Dr. Ha Thi Thanh Huong (35 years old) - Head of the Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City - believes that scientific research in the field of biomedical engineering must create solutions that can be implemented and used in practice, bringing benefits to patients and reducing the workload for doctors. After many years of studying and researching at Stanford University (USA), completing her doctoral program, in 2018 she chose to return to Vietnam to find solutions to problems related to the brain, contributing to improving the intellectual and mental health of Vietnamese people.
From a girl who loves biology to a top female doctor
Born into a family with parents who were Biology and Chemistry teachers, Huong's studies in natural sciences were quite smooth, especially Biology. During her high school years at the Gifted High School, when she followed a relative suffering from depression to a psychiatric hospital, Huong realized the limitations of the mental health care system in Vietnam. From there, she had the idea of improving this situation.
In 2007, Ms. Huong was admitted to the Biotechnology major at the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. After 4 years of studying and researching knowledge about molecular biology, stem cells, and biotechnology, she graduated as valedictorian here.
After graduating from college with excellent results, she received a scholarship to study abroad at Stanford University, one of the most prestigious schools in the world. At Stanford University, she worked with leading scientists and had access to the most advanced research technologies. However, living away from home and the pressure of studying also posed many challenges for her.
Recalling her first days at Stanford, Ms. Huong shared: "I felt like a small grain of sand in a vast ocean of knowledge. But it was the differences in culture, language and learning environment that helped me grow a lot."
In 2018, after completing her PhD in the US, Ms. Huong decided to return to Vietnam. Since her school days, she has cherished the dream of contributing to her homeland, changing the lives of those around her, especially those facing mental health issues.
“When I saw people struggling with mental illness, I realized that we needed to do more.
Simply comforting them is not enough. We need scientific evidence and solutions to help them overcome difficulties," Dr. Huong shared.
From Stanford to Vietnam, sowing the seeds of science
Returning to Vietnam, Ms. Huong chose the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, International University as the place to stop for her research career and to search for and develop “new seeds”. During this time, she has made constant efforts to build a cooperative network with experts and hospitals. From practical surveys, she realized that two major problems that need to be urgently solved are stress-related diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (a brain disease that causes memory loss and thinking ability).
With a burning passion and constant perseverance, Dr. Huong founded the Brain Health Lab research group consisting of colleagues, graduate students and students. Her group has focused on researching and developing solutions to improve brain function, especially for Alzheimer's patients.
One of the team's most notable achievements is the Brain Analytics software. This software is capable of analyzing MRI images of the patient's brain and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease accurately and quickly, helping doctors develop effective treatment regimens. Not stopping there, the research team also successfully developed a rapid test kit for Alzheimer's disease, making diagnosis easier and more convenient, especially in remote areas.
To date, Dr. Huong’s research portfolio has grown to include 30 projects, mainly focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and mental health in general. The path of science is not paved with roses. Writing articles, applying for funding, finding partners… every step is a challenge. But when she sees the bright eyes of students when discovering something new, or the positive feedback from patients, Ms. Huong feels that all the efforts are worth it.
"There are days when I work late into the night, and nights when I can't sleep because of an unsatisfactory research result. But when I think about the patients waiting, I have more motivation to try. I believe that our research will contribute a small part to improving their lives," Ms. Huong shared.
Dr. Ha Thi Thanh Huong has many articles published in International Science Journals. She was nominated for four awards in 2023: Golden Globe, National Outstanding Teacher, Women of the Future Southeast Asia 2023 and Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City.
