Vietnamese physicist "beauty" in Europe

Sharing by Ms. Pham Le Ha Thu (Joni Pham), a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and a physicist working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11).

Physicist Joni Pham next to the ATLAS system located at the CERN center. (Source: CERN)

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day is celebrated worldwide as a time to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

On this occasion, Ms. Pham Le Ha Thu (Joni Pham), a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and a physicist working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), shared about her work, as well as her passion for science.

CERN is a research center that owns the world's largest particle accelerator, famous for groundbreaking scientific discoveries, with the goal of decoding the mysteries of the universe such as dark matter and dark energy, while affirming the role of science in promoting peace in a turbulent world.

Physicist Joni Pham said that in addition to her professional work, she is also in charge of operations and outreach for the ATLAS experiment, and other communications and education activities related to CERN's Science Portal.

“As a scientist, in addition to my main job, I am also very interested in introducing people to the ATLAS experiment being conducted at CERN. This is a work that is focused on developing at this center, with the hope of being able to promote particle collisions. And with this, I find more motivation and meaning in my research project,” said physicist Joni Pham.

In 2024, Joni Pham herself also participated in introducing the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva to visit CERN.

“My passion for science was sparked by my curiosity to explore. I am fascinated by ‘worlds that are invisible to the naked eye, such as atoms and subatomic particles’. When I started working as a switcher controlling the operations of a part of ATLAS, I was very nervous, but with everyone’s support, I was able to complete the job. Now that I have become a shift leader, I am truly grateful to everyone who gave me the opportunity to work at CERN. They are the people who constantly encourage me to go beyond my comfort zone.”

Recently, during a trip back to visit her family in Vietnam and explore new lands, such as Ha Giang, physicist Joni Pham said she was very moved when witnessing the country's changes.

“I left Vietnam at a time when the country was opening up to many foreign brands, and chains like Starbucks were becoming a big draw for young people. Vietnamese restaurants were also following European and American or Korean trends.

This time returning to Vietnam after nearly a decade away from home, I am happy to see the rise of purely Vietnamese brands, with their presentation and culinary styles imbued with national identity. Coffee chains like Cong have recreated the lives of previous generations..., images that are very ordinary and familiar to all families," said physicist Joni Pham.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many coffee shops have opened in old apartment buildings, recreating scenes from more than half a century ago. According to her, this proves that young people increasingly appreciate cultural and historical values. Nostalgic shops are also great places for families, helping to connect generations, helping the elderly find a whole world of memories, and young people to touch things they can only imagine from the stories of previous generations.

Joni Pham also pays special attention to the trendy choices of today's youth such as egg coffee, salt coffee, coconut milk coffee, or tropical fruit teas - drinks and ingredients with a very Vietnamese style.

Small coffee shops, not part of any chain, also express themselves in unique ways - roasting coffee on-site, educating and introducing visitors to local coffee varieties and different brewing methods. Some places also open workshops on Vietnamese coffee or tea so that foreign visitors can learn, enjoy and experience Vietnamese culinary culture.

"Through new experiences in my own homeland, I am happy to see new and optimistic signals about sustainable tourism and economic development from young people, through awareness of protecting nature and the environment and efforts to preserve and promote cultural and historical values," physicist Joni Pham emphasized.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngay-quoc-te-phu-nu-va-tre-em-gai-trong-khoa-hoc-bong-hong-vat-ly-viet-nam-o-chau-au-303907.html