Female scientist wins VinFuture Prize 2024: "Don't be afraid to move forward"

On the morning of December 7th, on the sidelines of a meeting between scientists...   Having won the VinFuture 2024 Award, Professor Kristi Anseth held a press conference.

Scientists who won the VinFuture 2024 award interact with students. Photo: Den Phu.

Beginning the exchange, Professor Kristi Anseth, a scientist from the United States who won the Special Prize for female scientists, said she felt very surprised and happy because this is a recognition for women in scientific research. Professor Kristi Anseth, at the VinFuture 2024 awards ceremony on the evening of December 6th, you thanked your husband and daughter. Could you share more specifically about the support your family has given you the motivation to strive and develop your scientific research career? My husband is also a university lecturer, so we have in common the teaching and education aspects, which allows us to support each other and share ideas. As for my 17-year-old daughter, she is in her final year of high school and is also very interested in scientific research.

Professor Kristi Anseth speaks with the press on the morning of December 7th. Photo: Den Phu.

Currently, the world faces many problems, and finding solutions requires the presence of scientists, especially female scientists. The VinFuture Award has honored female scientists, which has greatly motivated us in our research. As a female scientist, you will face more difficulties than your male counterpart. So, Professor, could you offer some advice to young female students pursuing their passions and research? We can see that female scientists have many opportunities, but also many challenges. My advice is to find a mentor who is like yourself, especially a female scientist who is both successful in her scientific research and able to take care of her family. Another piece of advice is that we shouldn't be afraid to move forward. Professor, your research has already saved millions of lives. Do you have any plans for the future? Furthermore, does the professor intend to collaborate with Vietnamese scientists on regenerative tissue? We have made significant progress in the field of biomaterials, such as the ability to regenerate tissues or muscles in cases of disease or injury. However, complex problems that need to be solved in the brain, kidney transplantation, etc., are becoming increasingly complicated.

Kristi Anseth, a scientist from the United States, won the VinFuture 2024 Special Award for Female Scientists. Photo: VinFuture

From Vietnam's perspective, I see a rapidly developing research environment, with many research facilities focusing on cell biology and cardiovascular diseases being built. Cardiovascular issues are currently a prominent concern in Vietnam, and this development will open up opportunities for cooperation and exchange with modern medicine. Furthermore, Vietnam has a young generation that will drive collaboration to help us address the issues I just mentioned, not only in Vietnam but globally. Professor, in daily life, muscle damage and atrophy are unavoidable. What advice can you offer to help people protect their health from the outset and avoid the need for replacements? Actually, prevention is one of the first things to consider. The aging of muscle tissue is normal. Therefore, we must exercise regularly. From the age of 30, muscle tissue begins to age; with exercise, it will regenerate. Furthermore, diet, stress reduction, and infection-related issues, if controlled, can prevent aging and damage to muscle tissue. So, Professor, are you willing to collaborate, share, and research with young Vietnamese scientists to create works that have a significant impact on life? Of course, we have many opportunities to work together, so I also need to make more trips to Vietnam to exchange ideas with students. Especially exchanges between Vietnamese and American students, so we can share innovative and creative ideas. Thank you, Professor! Source: https://laodong.vn/cong-nghe/nha-khoa-hoc-nu-doat-giai-vinfuture-2024-khong-so-hai-de-tien-len-1431834.ldo