Ho Bao Tran, a student from the Class of 2025 majoring in Integrated Science at Fulbright University Vietnam, has been awarded the highly competitive Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship from the Japanese government. Tran will pursue a Master’s degree in Physiology at Nagoya University, a top-tier institution ranked among the leading eight universities in Japan.
The MEXT Scholarship is one of the most sought-after programs, with fewer than ten slots typically granted to Vietnamese applicants each year. Candidates undergo a rigorous selection process by Japanese universities based on their research aptitude, academic presentation skills, and potential for significant contributions to their respective fields of study.
Prior to enrolling at Fulbright, Tran earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science in Australia. Upon returning to Vietnam, Tran sought an academic environment that would nurture her passion for research. At Fulbright, she found a mentor in Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Dung, who profoundly influenced her academic journey.
Tran, along with Dr. Hong Dung, who helped her Tran gain a clearer understanding of the crucial role of science in medicine: while doctors directly treat patients, scientists are the ones who discover the methods to save lives.
Dr. Hong Dung’s lectures, the learning process, and her practical insights helped Tran gain a clearer understanding of the crucial role of science in medicine: while doctors directly treat patients, scientists are the ones who discover the methods to save lives. With this refined career direction, Tran resolved to pursue a path in scientific research, focusing specifically on physiology.
During her four years at Fulbright, Tran benefited from opportunities and introductions from faculty members that led to internships in various laboratories. She received guidance and explored diverse research topics. In the summer of 2024, Tran distinguished herself by being selected as one of only eight students from over 1000 international applicants for an internship program at the National Institute of Genetics in Japan. During her six-week stay, Tran not only worked in an intensive research environment but also had the invaluable experience of presenting her work to leading professors, honing her research skills and critical thinking abilities.
Tran (second from the left) with other international students participating in the internship program at the National Institute of Genetics.
These internship experiences significantly contributed to Tran’s undergraduate thesis at Fulbright, which integrated both wet-lab (hands-on laboratory experiments) and dry-lab (computer-based data analysis and modeling) methodologies. This combination of practical skills and theoretical analysis enabled Tran to develop her abilities in prediction and hypothesis testing – essential elements in modern scientific research.
We extend our best wishes to Bao Tran for continued success and significant advancements in her academic research journey in Japan!
