First Vietnamese honored with UK award for women in technology

Nguyen Thuy Ba Linh, 44, from the University College London (UCL), was selected from thousands of nominations and is the only Vietnamese recipient among the 100 winners of the 2024 TechWomen100 awards.

This award celebrates emerging female leaders in technology who have made significant achievements and positive community impacts in the U.K.

Linh graduated with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Science in Ho Chi Minh City in 2003. She later earned a Ph.D. in regenerative medicine from Soonchunhyang University in South Korea. Following her doctorate, she joined the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Oxford University as a postdoctoral researcher, focusing on biomedical engineering and tissue regeneration.

Alongside her colleagues, Linh developed large-scale polycaprolactone particles for harvesting stem cells, a groundbreaking research achievement that was patented and successfully commercialized. For this work, she received Oxford’s Outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher Award in 2017.

Nguyen Thuy Ba Linh. Photo courtesy of Linh

Since 2019, Linh has been a lecturer in Biomaterials at UCL’s Eastman Dental Institute, where her research centers on biomaterials for tissue regeneration, drug delivery systems, and thermoresponsive polymers for stem cell expansion and harvesting. She has led key projects in materials technology for bone and skin regeneration.

To date, Linh has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, contributed two book chapters, and holds two patents. She also serves as an editor and reviewer for prominent journals such as the Journal of Biomaterials Applications, and teaches courses on nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, and clinical science. Between 2021 and 2023, she was an advisor and community leader, chairing the Vietnam Young Academy and mentoring young scientists through the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the U.K. and Ireland.

In addition to her academic work, Linh is the founder and CEO of SmileScaff, a company specializing in developing advanced material technologies to accelerate wound healing and tissue regeneration. SmileScaff integrates innovative biomaterials with practical medical applications, aiming to revolutionize tissue engineering.

Speaking to VnExpress from the U.K., Linh expressed her pride in receiving the award, calling it a testament to women in science and technology who have overcome challenges and barriers to become role models, particularly for those from developing countries.

"I hope to inspire the next generation of tech talent in Vietnam and globally, showing that limits can be surpassed, and achievements reached through passion and dedication," she said.

Linh plans to continue her research in biotechnology and tissue engineering, bringing innovative solutions to practical use. She hopes to collaborate with leading researchers, organizations, and technology companies, and to inspire future scientists to advance in this field. She also aims to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM, encouraging more young people to pursue careers in technology and science.

Founded in 2017, the TechWomen100 awards were the first to honor women working in technology in the U.K. The awards also recognize senior advocates, pioneering companies, and networks that support the career development of women in technology.

In its third edition, the 2024 TechWomen100 awards received over 1,150 applications, with winners chosen through a rigorous evaluation and voting process. The award ceremony will be held on Nov. 21 at the Queen Elizabeth II Center in London.