For the first time in history, the University of Danang has an alumna who “double scored” full scholarships for both Master’s and Doctoral programs at the prestigious Oxbridge universities.
The journey to the world of the Biomedical Science student
Huỳnh Ngọc Minh Thi is surely a familiar face to generations of VNUK students. Not only is she charming, but she is also exceptionally talented, boasting an impressive record and a smooth journey into the global arena with top-tier scholarships that earn admiration from many.
At just 23 years old, Minh Thi’s talent is undeniable. She has achieved an outstanding academic record, truly fitting the title of a “model student”:
Graduated with distinction in Biomedical Science at VNUK (Class 17);
Interned at Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU);
Full scholarship for a Master’s program at the University of Cambridge, majoring in Genomic Science at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (home to the first human genome sequencing in the world);
Full scholarship for a Doctoral program at the University of Oxford, majoring in Clinical Medicine.
Image 1. Huỳnh Ngọc Minh Thi taking a commemorative photo at Niagara Falls (located on the border of the U.S. and Canada)
A girl with a special connection to the UK
From the age of 17 until now, this girl from Da Nang has, one way or another, been closely linked to the United Kingdom. To summarize her journey over the past six years, Minh Thi believes the most fitting motto is: “Take the risk or lose the chance!”
Falling in love with Biomedical Science at VNUK
Minh Thi’s journey with VNUK began with a leaflet she found in a desk drawer. She was immediately impressed by the Biomedical Science program taught 100% in English. Minh Thi shared:
“Recognizing my strengths in languages and my big dream of studying abroad, I boldly ‘snuck’ away from my parents to apply to the school. I say ‘snuck’ because I submitted the application and interviewed on my own without them knowing. I only informed them after receiving the Merit Scholarship at VNUK. At first, my parents were upset because they wanted me to follow a medical path. This was my first big life decision, knowing I would have to handle everything myself if I didn’t follow their wishes. But this journey proved to them that taking this first risk in my life was truly worthwhile.”
Interning at OUCRU – Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
During the internship application at OUCRU, which only offered 4 slots, Minh Thi was aware of the impressive profiles of other candidates. Nevertheless, she decided to take the risk, knowing that if she didn’t get the internship, she would have to spend more time finding another research unit, potentially delaying her graduation.
“Something kept pushing me to grab the opportunity when it came. That year, I became the lab’s fifth intern. Initially, I wanted to join the wet lab because the experiments looked cool, but I was assigned to the dry lab and have stayed there since. I think everything in life is about fate.”
Going global with a full Master’s scholarship at Cambridge
Minh Thi realized her study abroad dream in style with a full scholarship for a Master’s program at the University of Cambridge, working at the Wellcome Sanger Institute—the first institute in the world to sequence the human genome.
Her research focuses on Genomic Science, studying bacterial genomes, a subfield of Biomedical Science:
“My daily work involves analyzing bacterial genomes based on sequencing results to identify and report antibiotic resistance genes used in treating infectious diseases. Since this is bioinformatics, I mainly work with a computer.”
“Cambridge feels like a dream come true.” She expressed deep gratitude to Ms. Hoa, head of the Zoonoses team at OUCRU, who encouraged her to think big and aim high. This trust gave her the confidence to apply and become a Master’s student at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Extending academic achievements with a full PhD scholarship at Oxford
After completing her Master’s, Minh Thi considered her next steps.
“Having studied at Cambridge, I wanted a university of comparable quality. I applied to four schools: Oxford, Cambridge, Cornell, and Harvard, and was fortunate to be admitted to the PhD program in Clinical Medicine at Oxford.”
Oxford University is ranked 4th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).
“A unique aspect of my academic journey is my connection to the UK—from VNUK, the Vietnam–UK linked university, to Cambridge and now Oxford. Although I also wanted to experience life in the U.S., my bond with the UK led me to continue at Oxford. Another thing I’ve noticed is that the risks I’ve taken often turned out to be the right choices. So, ‘Take the risk or lose the chance!’ has become my life motto, reminding me to always dare and dream big.”
