Từ Đức Dũng
Also known as Dr. Hoa Xà
Từ Đức Dũng is a medicinal plant researcher who worked at the Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science – VNU-HCM. In 2006 he founded VNUSLAB, a research and technology-transfer group in medicinal chemistry, biomedicine and medicinal plants.
A little further every day
Most of his work starts in the field: collecting, identifying and photographing voucher specimens of Hedyotis species (Rubiaceae), then bringing them back to the laboratory for extraction and phytochemical study. That path led to projects on xáo tam phân (Paramignya trimera) and on agarwood, with partners in Vietnam and abroad.
He often speaks of three teachers who showed him the way: the late pharmacist Phan Đức Bình, who identified his first plant samples; Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Kim Phi Phụng at the Department of Organic Chemistry; and Prof. Phan Văn Trường, with whom he developed the agarwood induction process.
Outside the lab, he keeps a Vietnamese-language journal of his work and thoughts, always with the same invitation: sit down and have some tea.
“Light up the mind, open the heart, and sit down for a cup of tea.”Từ Đức Dũng
Timeline
Recognition, press and research milestones share one lane. Milestones with a source link to it below.
- Research
- Fieldwork
- Transfer
- Recognition
- Community
- 2006
Founding VNUSLAB (Research)
A research and technology-transfer group in medicinal chemistry, biomedicine and medicinal plants.
- 2007
Collecting Hedyotis microcephala in Bù Gia Mập (Fieldwork)
Hedyotis microcephala specimens collected in September 2007 at Bù Gia Mập National Park and identified by pharmacist Phan Đức Bình.
- 2009
Dosage forms proposed with DOMESCO (Transfer)
Soluble and tablet dosage forms proposed together with DOMESCO.
- 2012
Quoted in Người Lao Động (Recognition)
An article on medicinal plant research quoting MSc Từ Đức Dũng, University of Science; the photographs in the article are his.
- 2013
Paper in Natural Product Communications (Research)
Co-author of a paper on three new iridoid glucoside salts from Hedyotis tenelliflora growing in Vietnam.
Natural Product Communications 8(11):1507–1508 · PMID 24427927
- 2015
Hiệp Sanh Đường established (Transfer)
Hiep Sanh Duong Science & Technology Co., Ltd., based in Nha Trang.
- 2016
Agarwood survey with Seoul National University (Fieldwork)
Experts from Seoul National University invited to survey agarwood (Aquilaria) together.
- 2016
Xáo tam phân report to Khanh Hoa DOST (Transfer)
In May 2016, invited to present the results and look for a partner to take on the transfer.
- 2017
Microbial agarwood induction (Research)
A microbial induction process built with Prof. Phan Văn Trường at Buon Ma Thuot Medical University.
- 2017
Typhoon Damrey (Community)
The typhoon of 4 November 2017 destroyed the facilities; work started again from scratch.
- 2022
Techfest South Central Coast – Central Highlands (Recognition)
VNUSLAB ran a booth at the regional innovation and startup festival, Nha Trang, 20 August 2022.
- 2024
Xáo tam phân returned to Ninh Tây (Community)
In May 2024, guiding residents of Ninh Tây commune (Ninh Hòa) to grow the plant and donating seedlings.