Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha: Happy to see my research contribute to saving many lives

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha during the process of conducting scientific research at the unit. Photo: NVCC

After decades of research on marine toxins and food safety, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography, has become a Vietnamese pioneer in this field in the Western Pacific region. With these contributions, she has become one of two female scientists to be awarded the Kovalevskaia Prize in 2023.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha, with more than 30 years of research on marine toxins and food safety, is a Vietnamese pioneer in this field in the Western Pacific region. She has chaired 6 scientific research projects at the State and Academy levels, and is a key member of many other projects; published 104 scientific articles, published 1 monograph and 1 chapter of another bilingual monograph. Her research results have contributed to reducing the risk to public health from poisonous marine animals in Vietnam. She received certificates of merit from the President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in 2016, 2017 and 2022, was the winner of the "Face of the Year" award from the Vietnam Civil Servants' Union in 2022, and the Creative Labor Certificate from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in 2020... She is currently the only female Director out of 16 Directors of the Institute of Oceanography from 1922 to present.

On this occasion, PNVN Newspaper reporter had a conversation with Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha about her scientific research journey.

On March 7, 2024, at the Government Office, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai presented the 2023 Kovalevskaia Prize to Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography.

Happy when research results have practical value and are recognized by the community

- Hello Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha! It is known that you are the owner of many research and scientific projects related to seas, islands, and oceans. So among them, which research do you like the most?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha: I have been pursuing the research direction of marine toxins and food safety for a long time. The scientific topics I have led always closely follow the prominent and pressing issues of society and the need to meet the quality of seafood in the domestic and export markets. My research team and I have gradually solved the gaps in the research direction of marine toxins and food safety in Vietnam. Choosing the approach of following cases of marine food poisoning when no one knows the cause, our research results are scientific evidence of the nature, composition and characteristics of toxins in Vietnamese marine animals.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha - Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Committee on Oceanography of Vietnam. Photo: NVCC

These research results were accumulated, compiled and published in the monograph "Vietnam's Poisonous Marine Animals" (Science and Technology Publishing House, ISBN 978-604-67-1489-7). To do this, I have gathered scientific documents from around the world and research results over nearly 20 years in Vietnam. With the desire to provide a fairly complete monograph, ensuring scientific and practical values ​​in Vietnam, meeting the needs of a large number of readers, I have considered and selected the most basic and outstanding features with images used in the book, most of which were collected by scientific staff of the Institute of Oceanography from survey trips in Vietnam's seas.

The book meets the needs of researchers, managers in related fields and the community to prevent poisoning from poisonous marine animals in Vietnam, protecting human health and life. The book also provides scientific information, a source of guidance for research on exploiting and applying marine toxins to serve life. In particular, the book is my contribution to the activity on "Journeys in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 - 2030)".

- What is the strongest motivation that helps you nurture your passion for pursuing your scientific research path?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha: As a Vietnamese pioneer in the research direction of marine toxins - a difficult research direction, it can be said that we started with many difficulties in terms of approach and research methods. But then, with continuous efforts, step by step, the research direction of marine toxins in Vietnam was recognized internationally, our experience and knowledge in this field are being highly appreciated, having important reference value and affirmation of science in Vietnam's dialogue at international forums to protect the interests of exported seafood products and enhance the reputation of Vietnam's scientific capacity.

In particular, I have had moments of tears of joy when medical doctors contacted me to thank me for successfully treating and saving victims of food poisoning from poisonous animals (puffer fish, so, reef crabs, etc.) from the scientific information about the nature of toxins that I provided. Or the times I heard coastal residents say that they gave up the habit of eating puffer fish since they learned that puffer fish meat is still poisonous even after being cooked for several hours... These examples prove that our research results have practical value, are recognized by the community and have led to a life where Vietnamese people are healthier and better. That is the motivation to nurture passion, to pursue research in the context of increasingly complex developments of the marine environment in the context of global climate change, the situation of seafood poisoning has also become more complicated, with the appearance of some marine toxins that have not been recorded in Vietnam before.

