AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Thi Giáng Tuyết Phạm (Snow) – finding better solutions for chronic wound care with a multifunctional hydrogel

In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize…

Award winner: Thi Giang Tuyet Pham (Snow)

Institution: Flinders University (sponsored by MBCRC)

Project: A Wound Healing Hydrogel Based on Plasma-Assisted Microalgae Extract

Award: Marine Bioproducts CRC CureCell Award for Marine Medical Biotech, 2025

Firstly congratulations on your award, Tuyet! How did it feel when you were told?

I was so happy and excited. It’s so difficult with the cost of living now. Scholarships and awards can be difficult to secure, especially for international students, so this recognition really means a lot. It gives me confidence that my research ideas are valuable and that my PhD is on the right track.

How would you explain your research to someone outside your field?

I’m developing a faster, safer way to work with microscopic materials — specifically microalgae-derived bioactive compounds — using new laboratory techniques. I’m applying this method to create a multifunctional hydrogel, which is suitable for treating a variety of chronic wound infections. It includes Spirulina extract, which helps to resolve inflammation and clear infection.

I hope this work can be applied more broadly to create new materials that benefit various industries while being environmentally sustainable.

How is your project going?

It’s going very well! I’m in the second year of my PhD and have already submitted a paper to a journal. My project is half-way through, and I’ve received great feedback on how to strengthen and expand it.

How will you use the $10,000 prize?

I plan to use the funds for my research — to buy laboratory materials that aren’t covered by the university. It’s a big help, because sometimes there are experiments or ideas I would like to try but can’t afford to fund. This support allows me to continue developing my ideas independently.

What are your goals after finishing your PhD?

I’d like to become a lecturer. I want to share my research knowledge and inspire students, combining teaching with continued scientific exploration. I’m also interested in how we can commercialise research — taking discoveries from the lab and applying them in real industries. This helps with funding options, too. I’m particularly interested in staying with research that is related to marine bioproducts.

What have you learned through the PhD process so far?

I’ve learned how important collaboration and persistence are. My supervisors Professor Krasimir Vasilev and Dr Andrew Hayles have been very supportive, and I really appreciate their guidance, so I would like to acknowledge them here.

How did you hear about the AusHealth CureCell Awards?

I received an email from my university’s HDR support team about the opportunity and decided to apply. It was a great process, and I would encourage other students to apply next year.

Applications for the next AusHealth CureCell Awards will begin in June 2026.

For more information, visit CureCell.org