| Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City | VIETNAM

Dr. Pham Thi Thu Ha is an accomplished Agricultural Scientist specializing in Genetics and Plant Breeding, with extensive expertise in molecular breeding, crop genetics, plant biotechnology, and sustainable agricultural systems. Her research integrates molecular biology, genomics, agronomy, and plant physiology to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties, particularly rice.

She has held several prestigious research and leadership positions, including:

  • Visiting Researcher, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Australia (2022–2024).
  • Vice Director, Genomic Research Institute and Seed Center, Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam (2018–2022).
  • Research Assistant, Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, Vietnam (2006–2018).

Dr. Ha is highly skilled in DNA/RNA/protein extraction, molecular marker technologies, microorganism culture, HPLC, GC/MS, statistical analysis, project management, and interdisciplinary scientific collaboration. She has also established strong partnerships with national and international research institutions to advance agricultural innovation.

Research Expertise & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Ha's research focuses on:

  • Plant genetics and molecular breeding
  • Rice improvement for drought, salinity, heat, and flood tolerance
  • Crop improvement using molecular markers
  • Plant biotechnology and genomics
  • Disease resistance breeding
  • Sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient crops
  • Plant biochemistry and metabolomics
  • Agronomic management for enhanced crop productivity

She has made significant contributions to improving rice varieties adapted to climate change, benefiting food security and sustainable agriculture.

Publications & Scholarly Achievements

Dr. Ha has established an impressive international research profile through:

  • 52 International Journal Publications
  • 31 National Publications (Vietnam)
  • 2 International Book Chapters
  • 26 Conference Publications
  • 17 Major National and International Research Projects

Her publications cover molecular breeding, crop genetics, disease resistance, speed breeding, nanotechnology in agriculture, and sustainable crop production.

Research Projects & Innovation

Dr. Ha has actively contributed to numerous government-funded and international collaborative projects involving:

  • Rice breeding for drought, heat, flood, and salinity tolerance
  • QTL mapping for heat tolerance
  • Marker-assisted selection
  • Brown planthopper resistance
  • Wild rice genetic resource utilization
  • Climate-resilient rice breeding
  • Rice quality improvement for export
  • Crop adaptation to climate change

These projects have significantly advanced rice breeding strategies across Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region.

Awards & Professional Recognition

Dr. Ha has received numerous prestigious honors, including:

  • Prime Minister Award (Vietnam) for Outstanding Scientific Research (2014 & 2020)
  • Asian Scientist Top 100 (Ranked 87th, 2020)
  • L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science National Fellowship (Top 3 Award, Vietnam, 2019)
  • Ministry of Agriculture Award for Scientific Research
  • Ministry of Education and Training Certificate for mentoring award-winning student research
  • Can Tho City Technical Innovation Awards
  • Japanese Government (MEXT) Ph.D. Scholarship
  • Hiroshima University Excellence Scholarship
  • Multiple Emulation Soldier Awards recognizing sustained scientific excellence

These distinctions highlight her outstanding leadership, innovation, and contributions to agricultural research.

Leadership & Professional Service

As Vice Director of a genomic research institute, Dr. Ha has demonstrated exceptional leadership in:

  • Scientific research management
  • International research collaborations
  • Graduate student mentoring
  • Research proposal development
  • Technology transfer in agriculture
  • Capacity building in plant genomics and breeding

She is also an active contributor to the global scientific community through publications, collaborative research, and academic networking.

Impact on Agricultural Science

Dr. Ha's work has significantly contributed to:

  • Climate-smart agriculture
  • Food security through resilient rice varieties
  • Molecular breeding technologies
  • Sustainable crop production
  • Agricultural biotechnology
  • International scientific collaboration
  • Capacity building in plant genetics and genomics

Her research has provided practical solutions for addressing climate change challenges affecting agriculture in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award

Dr. Pham Thi Thu Ha is highly eligible for the Women Researcher Award under the Scientific Laurels.

She fulfills the key criteria for this recognition through:

  • Outstanding international contributions to agricultural science and plant genetics.
  • More than 80 research publications, including international journals, national journals, books, and conference proceedings.
  • Leadership roles in renowned research institutions in Vietnam and Australia.
  • Active participation in 17 major national and international research projects.
  • Significant scientific innovations in rice genetics, molecular breeding, and climate-resilient agriculture.
  • Prestigious recognitions including the Prime Minister Award, Asian Scientist Top 100, and the L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship.
  • Strong commitment to mentoring young researchers and promoting scientific excellence among women in STEM.
  • Sustained impact on global agricultural research, food security, and sustainable crop improvement.

Dr. Pham Thi Thu Ha is an internationally recognized agricultural scientist whose distinguished research achievements, leadership, innovation in plant breeding, and exceptional contributions to sustainable agriculture make her an excellent and highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award in the Scientific Laurels.