Love Born in the Laboratory

2025-07-08 11:48:00

“Our conversations and courtship were rather unusual – we would discuss international journals, renowned professors, research directions, and experimental procedures… these became an indispensable ‘seasoning’ of our daily life.”

This is how PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh (currently employed at the University of Health Sciences – VNUHCM) describes her love story with her husband, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Doan Le Hoang Tan (Centre for Research on Nano-structured and Molecular Materials, VNU-HCM). Both scientists have received the Golden Globe Science and Technology Award.

From the rural province of Binh Dinh, the petite Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh (born 1990) entered university with aspirations of becoming a teacher. Thuy Linh chose to study Chemistry at the University of Science (VNU-HCM) to satisfy her curiosity about the colourful components of plant leaves. “Throughout my four years of undergraduate study, I never harboured distant ambitions or strived to become a researcher. Everything came to me naturally, what people commonly refer to as fate,” recounts PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh.

In 2012, whilst in her final year as an undergraduate, Thuy Linh was assigned to complete her graduation thesis under the supervision of the young lecturer Doan Le Hoang Tan (born 1987, from Binh Duong province). Her initial impression of her supervisor was of someone cold and stern, yet highly inspiring when passionately discussing chemical experiments. Through intense debates about chemistry and collaborative laboratory work with her supervisor, chemistry gradually permeated her consciousness.

Consequently, immediately after graduation, Thuy Linh set aside her dream of becoming a teacher and chose to remain in the research laboratory with the ambition of becoming a dedicated researcher. After three years of living with her love for chemistry, her feelings and admiration for her supervisor also grew over time, and the young scientific couple officially began their courtship.

After nearly five years of acquaintance and courtship, in 2016, the two young scientists officially married. “Many people often say that couples working in the same place frequently encounter awkward situations or quickly tire of each other. Some friends even jokingly ask: Are you researching to save the world or something? I think differently – if one doesn’t understand their partner’s work, one will only perceive it as the result of ordinary effort. However, when sharing the same profession with my husband, even the moment of discovering a small solution or having a scientific publication accepted is sufficient to foster mutual respect. This is because we both experience the life that lies behind such achievements,” shares PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh.

Discussing Research Even During Childbirth

For the couple, chemistry is life itself. Their passion for chemistry and their love for each other have always journeyed hand in hand. “Some of my research ideas that flourished and succeeded simply emerged from my husband’s casual insights or spontaneous suggestions during breakfast or whilst cooking dinner. For instance, the scientific publication on catalytic materials (2019) and the NH3 gas sensor (2021) were both published in Q1 scientific journals,” relates the female doctorate.

Although having a husband as a “pillar” in scientific research, PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh’s research journey was by no means “entirely rosy”. Her day begins in the research laboratory at 8 a.m. and typically concludes at 5 p.m. In the evenings at home, she utilises her time to write papers and revise undergraduate theses. To obtain a dataset for a scientific publication, she must conduct a series of experimental samples, with each investigated factor requiring repetition for accuracy at least three times. Should she discover data gaps or deviations from predicted trends, she will isolate the area and repeat the experiment. On average, if researching in collaboration with colleagues, she requires 12 to 15 months; if conducting independent research, it takes two years before publication is possible.

As wife, mother, and scientist simultaneously, PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh acknowledges that it is impossible to accomplish all plans concurrently, but sometimes this creates intervals that enable further progress. “In 2018, I temporarily suspended my research to give birth. During the moment of labour pain, my husband still calmly discussed scientific research with me… I wondered why, even whilst I was about to give birth, he still mentioned research matters. He said he was narrating to help me forget the pain,” recounts the female doctorate.

After childbirth, Thuy Linh promptly returned to the “race track” of chemical discovery. To date, PhD. Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh has authored over 40 scientific papers, including 21 papers published in Q1 international scientific journals, 17 papers in Q2 international scientific journals, 4 papers in domestic scientific journals, and has led 2 ministerial-level and equivalent research projects.

Rather than elaborating on her achievements, the modest young doctorate states that she still requires considerable learning from her husband and other accomplished researchers. Now, the couple shares an additional special interest: their child. “My husband and I are nurturing a chemical seedling, introducing our child to chemistry early through activities such as making soap for blowing bubbles…” the female doctorate adds.

According to Tien Phong Newspaper (content has been edited to suit the current timeframe)

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University of Health Sciences – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

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