The Institute of Aquaculture marked International Women’s Day this year with a focused seminar on women working in aquaculture across Southeast Asia. The event, organised by the EDI committee in collaboration with the AQUASOS project, brought together three international speakers whose work spans disease biology, environmental change, and aquaculture systems.
Opening the session, Dr Michael McGowan explained that the aim this year was to place specific emphasis on “the contributions of women… in Southeast Asia,” describing it as “a consistently growing area… so it’s a very important area to focus on.” The format was straightforward: short presentations delivered back-to-back, followed by a Q&A.
The first speaker, Professor Ha Thi Thu Nguyen (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), presented her research journey from environmental geology into aquaculture-related work. She described moving from geochemical and environmental assessment into remote sensing and satellite monitoring, with a focus on water quality:
“My research interest focus on… remote sensing for monitoring the environmental change, particularly the water quality monitoring.”
She also explained how her work entered aquaculture through applied projects:
“My journey into agriculture-related research start… [when] I participate… in the project to develop the aquaculture master plans… my role focus mainly on environmental assessment… water quality [and] sediment characteristics.”
The second speaker, Professor Sasimanas Unajak, outlined her transition from molecular biology into aquaculture disease research. She described early work on shrimp viral disease before shifting towards bacterial pathogens:
“My research interest is changing from virus to… bacterial disease… acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease.”
She emphasised the severity of the disease:
“This… can cause up to 100% loss during 20 to 30 days after infection… it’s very serious.”
Her work included identifying the causative bacteria and developing diagnostic tools.
The final speaker, Professor Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, focused on decision-making in research careers:
“What is more challenging is when you reach a junction… should you turn left or… right?”
Her advice was direct:
“Never look back, move forward… with braveness and willingness to take risks.”
She also described environmental change in simple terms:
“Our ocean is changing… getting hotter… more sour… and… breathless.”
In the discussion, Ha Nguyen reinforced the importance of collaboration:
“You cannot go to the field work just only one… we have to work together.”
She also highlighted the value of networks:
“If you have strong connection… national and international… you maybe can get the opportunity… for the research.”
The seminar concluded with questions from students and informal discussion and refreshments.
The sessions reinforced three grounded insights:
- Aquaculture research is collaborative by necessity
- Networks shape access to opportunity
- Team environment influences how effectively research is carried out
Here is the link to the recording: