Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell Research and Gene Technology, Elected to the Global Young Academy, due to her outstanding achievements and ability to make a significant impact in the field of research.
Surpassing hundreds of nominations, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, 33 years old, is one of 45 researchers from 30 countries who became a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) for 2024. As the only representative from Vietnam, Dr. Thao will be honored at the GYA’s annual meeting in Washington, USA, scheduled for May 5-10. Among the four Vietnamese scientists elected in recent years, Dr. Thao is the first female scientist.
The Global Young Academy selects young scientists under 40 with outstanding achievements from around the world to participate in the annual GYA General Assembly. Researchers elected to the GYA must demonstrate excellence in their field, have a significant impact on research, support young scholars, promote science, engage in policy debates, and foster international and interdisciplinary collaboration.
With a five-year term, members from each country will participate in developing international science policy, promote the establishment of young academies in their nations, exchange ideas, and support science education at the international level on various topics, including those related to young scientists.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao at the World Health Summit, Berlin, Germany in 2022. (Photo: NVCC).
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao focuses on research in public health, mental health, psychology, and artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. One of her notable works includes the application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in diagnosing and screening mental disorders such as major depressive disorder, fatigue disorder, mood disorder, and sleep disorder in stroke patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Thao also participated in studies on mental health, assessing the impact of the pandemic on students and healthcare workers.
Dr. Thao graduated as a Doctor of Medicine, specializing in Preventive Medicine at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2014. She later earned her medical master’s degree in 2018 and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Hanoi Medical University in 2023. She has published 16 international scientific articles in prestigious journals (9 of which she is the first author). She has received numerous awards and is currently the President of the Academy of Medicine in Vietnam.
In an interview, Dr. Thao expressed her joy and surprise at being the only Vietnamese selected for this term, despite the stringent selection criteria. She described this as a “wonderful opportunity and hopes to contribute to the mission of the community.”
Among the GYA members for 2024, there are 25 female scientists. She noted that the biggest obstacle she faced entering the academic environment was being a woman over 30 with a young son. “I have to deal with biases and stereotypes about gender and the pressure to balance family responsibilities with pursuing science,” she shared.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao (top row, second from left) with colleagues at an advanced course on epidemic response at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. (Photo: NVCC).
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The GYA was established in February 2010, bringing together leading scientists to create a unified voice for young scientists regarding sustainable development policies globally. The Academy has a maximum of 200 members, elected from young scientists (under 40) with outstanding scientific achievements from various countries. Previously, Vietnam had Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Van Thanh (Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, participated in 2010); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Huy, Phenikaa University (2017); and Prof. Dr. Tran Xuan Bach, Hanoi Medical University (2018), elected as members. The GYA is headquartered in Halle, Germany, primarily sponsored by the Leopoldina Academy of Sciences in Germany and the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education. Each year, GYA members are invited to attend the annual conference to discuss scientific issues alongside distinguished guest scientists and renowned political activists. Currently, the GYA has attracted members from over 67 countries and territories worldwide. |
