# Meet ESOP-scholar Thanh Truc Bui
**Source**: https://bsse.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-bsse-news/2025/11/meet-esop-scholar-thanh-truc-bui.html
**Parent**: https://bsse.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-bsse-news.html?AUTHOR=Q2Fyb2xpbiBBcm5kdCBGb3BwYQ&path=L2NvbnRlbnQvc3BlY2lhbGludGVyZXN0L2Jzc2UvZGVwYXJ0bWVudC9lbi9uZXdzLWFuZC1ldmVudHMvamNyOmNvbnRlbnQvcGFyL25ld3NmZWVkXzQzMTg
This year, D-BSSE has the pleasure of having two excellent scholars that were chosen from over thousand applications for the ETH Zurich’s Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP). Thanh Truc Bui, Bioinformatician from Vietnam studying Computational Biology | Bioinformatics at D-BSSE, is one of the 2025 excellent scholars. An interview.
(Hannes Heinzer Fotografie)
**What does the ESOP scholarship mean to you?**
I would say it’s a life-changing opportunity. Growing up in Vietnam with a non-academic background, the idea of studying in Europe seemed almost impossible. But I was passionate about going abroad to broaden my mind and was fascinated by the combination of biology and computer science. So, I learned German and found a way to self-finance my Bachelor's in Bioinformatics at TU Munich. Receiving the ESOP scholarship was an incredible moment. It means that I can now focus on my studies at an excellent university and pursue my goals without financial pressure.
> “Be authentic: Don't try to guess what the committee wants to hear. Instead, focus on your genuine motivations. Really ask yourself, "What do I hope to achieve with this Master's programme?" and let that true passion shine through in your application.”
>
> Thanh Truc Bui, 2025 ESOP scholar at D-BSSE
**The selection process for this scholarship is very competitive. What is your advice to fellows who aim to apply in the future?**
My biggest piece of advice would be to be authentic. Don't try to guess what the committee wants to hear. Instead, focus on your genuine motivations. Really ask yourself, "What do I hope to achieve with this Master's programme?" and let that true passion shine through in your application.
**You do your Master’s in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the\
D-BSSE. What did you know about D-BSSE before you came here, and what was yourmotivation to come to ETH Zurich?**
My primary motivation was ETH Zurich's incredible reputation. I knew it was one of the best places in the world for research, especially in computational biology. But what really convinced me was my short visit to Zurich last year. I just walked through the main ETH building, and I fell in love with the atmosphere, it felt so driven and inspiring. So, even though I didn't know the D-BSSE department itself in great detail, I knew this was the right programme at the right university. I also thought it was great that the programme is joint with the University of Zurich and the University of Basel. That seemed like a unique opportunity to learn from different faculties and research groups.
**What were your first impressions…?**
I have most of my lectures in Zurich this semester, but I've visited the D-BSSE building in Basel a few times. My first impression was how modern the facilities are. I also love the collaborative atmosphere, being located so close to the Biozentrum of Uni Basel. I'm definitely looking forward to more courses there.
**Which research will you pursue at D-BSSE?**
What I find truly fascinating is trying to understand the link between our genes and our health. It's like a massive, complex puzzle. I'm interested in those questions, such as: Why does one person get a disease while another remains healthy? Or why does the same medicine work perfectly for one person but do nothing for another? That’s what pulls me towards personalised medicine. The idea that we could use computational models to analyse a patient's unique genetic profile and predict their health risks, or even better, figure out the best way to treat them, is really powerful and meaningful to me.
**Where do you want to be in 5-years' time?**
In five years, I hope to be actively contributing to the field. I plan to gain practical industry experience for a few years after my Master's, and then I am strongly considering a doctorate to deepen my research skills. Looking a bit further ahead, a personal goal of mine would be to one day return to Vietnam and contribute to the growing scientific community there.
**What are your hobbies, what do you do in your free time?**
When I'm not studying, I enjoy cooking and sharing meals with friends. I also like playing music: I play the bamboo flute and some guitar. And whenever I get the chance, I want to get out and explore new places, which is especially great here in Switzerland!
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**Once again: Big congrats, Thanh Truc, and all the very best to you and your studies!**
Find information on the [ESOP scholarship](https://ethz.ch/students/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html), a [external page project mandated to the ETH Foundation](https://ethz-foundation.ch/en/projects/topics/talents/esop/); meet [external page this year's ESOP scholars](https://ethz-foundation.ch/excellence-scholars/).
Learn about the [Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Master's programme](https://ethz.ch/content/specialinterest/study-programme-websites/mas-comp-biology-bioinformatics/en).