- It is known that you are the only female Director out of 16 Directors of the Institute of Oceanography from 1922 to present. What advantages and disadvantages does that have on your scientific research process?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha: As the only female director among 16 directors of the Institute of Oceanography from 1922 to present, I myself have inherited the experiences and achievements of previous generations and received the attention and investment of the Government, the State and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in building potential, in developing highly qualified human resources and in strategic orientation of marine science and technology. I have collective strength from the solidarity, unity and high sense of responsibility of each individual officer and civil servant of the Institute of Oceanography in the unit's activities.

Due to the specific nature of marine science and technology research, there are jobs of unit leaders that seem not to be for women, for example, organizing, operating or directly participating in marine survey trips; responding to and handling situations and needing to make appropriate decisions to ensure safety, human life, protect state assets (survey equipment...) but still ensure work efficiency, complete tasks...

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha and his colleagues during the process of conducting scientific research. Photo: NVCC

In recent times, the Institute of Oceanography has promoted the collective intellectual strength, overcome difficulties and challenges to build scientific potential and achieve achievements in research activities, training of scientific staff, international cooperation, management and development of facilities to become a strong research center on oceanography in Southeast Asia, affirming its reputation and position in the international arena.

To pursue passion, one must be patient, endure hardship, and withstand pressure from many sides.

- It is known that, as Director of the Nha Trang Oceanographic Museum, you have developed ideas and implemented innovative solutions, expanding the exhibition system to spread and enhance awareness of environmental resource protection and sea and island sovereignty in the community. Can you share more specifically about this activity?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha: In recent times, in order to create outstanding highlights in the propaganda work to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, especially for the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, I have come up with ideas and implemented new exhibition topics. Typical examples are the exhibition area "Hoang Sa-Truong Sa marine resources" and the exhibition area of ​​the set of sea maps published during the French period "Presence in the East Sea". The exhibition area "Hoang Sa-Truong Sa marine resources" is the focal point of communication activities on the sovereignty of the sea and islands, built with a diverse layout with many documents related to research activities, exploitation and use of resources in the history of Vietnam and specimens as well as living creatures related to these two sacred archipelagos.

The new exhibition with the theme "Ocean Vitality" in the exhibition area "Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Marine Resources" includes a complex of large-scale marine life tanks with modern technology that we have put into operation since 2020 to introduce the achievements of the Institute's application of science and technology as well as the richness of marine resources of these two sacred archipelagos. "Ocean Vitality" has created great attraction, resonated with the community; thereby, the message about the value of resources and the awareness of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland is conveyed and spread. The map exhibition area "Presence in the East Sea" is a message to communicate the continuous process of exercising Vietnam's sovereignty in the East Sea including the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

- After more than 30 years of participating in scientific research, what are your biggest wishes and concerns now?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha: After more than 30 years of doing scientific research, what I always keep in mind is that to pursue one's passion, one must be patient, endure hardships, and endure pressure from many sides. My biggest concern now is maintaining continuity through training and how to create a good working environment for the younger generation, thereby encouraging young scientists, especially female scientists, to boldly participate in research to face and overcome challenges.

Thank you very much!

In Vietnam, since 1985, the Kovalevskaia Prize has been awarded to outstanding female scientists in the field of natural sciences. Over the past 38 years, 22 groups and 53 outstanding female scientists in various fields have been honored.

The 2023 Kovalevskaia Prize was awarded to two individuals: Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Professor, Dr. Hoang Thi Thai Hoa, Head of the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Ministry of Education and Training, for their outstanding achievements in scientific research and practical application.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/pgsts-dao-viet-ha-hanh-phuc-khi-thay-nghien-cuu-cua-minh-gop-phan-cuu-song-nhieu-nguoi-20240307153341704.htm