Physicist Joni Pham: Passion for nuclear science and Vietnamese coffee

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

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

On this occasion, VNA reporter in Geneva interviewed 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).

This 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 that is being carried out at CERN. This is a work that is being developed 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,” she said.

In 2024, Joni Pham herself participated in introducing the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva to visit CERN. On this occasion, she also described her work in detail, as well as shared more about her passion for science.

“My passion for science was sparked by a curiosity to explore,” she says. “I am fascinated by ‘worlds that are invisible to the naked eye, such as atoms and subatomic particles.’ When I first started working as a switcher controlling the operations of an ATLAS component, I was nervous, but with everyone’s support, I was able to do it. 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 ones who constantly encourage me to push myself 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.

She shared: “I left Vietnam at a time when the country opened its doors to many foreign brands, and chain stores like Starbucks became a place of great attraction for young people. Vietnamese shops also followed 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 a style of decoration as well as a culinary style imbued with national identity. Coffee chains like Cong have recreated the lives of previous generations..., images that are very simple and familiar to all families."

Joni Pham commented that in Ho Chi Minh City, many coffee shops have been opened in old apartment buildings, recreating the scene of more than half a century ago. This proves that young people increasingly appreciate cultural and historical values.

Nostalgic shops are also great places for families, connecting generations, helping the elderly to find a world of memories, while the young can touch things they can only imagine from the stories of previous generations.

Besides, the trendy choices of young people today are egg coffee, salted coffee, coconut milk coffee, or tropical fruit teas - drinks and ingredients with a very Vietnamese style.

Small, non-chain coffee shops also present themselves in unique ways – roasting coffee on-site, educating and introducing visitors to local coffees and different brewing methods.

Some places also open workshops on Vietnamese coffee or tea ceremony so that foreign tourists can learn, enjoy and experience Vietnamese culinary culture.