Dr. Do Wan Khan guiding students to do research in the lab – Photo: PK
Find research equipment funding to make dreams come true
Dr. Do Van Khan is currently a potential research group leader at the University of Fennica. In addition to teaching biology, genetics and molecular biology to medical students, he has also applied research in developing early diagnosis tools for the Vietnamese people.
This 34-year-old lecturer was once chosen as one of America’s Top 30 Young Scientists in Neuroscience.
After receiving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Award in 2020, Do Van Khanh was invited by NIH to work and receive research support from the institute’s development fund.
But he decided to return to Vietnam to teach and conduct research with the hope of establishing his own research group on lipidomics and its applications in Vietnam.
However, the implementation of research directions of young female doctors in Vietnam faces many difficulties due to the limitations of facilities, laboratory machinery and equipment. Therefore, he has actively applied for sponsorship programs at home and abroad.
“While studying and researching in the US, I came across the Seeding Labs program. This program aims to remove barriers to research and teaching by providing laboratory equipment to universities in low- and middle-income countries in the US. ”
In October 2022, I tried to apply for a grant from Seeding Labs’ Instrumental Access Program,” he shared.
Women lecturers are sponsored for special research
According to Seeding Labs’ rules, to receive this grant, scientists must demonstrate that their research is exceptional and can support a need for scientific and technological development in the country. Then, each application will be reviewed and selected by a scientific panel selected by this organization.
Dr Van Khanh receives a package of experimental equipment sent from the US to Vietnam – Photo: PK
The application process consists of three steps: Step 1, Application Submission. The application form is submitted online in English. Applications are reviewed through a panel to ensure that the individual, institution/recipient is able to meet all program requirements and is prepared to make good use of what the Fund has to offer.
Stage 2, Interview and Competence Assessment. After reviewing applications, top scoring candidates will be invited for an interview to better describe their goals, existing infrastructure and expertise, and equipment requirements.
Step 3, Confirm and proceed to ship the device. After selecting the equipment and paying the grant program fee, the fund will complete the processes required for shipping (typically 3-6 months).
Sharing about the experience of successfully attracting funding projects from Seeding Labs, Dr. Van Khan said that candidates must have a good scientific and teaching background, clear development orientation, clearly defined intended use for each project, tools And must have a long-term commitment as the candidate must produce an annual report for the Seeding Labs grant fund.
“In the application form, apart from short, medium and long term research objectives should be presented concisely and commensurate with the potential of the candidate. The selected persons are excellent candidates in research, science.
In the interview round, Seeding Labs gives preference to candidates with fluent English as they will be required to participate in networking activities later. After submitting the application, I was invited to Boston, USA to discuss this sponsorship package directly”, he said.
Machinery and equipment over 1.5 tonnes
More than 1.5 tons of machinery and equipment are packed in containers and sent to Vietnam. After more than two months, the equipment has now arrived in Dr. Do Van Khan’s lab at the University of Fennica. These instruments include the following groups: analytical instruments, genes and proteins, sample preparation and manipulation, basic laboratory equipment, equipment with functions for temperature control, cell growth and processing, and materials. Consumables…
“The current funding package I received includes the above groups, but most of them are new machines, with an estimated value of more than $500,000 (about over 11 billion VND). With these modern equipment, we will use for research, the topic and support other research groups at the university,” she said.
Established in 2008, to date, Seeding Labs has provided over 134 equipment packages to universities in developing countries around the world.
Dr. Melissa P. Wu (CEO of Seeding Labs) said that during the application selection process, she and the committee members were impressed by Dr. Van Khan’s research accomplishments. “We appreciate and find it interesting Dr. Van Khanh’s determination to return to Vietnam by temporarily setting aside research opportunities in the US,” Ms. Wu said.
Doctor Viet tops among talented young scientists
(TagstoTranslate) female lecturer
