From lecture hall to laboratory
From her student years, Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh showed a particular passion for fundamental sciences , especially chemistry. During her studies and research, she realized that interdisciplinary works on materials science based on chemical knowledge had the potential to expand applications to many fields such as biomedicine, pharmacology, and environmental science.
According to Thuy Linh, research into new materials not only yields exciting academic discoveries but also has practical applications, contributing to improving human health and enhancing the quality of life. This intersection between scientific significance and practical application has become the driving force that motivates her to persevere in pursuing the challenging path of scientific research.
With over 15 years dedicated to research, Dr. Linh has participated in 20 scientific projects, including leading 6 projects, and published more than 65 international papers in prestigious journals. Her research areas span from nanomaterials, synthetic chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry to environmental sensors. These are all works with high scientific value and potential for application, contributing to promoting the localization of technology, reducing the cost of imported raw materials, and moving towards sustainable development.
"The reality is that Vietnam's pharmaceutical industry still relies heavily on imported raw materials, while the demand for medicines from patients is constantly increasing. I've always been concerned about how we can create new materials to help the country become more proactive in pharmaceutical production. This aspiration is what motivates me to persistently pursue this research direction," Thuy Linh shared.
Some days, she starts work at 7 a.m. and only leaves the lab when the clock strikes 8 p.m. “Once I start a series of experiments, I’m always eager to see the results, so I often stay late to finish them. When I get home, I look up the materials again,” Thuy Linh recounts.
After many years of diligent research, Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh and her colleagues were granted Patent No. 10-2521051 (dated December 29, 2023) by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, entitled “A method for synthesizing aldehyde compound using metal-organic framework (MOF)”.
This invention proposes a method using MOF materials as catalysts to synthesize aldehyde-containing compounds from hydrocarbons, a crucial reaction in pharmaceutical synthesis. This process offers several significant advantages: simple execution conditions, low temperature, low cost, and high efficiency and selectivity. Importantly, the catalyst material can be reused multiple times without loss of activity, contributing to a green, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly production process.
Beyond its scientific significance, this work also opens up potential applications in the synthesis of bioactive organic compounds, especially derivatives used in the treatment of neurological diseases and Alzheimer's. This is considered a research direction with high practical value, contributing to the realization of the goal of self-sufficiency in raw materials and domestic drug production, in line with the development orientation of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry for the period 2030, with a vision to 2045.
According to Thuy Linh, the journey from idea to scientific product always requires a long time and significant resources. The partnership of businesses is especially important, not only helping to shorten the testing process but also contributing to bringing research results into practice more quickly.
"Businesses often only get involved when the product is nearly complete, but if they partner from the beginning, the research and application process will be much faster and more efficient. I hope there will be more businesses willing to accompany scientists on the journey from research to product," Dr. Linh expressed.
Overcoming challenges and instilling a passion for scientific research in students.
Like many women in science, Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh's research journey has been fraught with challenges as she has had to balance work, family, and motherhood.
“In 2017, I became pregnant, so my research was interrupted. In the field of experimental science, pregnant women cannot enter the laboratory due to the risk of chemical exposure, so I was forced to take a long break. Only when my child was older could I return to my normal work routine,” Linh shared.
For three years, while pregnant, giving birth, and raising a young child, she had to carefully manage her time to maintain her work, read materials, mentor students, and prepare for her doctoral dissertation. "That was the most challenging period, but also the time I learned the most about perseverance and work-life balance," she said.
Fortunately, having a husband working in the same field, she received support and encouragement at every stage. Furthermore, the open research environment at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, where research in nanomaterials is thriving, provided her with favorable conditions to access new knowledge, expand international collaborations, and develop her work.
For Thuy Linh, a scientist not only creates pioneering works but also must transfer the results into practice. Research opens up new knowledge, while application transforms that knowledge into value for society. The greatest joy in research is connecting theory and experiment. "My field is experimental, so when the results differ from predictions, I'm happy because I may have just touched upon something that science has never discovered before," she shared with a smile.
When asked what helps her maintain her passion for research, which is fraught with difficulties and demands patience, Thuy Linh shared: “There are times when the pressures of research, teaching, and personal life make me tired and stressed, but I have never considered giving up. My belief in the path I have chosen and the opportunity to learn and research, along with the encouragement of my family, colleagues, and students, has helped me regain balance, continue moving forward, and conquer new challenges. Every difficulty is an opportunity to learn. Whenever the research results can lead to applications in medicine or the environment, I feel that all the effort is worthwhile.”
Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh's greatest dream is to create products with practical value for the community. To realize this aspiration, she is building a research group where students, trainees, and researchers can learn, innovate, and develop in an open and humane scientific environment.
Not only is Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh passionate about research, but she is also a dedicated teacher and a source of inspiration for scientific research in the younger generation. After her work in the laboratory, she still dedicates her evenings to reviewing results, discussing and guiding undergraduate and graduate students. She always encourages students to ask questions, explore, and experiment.
"Science begins with curiosity. I hope you understand that failure is not a stopping point, but an opportunity to discover something new. Every piece of data, even if it's inaccurate or not as expected, is still a valuable lesson that helps us improve," Thuy Linh expressed.
For her outstanding contributions to scientific research, Dr. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh was recently awarded the Vietnam Women's Award 2025, and also received the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Award and the Golden Globe Award.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/nu-tien-si-tre-giu-ngon-lua-dam-me-nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-20251020190248689.htm
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