Cell scientist to watch – Kelly Nguyen

Kelly Nguyen

Through your career you have been the recipient of several awards: the 2024 Biochemical Society Colworth Medal and the 2022 Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators, to name a couple. What does winning these awards mean to you?

Receiving these awards is an incredible honour and deeply meaningful on multiple levels. First, they represent recognition of years of hard work – not just mine because science is never a solo effort; these achievements are shared with everyone I've worked with, from my postdoc advisors and lab colleagues to my current team and collaborators. Also, at a personal level, these awards carry an even deeper significance. I come from rural Vietnam, where opportunities in science are almost non-existent. Seeing these achievements covered by media back home has been inspiring, not just for me, but for the community I grew up in. It's a chance to show young people in my hometown that their dreams are possible, even if they start from a small village school. Every time I return home, I remind kids that they can pursue science and make their mark on the world. These awards symbolise not just personal success, but a message of possibility and hope for others.

What inspired you to become a scientist?

My journey to becoming a scientist didn't start as a childhood dream. Growing up in rural Vietnam, where there was no university and no exposure to science as a career, I couldn't imagine pursuing it. However, I always loved maths, chemistry and physics. The turning point came when I had the opportunity to finish high school in New Zealand. There, I studied the subjects I enjoyed, and I was fortunate to have inspiring teachers who changed my path. My chemistry teacher, Brian Sturman, went above and beyond by giving me extra books, exercises and mentoring. My biology teacher, Christine Pallin, welcomed me into her small lab during breaks, where I spent hours discussing science with her. Their encouragement cultivated my desire to pursue science, leading me to apply for a science degree at university, and I've never looked back. My mother, a high school maths teacher and my earliest role model, also played a significant part in shaping my path. Growing up, her example as a woman excelling in maths showed me what was possible to achieve.

How did you choose what to do and where to go for your PhD?

I studied chemistry and maths at university. Although I enjoyed chemistry it didn't feel like something I could dedicate my career to. Then, in my third year, everything changed when I attended a lecture by Thomas Steitz, who spoke about his groundbreaking work on ribosome structures. This was just a year before he won the Nobel Prize, and his presentation – complete with animated ribosome models and music – was awe-inspiring. It introduced me to structural biology and the intersection of chemistry and biology. Motivated by Thomas Steitz's talk, I spent the next 2 years working in a structural biology lab, and when I was choosing a PhD programme, I applied to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge (UK), as it was renowned for structural biology. It was home to Venki Ramakrishnan, another Nobel laureate for ribosome research, and other leading scientists like Kiyoshi Nagai and David Neuhaus, who specialised in protein–RNA complexes. I was fortunate to be accepted, and that's where my journey truly began.

For your postdoctoral research, you moved to Prof. Kathleen Collins and Prof. Eva Nogales at the University of California, Berkeley (USA). What did you work on there?

That's where I began my work on telomerase, a beautiful and complex enzyme. Prof. Kathleen Collins is an expert in telomere biochemistry, whereas Prof. Eva Nogales specialises in structural biology, tackling challenging molecular complexes. After my PhD, I was looking for a project that matched the structural beauty and complexity of the spliceosome, and telomerase felt like a natural next step. During my interviews, the opportunity to work with both Kathy and Eva on telomerase immediately felt right. My postdoc was a true collaboration between their labs – I split my time equally between the two. Kathy's lab provided the biochemical groundwork, and Eva's lab brought advanced structural biology techniques, particularly cryo-EM, to the project.

Together, we achieved the first cryo-EM structure of human telomerase, which was a career highlight for me. The collaboration was deeply enriching, combining expertise from both labs and fostering a vibrant scientific environment. It remains one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling periods of my career.

Did you have any mentors that helped you in your career?

