Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai presents the 2023 Kovalevskaia Prize to Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography (red ao dai) - Photo: VGP/HG
The 2023 Kovalevskaia Award has just honored two female scientists, including Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Thai Hoa, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Committee on Oceanography of Vietnam.
Among them, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha is one of the veteran experts in the field of oceanography, known as a Vietnamese pioneer in researching marine toxins and food safety in Vietnam and the Western Pacific region.
Step by step to solve the "gaps" in the research direction of marine toxins
With more than 30 years of research, to date, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha has chaired 6 scientific research topics at the State level and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology level; published 104 scientific articles, of which 41 were published in prestigious international journals. In addition, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha is also the main author of 1 useful solution, 1 monograph and 1 bilingual monograph chapter on marine toxins and food safety research.
The scientific topics that Associate Professor Dr. Ha has led always closely follow the prominent and "painful" issues of society and the need to meet the quality of seafood in the domestic and export markets. She and her research team have gradually solved the "gaps" in the research direction of marine toxins and food safety in Vietnam.
Choosing the approach of following seafood poisoning cases when no one knows the cause, the research results of her and her colleagues are scientific evidence of the nature, composition and characteristics of toxins in Vietnamese marine animals.
One of the notable research topics of Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha is the study of the toxicity of some species of puffer fish with high productivity in Khanh Hoa sea area to propose a processing procedure to ensure food hygiene and safety (2007-2008).
As the head of an independent project at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha has conducted a study on the toxicity of several species of puffer fish with high production in the Khanh Hoa sea. The study has identified tetrodotoxin as the main toxin in puffer fish species that pose a risk of poisoning in Vietnam and has proven that processed products (fish sauce) from poisonous puffer fish are unsafe.
This is a reliable scientific basis for authorities in managing aquatic product quality and ensuring food hygiene and safety, and rationally using puffer fish resources in Vietnam.
In addition, the scientific information of the topic also contributes to educating and warning the fishing community against the risk of food poisoning, even unfortunate death due to ignorant consumption of puffer fish.
The results of this study were published in 01 international journal, 02 domestic journals and 300 leaflets and 100 posters were distributed to functional units (Preventive Medicine Center, Department of Science and Technology of Khanh Hoa province...) to propagate to the coastal fishing community of Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces, contributing to raising public awareness of the risk of food poisoning from poisonous puffer fish.
Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha and scientific research colleagues.
Sharing about the difficulties for scientists, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha said that as a Vietnamese pioneer in the research direction of marine toxins - a difficult research direction, she initially encountered difficulties in the approach and research methods. Fortunately, up to now, the research direction of marine toxins in Vietnam has gradually been recognized internationally.
The experience and knowledge of her and her colleagues in this field are highly appreciated, have important reference value and affirm the scientific importance in Vietnam's dialogue at international forums to protect the interests of exported seafood products and enhance the reputation of Vietnam's scientific capacity.
Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha cannot forget the moment of tears of joy when medical doctors contacted her to thank her for successfully treating and saving victims of food poisoning from poisonous animals (puffer fish, reef crabs, etc.) based on the scientific information about the nature of the toxins that she provided. Or the times when she heard coastal residents say that they had given 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 healthier and better life for Vietnamese people," Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha confided.
That is also the motivation that nurtures her passion and pursues the research direction of her and her colleagues in the context of increasingly complex developments of the marine environment in the context of global climate change, the situation of seafood poisoning is also becoming more complicated, with the appearance of some marine toxins that have not been previously recorded in Vietnam.
Not only passionate about scientific research, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha also has many contributions to the work of protecting environmental resources and sovereignty of sea and islands.
Be patient, endure hardship, dare to think, dare to do to reach success.
Not only passionate about scientific research, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha is also the only female Director out of 16 Directors of the Institute of Oceanography from 1922 to present. In this position, she has had orientations and led the unit in scientific research, in building potential, in developing highly qualified human resources and in strategic orientations on marine science and technology.
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.
Due to the specific nature of marine science and technology research, there are tasks of unit leaders that seem not "intended" for women such as organizing, operating or directly participating in marine survey trips, responding to and handling situations and requiring appropriate decisions to ensure safety, human life, and protect state assets (survey equipment, etc.), but Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha always tries to ensure work efficiency and complete tasks.
In addition, with the task of Director of the Oceanographic Museum from 2019 to present, she has made many innovations in the form of activities at the Oceanographic Museum to strengthen the promotion and education of the community about the awareness of protecting environmental resources and sovereignty of sea and islands.
As Head of the Department of Marine Science and Technology of the Academy of Science and Technology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha directed and coordinated training on marine science and technology for provinces and cities in the Central and Central Highlands regions; was a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo, Japan and a visiting lecturer at the Vietnam People's Navy Command...
In addition, the international activities of Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Ha in the positions of Chairman of the Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission on Oceanography and member of the Legal and Technical Committee of the Seabed Authority have contributed to enhancing Vietnam's image and position internationally and protecting national security, sovereignty and interests at sea.
With more than 30 years of research experience, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Viet Ha believes that to pursue their passion, scientists need to be diligent, endure hardship, dare to think, and dare to do to achieve success.
Women’s scientific level and capacity are not inferior to men’s and modern women today are no longer hindered by family and society. However, the biggest concern of female Associate Professors today is to train and create a good working environment for the younger generation, thereby encouraging young scientists, especially female scientists.
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nha-khoa-hoc-nu-tien-phong-trong-nghien-cuu-doc-to-bien-10224030816265083.htm
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