KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ha Thi Thanh Huong, Ph.D.
Head of Brain Health Lab
Chair, Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
School of Biomedical Engineering, International University
Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh city

Due to a family history of multiple members with mental disorders, Dr. Huong became intrigued in how the brain works, what molecules drive its functions and how they change when it gets dysregulated. During college, she studied molecular markers for devising diagnostic tests of cervical cancer. Following graduation, she further pursued this interest by working at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and investigating peripheral blood markers of HIV associated neurological disorders (HAND). At Stanford University, her PhD research was focused on understanding the molecular system related to autism and cellular and network deficits underlying epilepsy. She also created an efficient gene delivery technology and a universal brain tissue culture platform for research and drug discovery applications. Upon coming back to Vietnam and joining the International University as a lecturer, she established the Brain Health Lab and pursued several research projects to address mental health issues and cognitive-aging disorders in Vietnam. During the past few years, she had collaborated with experts and colleagues to build diagnosis platforms utilizing AI and MRI scans for automated detection of Alzheimer’s diseases, or using lab-on-chip assay to quantify stress-related hormones. For the future direction, Dr. Huong will continue to exploit the potential of these tools in neuro -science and -engineering, as well as develop novel products for clinical use.

PANELIST-COMMENTERS

Mr. Shunsuke SHINODA
Director
ROHTO-MENTHOLATUM VIETNAM, MYANMAR, CAMBODIA, NEPAL

Shunsuke has started its career from R&D to develop novel materials for cosmetics and functional foods. After several years of experience in the R & D field he had shifted its speciality to the marketing sector to launch varieties of products, also in charge of developing business in emerging countries at the same time. In 2012 he moved his station to Vietnam and established many types of business such as distribution, e-commerce, aesthetic dermatology clinic, eye hospital, restaurant, etc. in 7 countries over 10 years. Besides that, he has founded manufacturing companies for medicine and cosmetics in Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal. His motto is “Nothing ventured, Nothing gained” and seeks the next challenge always to create a bright future.

Mr. Yu Inaba
Head of Tropical Biomass Technology Research Institute
Euglena Co., Ltd.

Mr. Yu Inaba earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Information Studies from Keio University in Japan, and also graduated from the University of Tsukuba with a Masters in Biological Engineering. He started research of microalgae biofuel in 2013 in a Bachelor’s degree program and has published research papers related to altering specific functions in various types of microalgae through the use of biotechnology.

He is the current head of Tropical Biomass Technology Research Institute in Euglena Co., Ltd., Japan. Euglena Co., Ltd. is Japanese company to research, develop and sell the supplement, food, cosmetics, and biofuel from one of microalgae, Euglena gracilis. In the company, he is involved in projects related to microalgal biofuel production.

Mr. Truong Vo Huu Thien
CEO and Founder
GaraSTEM

Mr. Truong Vo Huu Thien has had a passion for computer technology from a young age. After graduating with his Bachelor degree in VietNam, he received a scholarship for a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology in Japan. After completing his Master degree, he returned to Vietnam and established GaraSTEM Educational Technology Joint Stock Company with his desire of bringing STEM education closer to Vietnamese students. With over 8 years of experience and expertise in the field of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology, he has made GaraSTEM becomes one of the top STEM education companies in Vietnam. Especially in 2022, the Computer Science 10 – Computer Science Specialty textbook, which he participated in the compilation, is officially putting into a teaching program in the high school in Vietnam.

Mr. Shundai Ogawa
Strategic planning, data, operations, & product management
Manabie Co., Ltd.,

Shundai started his fresh graduate career as a data analyst at Mercari, one of the largest e-commerce companies in Japan, where he was involved in experimental design and functional improvement of mobile applications. In early 2020, he moved to Vietnam to lead the localization, launch and service growth of OMO Learning Center and Live Tutoring which were main-stream in the Japan and China education market for Vietnamese high school students at Manabie.

