Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Van was honored by L’Oréal – UNESCO as a Young Talented Scientist of the World in 2022 for her contributions in the field of fuel cells.
The award ceremony for the Young Talented Scientist of the World took place on June 22nd in Paris, as part of the L’Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science program. Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Van, along with 14 outstanding young female scientists representing five continents, was honored with this prestigious award this year. The award recognizes female scientists in the fields of Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science.
This marks the third time a Vietnamese scientist has been recognized with this award. The award comes with a prize of €15,000 (approximately $15,840), along with leadership training programs for women.
Associate Professor Ho Thi Thanh Van (right) receiving the award in Paris on June 22. (Photo: Organizing Committee)
Associate Professor Ho Thi Thanh Van is currently a lecturer and the Head of the Department of Science and Technology and International Relations at the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Ho Chi Minh City. She was selected by the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Global Council for her research on fuel cells.
Her work has replaced platinum in fuel cells, reducing costs while increasing durability. As a result, she has developed a type of fuel cell that is 20% cheaper than conventional ones. Previously, a fuel cell system cost around 300 million VND, but now it only costs 240 million VND.
This research is recognized for optimizing the operation of fuel cells to improve efficiency and enable sustainable hydrogen energy production, thereby avoiding fossil fuel combustion and reducing carbon emissions.
This research was previously awarded the title of Vietnam’s Outstanding Female Scientist by the National Council of Science of L’Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science in 2019.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Van, the success of this research will contribute to paving the way for a transition to a circular economy, where renewable, green, and sustainable fuels are utilized in a continuous cycle. “This approach will shape the energy technology and engineering solutions of the 21st century,” she stated.
Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Van in the laboratory. (Photo: Provided by the author)
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tuyet Trinh, Director of the National Science Award program of L’Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science in Vietnam, stated that since its inception in 2009, the program has honored 32 Vietnamese female scientists and has helped connect them with the international scientific research community. The program also supports the introduction of scientific research contributions by Vietnamese female scientists that address modern societal challenges to the world.
