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STAFF PROFILE

Dr Tien Huynh

Position: Associate Professor
College / Portfolio: STEM College
School / Department: STEM|School of Science
Phone: +61399257124
Email: tien.huynh@rmit.edu.au
Campus: Bundoora West
Contact me about: Research supervision
iD icon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6870-6040

A reputable member of the RMIT School of Science, Dr Tien Huynh is an experienced lecturer and brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her students and their coursework.

Adept and progressive, Dr Huynh utilises the latest cutting edge technology available at her disposal in order to engage and encourage students from a diverse range of fields and backgrounds to excel and pursue their own academic goals. It is through this approach and her many years of research and teaching that Tien is able to cultivate a motivational learning environment, empowering students to strive for greatness and excellence.

Most recently, Dr Huynh has been acknowledged and rewarded for her academic rigor and passion for science; rewarded with the highly esteemed Superstars of STEM award; a program which recognises the top 30 female scientists excelling in their field by Science and Technology Australia (the nation's peak body in science and technology). This is driven from the significant contributions that she has made towards industry and education, a result of her extensive research, teaching standards and transformative projects undertaken.

In conjunction with universities of global excellence and industry partners, Dr Huynh also spearheads international study programs throughout Asia; allowing students to utilise their skills and knowledge gained through their experiences at RMIT. It is through these insightful placements that students are able to put into practice their skills at an industry level.

Overview

Research interests

  • Orchidaceae, mycorrhizal fungi
  • Environmental changes and impacts (fire, climate change)
  • Conservation
  • Medicinal plants
  • Cancer and photobiology
  • Cardiovascular diseases (diabetes, obesity)
  • Gene expression
  • Protein expression
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Current projects

Plant science

  • Fire impact on orchid and mycorrhizal fungi regeneration, growth and diversity.
  • Environmental impacts on orchids and mycorrhizal fungi.
  • Seasonal impacts on mycorrhizal fungi and orchids.
  • Mycorrhizal fungi and orchid diversity using qPCR base pair substitution analysis.
  • Detection and characterisation of orchid viruses in industry and nature.
  • Varietal evaluation of commercially available Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. from Northern and Southern Vietnam.
  • Effect of tree growth stages and extraction methods on olive (Olea europaea) leaf extracts.
  • Changes in gene expression for orchid flower colour.
  • Quantification of beneficial bacteria in biosolids using qPCR.

Medical science

  • Cellular apoptotic and stress inflammation pathways involved in skin cancer (carcinoma and melanoma).
  • Neuronal nitrergic transcription and expression arising from cardiovascular diseases.
  • Antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial and anti-inflammation properties of medicinal plants.

 

Considering joining? Contact Tien for a lab tour or discussion.
Tien can also be contacted via her LinkedIn profile.

 

Key Activities

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Biology Biotechnology) Hons, RMIT University, Australia.
  • Doctorate of Philosophy (Institute of Land and Food Resources), The University of Melbourne, Australia.
  • Postdoctorate (Jodrell and Micropropagation Laboratory) Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew England.
  • Postdoctorate (Department of Structural and Functional Biology) University of Naples, Italy.
  • Postdoctorate (Cancer and Tissue Repair Research), RMIT University, Australia.
  • Postdoctorate (Neuropharmacology and Neuroinflammatory Research), RMIT University, Austalia.

Industry and Community Contributions

  • Outreach presentation for Nha trang highschool. 22 April 2018.
  • Outreach presentation for Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. 29 March 2018.
  • Outreach lab tour for St. Louis Catholic Senior High School Indonesia. 17 April 2018.
  • Bureau of Meteorology invited speaker for national broadcast. Melbourne. 4 April 2018.
  • Chair for Science Technology Australia – Science meets Business. 9 November 2017.
  • Invited expert motivational speaker for CSIRO ON Accelerate Program. Cockatoo Island, NSW. 17-18 October 2017.
  • Invited keynote speaker for disadvantaged and underprivilaged students in STEM with Monash University and University of Melbourne. 27 September 2017.
  • Panel expert for Cultural Diversity in the Professions (Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity) joined by  Mr John W.H. Denton AO (Partner and CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth); Mr Tony Johnson (CEO, EY Oceania); Mr Luke Sayers (CEO, PwC Australia) and Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM (Oncologist and author). 10 August 2017.
  • Professional mentor for Dual Identity Leadership Programs. 3 August 2017. 
  • Motivational speaker for the Department of Defence, Science and Technology Group for gender equality in STEM. Port Melbourne. 1 August 2017. 
  • Research advisor for the Garcinia humilis industry with Achacha farms. 2016.
  • Scientific mentor for Asian women researchers and academics in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia (2009-present).
  • Coordinator and supervisor for work integrated learning linking high achieving students with industry (Wains Orchids).
  • Invited science speaker and workshop coordinator at Deer Park North Primary School to inspire young children and their future careers in environmental and plant sciences.    
  • Environmental and conservation advisor for Australian Native Orchid Society (Victoria), Parks Victoria, Department for Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Royal Botanical Gardens and the Country Fire Authority since 2002. 

 

In the Media

Research Imagery

Field trip excursions to see plants in the real environment

Practical hands-on industry experience

Interaction and collaborations with major agricultural industries

Field research in environmental sustainability and climate change

Publications

Supervisor Projects

Note: Supervision projects since 2004

12 PhD Completions and 2 Masters by Research Completions3 PhD Current Supervisions

Supervisor Interests

Photobiology (Oncology) Research, Neuropharmacology (Neuroscience) Research, Cardiovascular Research, Orchidology Research

Grants

  • Key steps to aid the recovery of the endangered karak (red-tailed black cockatoo) and buloke (bull oak) in south-eastern Australia. Funded by: Wettenhall Environment Trust from (2018 to 2019)
  • Conservation of the critically endangered Caladenia robinsonii. Funded by: Victorian Landcare Gateway Community and Volunteer Action Grants 2017 from (2017 to 2020)
  • Is fire a friend or foe to our native Victorian orchids?. Funded by: Helen Macpherson Smith Grant pre-2014 from (2009 to 2011)
  • Fire-induced morphological and functional differences in orchid mycorrhizal fungi. Funded by: Australian Orchid Foundation Educational Projects from (2008 to 2009)

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