The award saw Duong given EUR20,000 due to her pioneering work on the structure and function of two RNA-protein complexes which are essential for all higher organisms; spliceosome and telomerase.

The Wiley Analytical Science journal site quoted statements made by judges of the awards as saying that her work provided fundamental insights into the structure and function of these complexes. The research will have a lasting impact on the understanding of RNA processing and genome stability moving forward.

First established in 1995, the Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators honours outstanding works in biomedical research and provides support for young scientists in Europe up to the age of 35. The award is presented in partnership with the scientific journal Nature.

Born in 1987 in the central province of Quang Ngai, Duong received a full scholarship to enter a high school programme at Wellington Girls' School in New Zealand after completing the ninth grade. After that, she continued to receive a full scholarship for the undergraduate programme and Master scholarships to study chemistry at the Australian National University.

After completing her master's degree, she was granted a PhD scholarship at Trinity College, eventually graduating with a doctorate at the age of 26 and deciding to work at Cambridge University.

Source: VOV