Masters student Chau Tran is pulling on her running shoes to say thanks for her opportunity to research cancer treatments at the Erasmus Medical Centre, through a scholarship at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
The scientist from Vietnam has signed up for the Erasmus 10k Charity Run in April, to help raise money to fund future scholarships for talented young people from developing countries: “I’ll admit I’m new to running, but I’ve started training at weekends and perhaps some of my friends will join me on the day as the event is one of the highlights of the university year.”
So many inspirational scientists
Chau got an early insight into the excitement of science when her high school project on home-based aquaponics was shortlisted for an international science fair. The three-strong group flew to Arizona to present it to the judges: “At 17 years old, we got the chance to meet so many inspirational scientists in the United States and realised we too could be like them, although research was not much focused in Vietnam at that time.”
Not the right thing for her
After a year in medical school, Chau realized a career as a doctor wasn’t for her and decided to follow her earlier interests in science. She studied for a BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Hong Kong and became a research assistant looking at innovative ways to diagnose malaria. During her studies, she conducted transdisciplinary research with students from the University of Utrecht which inspired her to consider continuing her education in the Netherlands.
It would have been impossible for me to finance my studies without these awards
Achieve my potential
Chau secured two scholarships from EUR to cover tuition fees and living expenses during the two- year Masters programme in Molecular Medicine. “It would have been impossible for me to finance my studies without these awards and I am very grateful to the Erasmus Trust Fund for this amazing opportunity. I know studying here will help me to achieve my potential as a scientist”, she says.
Living in the Netherlands has been life-changing: “Rotterdam is very dynamic with people from so many cultures, you can sense it in the air when you arrive in the city. Half of my class are medical students, the rest are with a science background, and we come from several different countries. All the time, I’m broadening my experience in research and making contacts. I’m using molecular approaches to improve cancer treatments. My first project used biological nanoparticles to target cancer cells, the second used oncolytic viruses to stimulate anti-tumour immune response.”
Encouraging young people
Chau is considering pursuing a PhD research degree after graduation. She is also looking ahead to further career options and is interested in entrepreneurship and developing new technologies that can be transferred back to Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Encouraging young people in her home country to study STEM subjects is Chau’s passion: “Before I went to Hong Kong, I got together with friends to hold workshops for secondary school pupils to inspire them to apply their knowledge into creating robots, flying objects, holograms, and many more products. This is something I want to re-create after I graduate. There are so many exciting global opportunities in science and I want Vietnam to be at the heart of them.”
The Erasmus 10k Charity Run on Sunday, April 16 is officially part of the Rotterdam Marathon. The University encourages students, academics, and staff to take part by running or donating to raise funds for talented but disadvantaged students who otherwise may not be able to afford to study.
- More information
Do you also want to help fund scholarships for talented students like Chau? Support one or more participants of the Erasmus Charity Run via this link.