Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc, the mark of a Vietnamese scientist in the world's top 10,000

With more than 40 years of dedication to advanced materials and structures research, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc continues to affirm the position of Vietnamese science on the international map.

On September 19, 2025, PLoS Biology Magazine (USA) announced the annual ranking of the world's most influential scientists , built by a group of experts from Stanford University (USA) based on the Scopus database.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc works with students in the research group. Photo: NVCC.

According to the order in this ranking, this year, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc, former Chairman of the University Council, has risen to 51st place in the world in the field of Engineering.

Notably, this is the 7th consecutive year (2019-2025) that Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc has been recognized in this ranking, affirming his perseverance, tireless research efforts and increasingly solid academic position in the international scientific community.

Pioneer in research on advanced materials and structures in Vietnam

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc is one of the leading scientists in Vietnam in the field of advanced materials, structures and composites, with more than 40 years of research and education .

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc reports at the Plenary Session of the International Conference at Yonsei University, Korea. Photo: NVCC.

One of his outstanding contributions is the research on carbon-carbon three-phase composite materials with 3D/4D spatial structure, which are super light, super mechanically durable and super heat resistant. This is a strategic material applied in many industries such as aviation, maritime, defense, shipbuilding technology and civil products.

He is also a pioneer in researching functionally graded materials (FGM), nanocomposites, auxetic (negative Poisson ratio), pentagraphene and other smart materials, suitable for high temperature and harsh environmental conditions. These directions put him at the forefront of advanced research that many developed countries are pursuing.

Regarding scientific publications, Professor Duc has published about 400 scientific works, of which more than 200-250 articles were published in international ISI/SCI/SCIE journals. In the period 2020-2025 alone, he is the author of many ISI articles in groups Q1, Q2; many articles are in the top 5% of global ISI journals.

A notable application achievement is the patent of a three-phase composite with glass fibers and nanoparticles, which has been successfully used for waterproofing ship engine bays. This not only has practical value, but also high economic value.

In addition to research, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc is also a strong model builder for training and research. He founded the Advanced Materials and Structures Laboratory at the University of Technology (VNU), initiated the Civil Engineering master's program at the Vietnam Japan University (VJU). He is also the supervisor of many PhDs, attracting domestic and foreign graduate students and researchers to participate in advanced research topics.

With those contributions, Professor Duc's name has been internationally recognized: continuously on the list of 10,000 most influential scientists in the world (published by PLoS Biology), and ranked highly in the field of Engineering & Technology.

"To do science is to dare to accept sacrifice and disadvantage"

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc shared that his path to science was full of difficulties, hardships and challenges. The achievements he has made today are the result of his perseverance, strong will, and the support of his school and colleagues.

What makes him most proud is that he has built a strong research group, established new laboratories, departments and training majors at many universities. Typical examples are the Advanced Materials and Structures Laboratory, the Faculty of Traffic Construction Engineering Technology at the University of Technology, or the Civil Engineering major at the Vietnam-Japan University.

From these foundations, he contributed to the formation and development of the scientific school of advanced composite materials, creating prestige at Hanoi National University and being recognized by the domestic and international scientific community.

Above all, as a teacher, he has trained and inspired many generations of excellent and successful students, becoming high-quality human resources for the country.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc also commented that the generation of young scientists today has more advantages than before: being well-trained, having the opportunity to study and train abroad, with a high ability to integrate internationally. He advised: “I always hope that young people have perseverance and endurance, not chasing after fame. If you do science, you must dare to accept sacrifice and disadvantage.”

Sharing about being recognized in this year's rankings, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc said that he and other scientists do not work for the goal of ranking, but appearing in the international rankings is still an objective, fair recognition and has great encouragement.

More importantly, the rankings are a great source of encouragement, adding confidence and aspiration to generations of students and young scientists to continue to commit, integrate and conquer the pinnacle of knowledge.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc was born in 1963 in Lai Xa village, Kim Chung commune, Hoai Duc district (formerly Ha Tay, now part of Hanoi). Since his school years, he soon showed his intelligence and outstanding learning ability.

In 1984, he graduated as valedictorian of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, Hanoi University of Science. A year later, he participated in the entrance exam for postgraduate students to study abroad organized by the Ministry of Universities and excelled in winning the valedictorian position with the highest score.

Since 1985, he was sent to the MV Lomonosov Moscow State University to do his postgraduate research. In 1991, at the age of 28, he successfully defended his PhD thesis in Mathematics and Physics. Six years later, in 1997, at the age of 34, he continued to successfully defend his PhD thesis at the Russian Academy of Sciences - an important milestone affirming his talent and scientific ability.

With this outstanding achievement, he was invited by Clemson University (USA) to be a teaching assistant. Instead of choosing the path of starting a career abroad, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc decided to return to Vietnam, with the desire to contribute to the development of the young composite science industry, while at the same time training and inspiring the young generation of intellectuals in the country.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/gs-nguyen-dinh-duc-dau-an-nha-khoa-hoc-viet-lot-top-10000-the-gioi-post2149054831.html