From fall 2021 to summer 2022, he will start his own business in Vietnam, consulting for Japanese and Vietnamese companies. After that, he returned to Manabie and is in charge of product strategy and development direction for enterprise SaaS for educational institutions.

Mr. Kevin Vuong
Incubator Manager
UEH Institute of Innovation

Vương Khiết (Kevin Vuong) has more than 10 years of experience in Innovation management, Branding & Marketing Management and Business Development with a demonstrated history of working in many industries, such as FMCG and Education Management.

Having finished his Master’s Degree specializing in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from Leipzig University (Germany) in 2017 with a “sehr gut”- exceptionally outstanding achievement, Kevin has started his independent consulting projects to help SMEs and startups optimize operations and improve business performances through breakthrough strategic marketing and repositioning. 

Before being directly involved and supporting the startup ecosystem in Vietnam, Kevin spent nearly 4 years working as Head of Marketing at a fast-growing international startup in both Vietnam and South-East Asia. 

Currently, he is working as a Startup Incubator Manager at UEH Institute of Innovation to lead the incubation programs, innovation workshops, talks, training & presentations, and entrepreneurship education initiatives. Moreover, he is leading & delivering consultancy for incubated teams regarding business models, product design, customer & market exploration, and connecting with local and international mentors and investors.

Mr. Takashi Kambayashi
Founder and Representative Director
Eco-Pork Co., Ltd.

Graduated from University of Michigan MBA. After working at a strategic management consulting firm for 20 years, founded Eco-Pork to create a sustainable Pork Eco-system.

Dr. Linh Pham
Director of Becamex R&D Institute
Becamex IDC Corp.

Dr. Linh Pham is the Executive Assistant to Group Chairman of Becamex IDC Corp, and also the Director of Becamex R&D Institute. Being the leading industrial infrastructure developer in Vietnam, Becamex is the main driver behind Binh Duong’s strategic developments, including the Binh Duong Innovation Region. As a graduate of The National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA), Lyon, France with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Dr. Linh is in charge of R&D projects to develop the Binh Duong Smart City covering the aspects of technologies and innovation. She also embraces Becamex’s twofold approach to drive socio-economic development and create business opportunities, which played a significant part in transforming Binh Duong into Vietnam’s leading manufacturing hubs and FDI magnets over the past two decades

Dr. Xuan-Thanh Bui
Associate Professor
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)
Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM)

Dr. Xuan-Thanh BUI obtained the degree of engineer in chemical engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNU-HCM) and received his M.Eng and Ph.D. degrees in environmental engineering at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. Currently, he is an associate professor at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, HCMUT, VNU-HCM. He serves as chairman of Dept. of Water Science & Technology and Head of VNU-HCM Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology. His research focuses on membrane separation processes, water and waste treatment technologies, biological waste treatment, algae processes, green technologies and environmental materials. He has published ~ 220 SCIE journal papers, 5 books, 36 book chapters and 02 US patents. Additionally, he has played a role of project investigator of more than 60 international/national research projects in the field and organized three international conferences. Since 2017, he became a member of the scientific committee in the field of earth sciences and environment and in the field of applied Sciences of National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam.

Dr. Vo Thanh Hang
Lecturer
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)

Dr. Vo Thanh Hang is currently a lecturer/ researcher of Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources (FENR), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. She received her Ph.D. at Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. Her research interests include: Acid fermentation and methane production (CH4) in wastewater treatment process, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change for Water Resources Management, Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) and Waste Management. Besides this, Dr. Hang is the Chairwoman of Bach Khoa Green Innovation Club (BKGI), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, where she helps HCMUT’s students for research and start-up activities. She is also a mentor of Global Mentoring Program for V-Startups 2021 (part of the National Innovation Initiative to 2025-ISEV) which aims to create a favorable environment to promote and support the formation and development of enterprises. She coordinates the Engineering Project in Community Services (EPICS 4 & 5) program under BUILD-IT Project. She conducts the activities of Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.