His Oxford Years: Vietnamese Biotech Prodigy Wins $336K PhD Scholarship

A Journey from a Small Farming Community to Oxford

Dao Trong Nhan, a 29-year-old Vietnamese researcher, has achieved an impressive milestone by securing three fully funded PhD scholarships. Two of these awards came from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, while the third was from the Australian Government's Research Training Program at the University of Western Australia (UWA). Each of the Oxford scholarships is valued at £250,000 (approximately US$336,400), and they are for programs in Life Sciences, Environmental Science, and Biology.

Oxford, ranked fourth among the best universities globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2026, offers a prestigious academic environment that Nhan is now set to join. His journey to this point has been marked by dedication, perseverance, and a clear vision for his future in science.

From Academic Struggles to Academic Excellence

Nhan’s academic path was not without its challenges. As an undergraduate student at the University of Science, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, he initially struggled with his studies. His first two years were unfocused, and his grades reflected this lack of direction. However, witnessing his classmates win international scholarships inspired him to work harder. He also received encouragement from his English teacher, who often shared stories about successful international students, which further motivated him.

His breakthrough came when he specialized in genetics, focusing on a rice gene family that helps plants adapt to harsh environmental conditions. Using real-time PCR, he assessed the activity of these genes under stressors such as salinity and flooding. His thesis, which examined genes involved in water transport and solute movement in rice, earned a high score of 9.4/10.

Building Experience and Achieving Recognition

After graduating in 2019, Nhan took a break from applying for government scholarships, feeling that his GPA of 2.89/4 and limited research experience made him less competitive. Instead, he gained valuable experience working at the Institute of Cereal and Food Crops under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and later at the Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).

At VAST, Nhan joined a project using gene-editing tools to enhance rice's salt tolerance. His contributions led to co-authoring two papers published in Q1 plant biotechnology journals, "Planta" and "Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture."

In 2022, with three years of experience and an IELTS score of 7.5, Nhan won the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) for his master’s at UWA. During his studies, he co-authored a paper on RNA editing in plants, published in the Q1 journal "The Plant Journal."

Pursuing Dreams at Oxford

Despite being awarded a fully funded Australian PhD scholarship, Nhan remained focused on his dream of studying at a top U.K. university. He applied to two PhD programs at Oxford, submitting an essay and research proposal. For the Biology program, he outlined his goal of becoming an expert in biotechnology to develop crop varieties resilient to climate change by 2050.

Growing up in a rural district of Hai Duong Province, now part of Hai Phong City, Nhan witnessed the devastating impact of annual floods and natural disasters on agriculture. This experience fueled his desire to help farmers mitigate such losses through scientific innovation.

Recognition and Future Plans

Nhan's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Do Tien Phat, Head of the Plant Cell Technology Department at VAST, praised Nhan's language skills, proactivity, creativity, professionalism, and integrity in research. “This is a well-deserved achievement, reflecting Nhan's exceptional efforts, perseverance, and clear strategy,” he said.

In September, Nhan will begin his four-year PhD at Oxford. After graduation, he plans to teach, mentor students, and continue his research career. His journey from a small farming community to one of the world’s top universities is a testament to his determination and passion for science.