I've been incredibly fortunate to have supportive mentors at every stage of my career. During my undergraduate years, I had the chance to work with exceptional mentors. One of them was David Ollis (Australian National University), who had done his postdoc with Thomas Steitz, and he guided me in my early research experiences. Later, I worked with Gottfried Oting (Australian National University), an expert in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), who remains a mentor and friend to this day. He encouraged me to move to the LMB for my PhD, although he would have liked me to stay, which speaks to his generosity as a mentor. At the LMB, Kiyoshi Nagai, my PhD supervisor, had an immense influence on me as a scientist. He was not only incredibly warm and supportive but also deeply ambitious and held the highest standards for scientific work. His lab felt like a family, with him as a father figure. After I moved to the USA for my postdoc, he visited me twice, and I made sure to visit him as well. Sadly, he passed away suddenly a few years ago, but his legacy and the lessons he taught me continue to inspire me every day. Also, Jade Li, who taught me X-ray crystallography during my PhD; we had many meaningful career conversations, and she remains a close mentor and friend to this day. Kathleen Collins and Eva Nogales were incredible mentors and despite being on opposite coasts now, I still reach out for advice. Their support extended beyond science; for example, last year, when I had a baby, Eva happened to be in the UK and took the time to visit us.

These relationships have been invaluable, not only for advancing my scientific career but also for shaping me as a person.

In 2019, you started your own lab at the Medical Research Council (MRC), Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), Cambridge, UK. What challenges did you face when starting your own lab that you didn't expect?

The biggest and most unexpected challenge was, of course, the pandemic. It hit just 6 months after I started my lab, completely disrupting my plans. Initially, I had spent a lot of time thinking through how to set up the lab. However, by March, everything changed – we transitioned to working from home, with strict limits on the number of people allowed in the lab. One of the hardest aspects was supporting my team through this isolation. The lab was their main point of contact, but all communication had to happen over Zoom, which was far from ideal. One of my lab members had just relocated from the USA and didn't know anyone. Despite these challenges, my team showed incredible resilience and adaptability. Over time, we found ways to stay connected and maintain morale, and I think those tough early experiences brought us closer as a group. Additionally, the collaborative spirit of the LMB never wavered, even during the toughest times, and that helped us get back to normal more quickly. Overall, I feel very fortunate to have been in such a supportive environment that mitigated many of the challenges we faced during the pandemic.

What advice did you receive that was really important for your transition to a PI? And what advice would you give to someone seeking independence?

The most important advice I received came from a lunch with Tony Hyman (MPI, Dresden, Germany) when he visited Berkeley. During that meeting, he shared a piece he wrote on time management, emphasising that time is a precious resource. As your time becomes more limited, and you have more responsibilities, learning to manage it effectively is crucial. One of the key takeaways from that piece was: “When you think you're indispensable, it's time to take a holiday”. This resonates with me a lot, as it highlights the need to step back, recharge and maintain balance. I still revisit this advice regularly – it's a reminder to manage my time wisely and maintain productivity while also being a good colleague. In terms of advice for someone seeking independence, I believe that it's rare for anyone to feel fully ready to be independent. However, if you have ideas that excite you, and you think you could benefit from having a team to help bring those ideas to life, that's often a sign that it might be the right time to start thinking about independence. So, if you feel ready, even if only halfway, it could be time to start applying and seeking opportunities. Of course, you'll need the results to back up your application, but the key is not to be afraid to take that step. If you have the right ideas and the passion, go for it.

What are the main questions your lab is currently trying to answer?

Our lab focuses on two major themes within telomere biology. The first is telomere replication. Telomeres, which are the ends of linear chromosomes, present unique challenges for cells. We investigate two pathways for telomere replication. The first is the telomerase pathway. Most cancers (∼90%) rely on telomerase, a reverse transcriptase, to maintain telomere length. Much of our work focuses on understanding how telomerase operates. The second pathway is the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Around 10–15% of cancers use this lesser-known pathway. We are studying its mechanisms and players, as it could provide insights for potential therapeutic interventions. Additionally, we explore the evolutionary diversity of telomeres and telomerase across species. This contrasts with the high conservation seen in other molecular machines like ribosomes. This divergence offers fascinating insights into how different organisms solve similar biological problems. The second theme we focus on is telomere protection. Telomeres act like the plastic tips of shoelaces, protecting chromosome ends. We aim to understand how these protective structures are formed and organised. Currently, we are dissecting the molecular components and piecing together how telomere protection functions. Looking ahead, we hope to visualise telomeres directly in cells, using techniques like electron tomography. This will help us understand their physiological context and study how mutations affecting telomere maintenance contribute to cancer, aging, and other conditions.

Are you still doing experiments yourself?

