornatore-Morse, PharmD, professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, who mentored me during my master’s project and gave me my first real experience conducting NIH-level patient-centered research. That early exposure to clinical trial work was pivotal in shaping my path and deepening my interest in translational science.”

“A heartfelt thank you as well to Brian Tsuji, PharmD, professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, whose leadership and vision have been foundational in building what is now the Division of Clinical and Translational Therapeutics within SPPS. His influence has been key to bringing together the mentorship and infrastructure that have made my training possible.”

“This truly has been a team science effort, and I could not be more appreciative of the incredible training, support and encouragement I’ve received from all my mentors and collaborators. I share this award with them and am deeply thankful for everything they’ve done to help me reach this point.”