Image 2. Minh Thi taking a commemorative photo at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge
VNUK – Where Big Dreams Are Nurtured
“The greatest thing VNUK has given me is opportunity. If back then Mr. Hung from the Science & Technology Department hadn’t contacted OUCRU to send interns, I wouldn’t have been able to start my journey pursuing Biomedical Science at such leading research units.”
Minh Thi also shared that VNUK is a place where students can freely explore and share ideas with experienced mentors. The professors, many of whom have studied abroad, are very dedicated and can guide students along the pathways they wish to follow. With a low student-to-teacher ratio and small class sizes, lecturers can give detailed guidance and care. “I feel that VNUK is a great environment for growth, with no barriers between teachers and students, and I have the freedom to pursue what I want.”
Biomedical Science – a field for the patient, passionate, and lifelong learners
For Minh Thi, Biomedical Science is a captivating field that stimulates curiosity and creativity. “Perhaps because of my passion, I see this field differently. When examining a problem in Biomedical Science, I want to understand how it works, why it happens, and find scientific explanations for it.”
Becoming a true “warrior” contributing to the community
Minh Thi shared that during her time at OUCRU, she had many opportunities to work with clinical cases, reinforcing her belief in the mission she follows: “I feel I can help patients indirectly by researching and reporting antibiotic resistance in bacteria, providing guidance to doctors on effective antibiotic use.”
She emphasized that Biomedical Science is critically important to the community. One example she gave is the challenge of antibiotic resistance in medicine. Without scientific reports on this topic, the use of antibiotics in clinics and livestock would be uncontrolled, worsening resistance. Severe infections requiring last-resort antibiotics could have significant consequences. Biomedical Science plays a leading role in preventing future outbreaks and minimizing the impact of diseases.
Biomedical Science – a field that demands resilience
Throughout her journey, Minh Thi learned that patience, passion, and a strong willingness to learn are crucial for sustaining a career in Biomedical Science. “There will be projects and experiments conducted day after day without results. But a great thing is that everyone involved in each project is dedicated and patient. They don’t hand-hold you but provide hints so you can find answers on your own.”
She also advises students in Biomedical Science to invest in English proficiency: “Most international journals, data, and new discoveries are written in English. Language skills are a major advantage for pursuing this field.”
A gateway for the curious and adventurous
Biomedical Science is a discipline that allows learners to explore and innovate in a vast knowledge landscape, appealing to those with a curiosity-driven mindset like Minh Thi: “I study to satisfy my own curiosity. I am naturally introverted, but research has made me more open. It may sound strange, but during research, I can discuss with professors and fellow researchers who share the same curiosity and exploratory spirit. Even when not discussing research, we talk about ‘random stuff’ in life. Lab members often share books, articles, and research directions. My study abroad experience was fortunate to have the support of friends and peers.”
Minh Thi’s future plans
Throughout her 6-year pursuit of Biomedical Science, Minh Thi has remained immersed in academia and research. She is also curious about the differences between lab work and professional life. Despite observing senior colleagues, she wants to gain personal experience: “After completing my PhD, I hope to do postdoctoral research at various labs worldwide to gain work experience and learn more about different cultures and lifestyles.”
She also shyly shared: “I feel Vietnam is a great environment to develop a career in Biomedical Science. In Da Nang, there is no specialized research lab focusing on genetics and antibiotic resistance like the one I am pursuing. No one can tax your dreams, so I will dream big—maybe one day I could open a small lab in my hometown or pursue teaching to inspire the next generation in research and community contribution.”
Image 3. Minh Thi taking a commemorative photo at King’s College Chapel, University of Cambridge
Congratulations to Huỳnh Ngọc Minh Thi on her impressive journey in securing full scholarships from prestigious universities. We hope Minh Thi continues to achieve great success in her academic path, swiftly completes her PhD program, and continues her courageous and impactful scientific research.
