Winners of VinFuture Prize inspire people to engage in scientific research

ABO/NDO – Scientists, who were the winners of the VinFuture Prize, had a dialogue in Hanoi on January 21, with Vietnamese people to share stories about their journeys of scientific breakthroughs and innovations.

Previously, at the award ceremony on the evening of January 20, four prizes including one grand and three special prizes, were handed over to seven of the world’s leading scientists, whose researches have impacted and changed the lives of millions of people.

Taking place right after the VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony, the dialogue shed light on the prize winners’ personal endeavours, what has motivated them to pursue the challenging scientific path, their eureka moments, the obstacles, and difficulties they have overcome, as well as the changes their innovations have brought to life.

Winners of VinFuture Prize inspire people to engage in scientific research (Photo: NDO/Thao Le).

At the dialogue, US professor Omar Yaghi talked about his research, and the significance of research on water and material science.

For her part, Chinese-American scientist Zhenan Bao introduced the audience to her research on organic semiconductors, carbon nanotube, and notably "electronic skins", which help to offer an enhanced sense of touch for people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, South African scientists Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim shared the story behind their invention of a gel with tenofovir, a product for women to prevent HIV infection.

Concluding the dialogue, three scientists, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman from the US and Pieter Rutter Cullis from Canada, who received the three million USD VinFuture Grand Prize, shared their joint research on mRNA vaccine technology.

Katalin Kariko said that she hadn’t thought of creating great things. However, the dream of bringing good things to life, motivated her and her two colleagues to develop the revolutionary mRNA technology inside vaccines, which have helped to save the lives of billions of people around the planet.

The sharing of scientists at the dialogue inspired the audience, including young people, to engage in scientific research, which can benefit the community in the near future.

(Source: NDO)