(VOVworld) - Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy of the Institute for Transport Science and Technology is one of the two winners of the 2013 Kovalevskaia Prize. The prestigious prize, named after Russian female mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaia, is awarded to female academics with excellent achievements in sciences or arts and humanities.

Thuy dreamed of becoming a scientist since she was in secondary school. She studied Petro-chemistry at the Hanoi University of Technology and began working at the Institute for Transport Science and Technology after graduation. She has been working there for more than 30 years. Thuy said: “It’s difficult for women to be involved in the sciences. We’ve had to work in the lab and go on field trips, yet we’ve fulfilled our tasks.”

Thuy has carried out 29 scientific projects of her own and participated in 40 others, 10 of which have had practical application. She has helped to produce environment-friendly products to ensure sustainable development for the transport sector. Thuy has also been teaching at the Hanoi University of Technology. Ha Thi Ha is working toward a doctoral degree under Thuy’s tutorship: “Thuy is a hardworking and dynamic woman. She is always willing to help others. Thuy has been helping me a lot with my research project.”

Thuy said her younger colleagues’ passion and enthusiasm motivate her a lot. Dao Bich Tue is a colleague: “I’ve being working with Thuy since 1996. She has helped me with both social and professional knowledge. She’s like a sister and teacher to me.”

Although Thuy is retired she remains a senior researcher at the Institute for Transport Science and Technology. She said: “There remains much to do with the transport sector. I plan to research nano technology to produce new materials. My dream is to train the younger generations in scientific research.”