As if by chance, I got to know about Inserm ERL U1326 “RNAnoTher” – the research group of Palma Rocchi by the introduction from a friend who had studied and worked in France. I was gradually attracted by the leading and potential research orientations of the lab. However, I was first concerned because my previous research expertise did not include specialized cell biology like what Palma's lab was doing. After considerable deliberation, I decided to contact the lab, expressing my desire to study and research in the lab as a PhD student and I want to be allowed to step out of my comfort zone and explore more techniques and knowledge in a new research field. It was great that the lab accepted my limitations and promised to support me. For me, at that time, this was a huge motivation that helped me to keep pursuing my studies.

Then, I got a scholarship from the Vietnamese Government scholarship and took my first step in France in October 2023 after a long flight of thousands of kilometres. The Inserm ERL U1326 RNAnoTher lab is located on the campus of the Faculty de Pharmacy, an extremely convenient location for commuting. As expected, my lab is equipped with state-of-the-art research equipment, and my labmates are friendly and approachable.

My research project is regarding developing novel compounds with strong anti-cancer efficacy for prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. While the majority of patients with advanced prostate cancer initially respond well to first-line therapy, the disease ultimately progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which is currently incurable. In this project, we aim to develop new compounds for the theranostic treatment of prostate cancer to combat it, as well as explore the action mechanism of the new compound. Before leaving Vietnam, I had the opportunity to visit Tan Trieu K Hospital in Vietnam to provide some clothes and blankets to cancer patients. I was devastated when I saw the suffering and fear in the patients' families' expressions, as well as the agony and tiredness of the patient’s following treatment. Since then, I have determined that my research aim is to unravel the mysteries of cancer, particularly to develop new medicines for cancer treatment strategies to enhance cancer patients' life quality and save more lives.