The State Council for Professorship has just announced the professorships awarded to nine hundred educators nationwide, including people from DTU.
Prof. Dr Nguyen Ngoc Hieu at DTU. Photo: DTU
Assoc.Prof. Dr Nguyen Ngoc Hieu made Professor in Physics
After graduating in Theoretical & Mathematical Physics from Hue University of Education in 2001, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Hieu continued his academic path and successfully defended his PhD on semiconductor physics at the Belarusian State University (Belarus) in 2009.
After working as a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina Central University (US), Dr Ngoc Hieu returned to Vietnam to continue his in-depth scientific research.
Dr Ngoc Hieu has been at DTU officially since 2013. He has worked as a lecturer, researcher, deputy director, and since 2018 as the director of the Institute of Research & Development (IRD).
Prof. Dr Ngoc Hieu’s expertise focuses on two specialized research areas: the electronic properties of one-dimensional carbon nano-materials, and the physical properties of two-dimensional materials with layered structures and van der Waals heterostructures.
Prof. Dr Nguyen Ngoc Hieu has achieved numerous accomplishments throughout his research career:
- published 70 scientific papers, including 63 in prestigious international journals,
- principal investigator of three fundamental research projects in the natural sciences & engineering funded by the National Foundation for Science & Technology Development (NAFOSTED),
- successfully supervised two PhD candidates, compiled two graduate textbooks, and led and contributed to the development of several training programs at DTU.
Prof. Dr Ngoc Hieu has upheld his professional philosophy throughout many years of lecturing and scientific research: “Continuously improve one’s qualifications; maintain one’s integrity, reputation, and professional honor; respect and protect learners and researchers’ rights; and actively engage in community service and professional development.”
Dr Nguyen Thanh Trung made Associate Professor in Agriculture
After successfully defending his PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of Greifswald (Germany) in 2010, Dr Nguyen Thanh Trung returned to Vietnam to work at DTU at the Center for Molecular Biology (CMB), which later became the Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (CPB).
Besides lecturing, Dr Thanh Trung focuses on applied-biotechnology research to promote sustainable agriculture:
- using the genetic diversity of indigenous microorganisms and applications of microbial technology in agricultural production,
- studying genetic diversity, analyzing chemical components, and evaluating the bioactive properties of plant species and medicinal fungi for conservation, use, and breeding
Assoc.Prof. Dr Nguyen Thanh Trung. Photo: DTU
Assoc.Prof. Dr Thanh Trung has achieved many noteworthy accomplishments:
- published more than 40 scientific papers, including 28 in international journals indexed by ISI or Scopus,
- key member of three projects overseen by ministries (NAFOSTED) and one national-level project from a Vietnam–Italy protocol, and as principal investigator of two school-level research projects,
- successfully supervised four Master's students,
- co-compiled an undergraduate reference book and a chapter for a reputable international publisher.
- His over 700 citations, an H-index of 13, and an i10-index of 20 (according to Google Scholar) demonstrate his persistence and depth in a field increasingly demanding real-world applications
What makes Assoc.Prof. Dr Thanh Trung stand out is his ability to bridge scientific research with real-world entrepreneurship and innovation
He is the co-founder and director of Vinseed Biotechnology LLC, which specializes in the research, production, and commercialization of products made from caterpillar fungus and herbal tea.
His research team identified the cause of root rot in Vietnamese ginseng and developed biological solutions to protect the plant, which is considered a national treasure of Vietnam and a “miracle herb” in traditional medicine.
“Combining lecturing, research, and running a business is a major challenge that requires continuous effort, good health, and above all support from family, colleagues, and students,” Assoc.Prof. Dr Thanh Trung says on his journey toward the title of associate professor. “I plan to further expand interdisciplinary research, integrating basic and applied studies, with a focus on using marine microbial genetic resources for agricultural and medicinal products.”
Dr. Phan Hong Khiem made Associate Professor in Physics
Choosing to do research in high-energy physics, Mr Phan Hong Khiem pursued his doctoral studies in Japan and earned his PhD from Sokendai in 2014.
He worked with the High-Energy Physics Group at the Japanese High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). He then did postdoctoral research at the DESY synchrotron research center (Germany) from 2014 to 2015.
Upon returning to Vietnam to work at the DTU Institute of Fundamental & Applied Sciences (IFAS), Dr Hong Khiem focused on his primary research direction: beyond-Standard-Model phenomenology, particularly extended Standard-Model frameworks with multiple Higgs scalars.
Assoc.Prof. Dr Phan Hong Khiem. Photo: DTU
With the goal of clarifying the structure of the Higgs potential, searching for signs of new physics, and proposing testable scenarios at current and future accelerators, Assoc.Prof. Dr Hong Khiem has conducted numerous studies and achieved notable accomplishments:
- published over 40 scientific papers, including more than 17 as lead author in international journals indexed by ISI or Scopus,
- served as principal investigator of three national-level research projects funded by NAFOSTED,
- supervised PhD candidates, graduate students, and undergraduates in modern research in high-energy physics.
“I’m truly happy to be working in a dynamic and professional academic environment as the one at DTU, which provides favorable conditions that allow scientists to pursue advanced research directions and so strive for and achieve meaningful scientific breakthroughs,” Assoc.Prof. Dr Hong Khiem affirms. “In the coming years, I aim to create a strong high-energy physics research group at DTU that will carry out breakthrough research and contribute to practical science & technology applications.”
A team of lecturers with high academic titles and qualifications not only enhances a university’s academic prestige but also creates an inspiring environment for learning and research for staff and students from undergraduate to PhD.
(Media Center)