L'Oréal-UNESCO Prize 2023 honors 3 outstanding female scientists

With potential research in the fields of materials science and life science, three young female scientists from Vietnam have been awarded the L'Oréal - UNESCO Science Prize for Women in Science.

Giải thưởng L’Oréal-UNESCO 2023 vinh danh 3 nhà khoa học nữ xuất sắc

3 Vietnamese female scientists were awarded the 2023 L'Oréal - UNESCO Prize. (Source: Organizing Committee)

Recently, the L'Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science Awards program held the 2023 Outstanding Female Scientist Award Ceremony for Dr. Tran Thi Kim Chi; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ai Nhung. These are 3 Vietnamese female scientists with potential research projects in the fields of materials science and life science.

At the ceremony, the National Science Council announced and awarded prizes to three outstanding young scientists in the two fields of materials science and life science, with a value of 150 million VND for each winning candidate.

The 3 outstanding female scientists honored in 2023 include: Dr. Tran Thi Kim Chi (Head of Electron Microscopy Department, Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology); Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai (Deputy Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City); Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ai Nhung (Director of the Center for Research, Production and Technology Transfer, Institute for Research and Application of Science and Technology; Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Sciences, Hue University).

Dr. Tran Thi Kim Chi is the author of 52 international articles, 23 domestic articles and chaired 8 basic and national scientific research topics with a focus on the field of optoelectronics, and recently research on the fabrication of electrochromic windows combined with energy storage.

Dr. Tran Thi Kim Chi has researched the properties of a new generation of batteries that are not harmful to the environment and have low production costs to replace current batteries. This research, when applied, will avoid the mining of toxic transition metals in batteries currently in use, which pollutes the environment.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai is the author and co-author of 3 book chapters and 72 articles with 25 ISI/Scopus articles in the field of proteomics and drug resistance research.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai has researched solutions to help reduce antibiotic resistance and increase treatment effectiveness. This study will apply digital droplet PCR technique, a recently developed nucleic acid amplification technology. This technology has high sensitivity, accuracy, and focus, the ability to quantify microorganisms even at very low concentrations, and the ability to work well with clinical samples.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai's research aims to develop new tests to quickly detect the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in clinical samples, better supporting doctors in diagnosing drug resistance and suggesting drug use. Thereby supporting the treatment process, reducing the development and spread of drug resistance, making an important contribution to protecting public health.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ai Nhung has published 37 international works, including 27 first-named works, is the co-author of 3 specialized books, and is the head of 4 scientific research topics.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ai Nhung has researched to find natural compounds with antibacterial and antiviral potential, acting as natural antibiotics that can replace current drugs.

The objective of the study is to screen natural compounds from some new and endemic medicinal plants in Vietnam such as black ginger, spider eggs, Phong Dien stone garlic, dandelion, medicinal mushrooms, etc. and to examine in detail the structure, chemical properties, pharmacological properties and biological activities of natural compounds. From there, evaluate the ability to inhibit bacteria and disease syndromes (Alzheimer, diabetes, etc.) of natural compounds and compare them with control drugs.

The research results of the project have aimed to build a data set on the structure and properties of potential natural compounds in inhibiting bacteria and some disease syndromes, providing a reliable scientific basis for in-depth research on natural pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical chemistry to prepare drugs of natural origin, applied in disease prevention and treatment support, helping to improve public health.

Since 2009, the L'Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science Award has been introduced to Vietnam, aiming to support and encourage the improvement of scientific knowledge, creativity and passion from female scientists around the world.

Over the past 14 years, this award has honored 38 outstanding female scientists of Vietnam, through research that is considered to have important scientific significance, contributing to improving and changing the lives of the community and demonstrating their passion for scientific research.

Outstanding Vietnamese female scientists have been nominated for international awards and three scientists have won the International Young Talent Scientist Award in 2015, 2018 and 2022.

Source