Yes, although not as often as before. About a year ago, I went on maternity leave, and around the same time, the lab doubled in size from five to ten members. This naturally shifted my responsibilities, requiring more time mentoring and guiding the team, which limits the time I can dedicate to hands-on experiments. Before my leave, I spent ∼50% of my time in the lab, working on new projects and running pilot experiments. Currently, I spend roughly 20% of my time on experiments. I still train students on key techniques, such as preparing telomerase, and occasionally assist with technically challenging experiments. Just yesterday, for example, I was on the microscope helping with a procedure. Although I enjoy initiating new projects and performing exploratory experiments, limited time, particularly after returning from maternity leave, has made that less feasible for now. My focus has shifted more toward supporting the team and ensuring their experiments succeed.

Your publication record reveals that you are a very collaborative person. What is your advice on establishing good collaborations?

I've found a few key principles helpful for building successful collaborations. First and foremost, good communication is essential. Discussing expectations, goals and timelines ensures both sides are aligned on priorities. Clearly defining roles, responsibilities and shared objectives at the outset helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps the collaboration focused and productive. Scientific compatibility and personal rapport matter; although some collaborations are driven purely by shared scientific goals, with the collaborator's expertise perfectly complements our needs, others benefit from personal chemistry. A great conversation at a conference can make the collaboration smoother and more enjoyable by fostering an initial connection. Ultimately, the success of a collaboration depends on shared scientific goals and mutual respect. Even without a strong personal connection, the collaboration can thrive if both parties are motivated to achieve something meaningful together.

What do you think is needed to help more women and underrepresented researchers take up leadership positions in science?

I feel fortunate to be in a leadership position, and I often reflect on how to create more opportunities for women and underrepresented researchers. A crucial step is recognising and addressing barriers, which can be socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic or systemic factors, and work actively to lower them. From my experience as a researcher from Vietnam, visa challenges are a constant source of stress, often leading to cancelled plans or missed opportunities. Many underrepresented researchers face similar hurdles, yet this is rarely acknowledged. Providing practical support, like offering ample time for visa processing and clear support, such as letters or documentation, can make a significant difference and should become more mainstream. Systemic barriers also prevent science mobility. For example, non-citizens in certain countries are ineligible for grants and awards, creating a cascading effect that impacts job prospects, as their CVs might appear less competitive due to lack of eligibility rather than lack of ability. Science is a global endeavour, but systemic issues often don't align with the mobility required for global collaboration. Mentorship and sponsorship are equally vital. Offering personalised guidance, encouragement, and opportunities can be transformative. At the LMB, I participate in a mentoring scheme where postdocs can choose a secondary mentor to discuss career development. These relationships often go beyond formal meetings, evolving into regular check-ins, discussions about job searches or simply boosting their confidence. I often share my story, emphasising that, although I might not have had every advantage, persistence and support made a difference. In summary, addressing barriers, offering mentorship and sponsorship, and tackling systemic issues with empathy are essential to help women and underrepresented researchers step into leadership roles in science.

If you could change one thing in academia, what would it be?

Academia often emphasises scientific quality and productivity, which are certainly important, but it frequently overlooks the value of kindness and support. Awards and recognition typically focus on scientific achievements, offering little acknowledgment for those who excel as mentors and human beings. I believe we need greater recognition for scientists who are also exceptional mentors – those who guide others not only in research but in personal development. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work with mentors who do this behind-the-scenes support. Their influence goes beyond publications and results; they foster environments where individuals can thrive as both scientists and well-rounded, happy people. Recognising and celebrating these contributions – mentorship that nurtures both professional and personal growth is something that I hope to see more of.

Finally, could you tell us an interesting fact about yourself that people wouldn't know by looking at your CV?

I'm really passionate about martial arts. As a child, I spent many years practicing traditional Vietnamese and Chinese martial arts. I trained for ∼7 years and even performed in my hometown, going on tours with my masters. I earned a black belt, which might surprise people who don't know me well. It was especially meaningful to me because of my grandma. She was very passionate about martial arts, particularly Kung Fu, and she encouraged me to learn to defend myself. In fact, she was the one who paid for my tuition at the martial arts school, and her support was a big reason I stuck with it for so long. Although I don't practice martial arts as much anymore due to time constraints, I still try to stay fit and keep a little bit of that martial arts spirit alive.

Kelly Nguyen was interviewed by Sara Morais da Silva, Reviews Editor at Journal of Cell Science. This piece has been edited and condensed with approval from the interviewee.