Nguyen Phuong Thao

Nguyen Phuong Thao is a professor and researcher with a focus on biotechnology, applicable in both agriculture and biomedicine. Her primary emphasis is on crop improvement, where she has over 25 years of experience. Her diverse background and extensive knowledge in scientific research and corporate communication have enabled her to serve as a senior advisor for various agricultural companies and organisations. Additionally, she has actively contributed to numerous publications, projects, and grants, receiving multiple honours and awards for her contribution to science and technology. Passionate about advancing sustainable agricultural practices, she is dedicated to driving innovation in crop development.

Through Growlab, she has developed an innovative approach to propagate high-quality seedlings via tissue culture. The startups' Multipuno product allows for a multiplication rate of up to 1:400 within 16 to 18 months, producing seedlings with the same genotype as the mother plant. With these seedlings, farmers can expect over 80 fruits per tree annually, with 70–100% of them being premium butter-like makapuno fruits after three to four years. This technology has proven effective not only for makapuno coconuts, but also for other coconut varieties, including those with high water and oil yields.