Continuous effort

At the age of 29, Le Duy Hoang (from Hanoi) has had a rich learning and working experience from East to West, spanning 15 countries across 3 continents.

Le Duy Hoang is currently a PhD student in biochemistry at Dartmouth College (Dartmouth University, USA) on a 5-year full scholarship, focusing on developing methods for delivering drugs and vaccines, with applications in cancer treatment.

Renew yourself every day.

After graduating from the University of Science - Vietnam National University, Hanoi in 2018, Hoang received a professorship scholarship for a master's degree in biomedical science, studying and researching at Chonnam National University (South Korea). There, the young man began designing proteins used in vaccines and immunotherapy. Following that, he had the opportunity to work as a research assistant at Queen Mary University (London, UK) to learn about the innate immune system and, from that basic knowledge, apply it to the development of next-generation mRNA vaccines. Since the middle of this year, he has entered a new field related to biomedical materials and chemical synthesis at Dartmouth University. His current research involves the synthesis of new biomedical materials for drug delivery applications. "Currently, there are many different cancer therapies and drugs, however, through conventional routes, these drugs may not reach the tumor environment and may damage surrounding healthy cells. The new material helps to precisely deliver drugs to the tumor or disease centers, reducing drug side effects and optimizing treatment regimens," Hoang explained.

Always curious about how things work, Hoang wants to challenge himself in different environments, apply his knowledge to practice, and benefit the community. His joy comes from learning something new from those around him every day. This broadens his perspective, improves his skills, and allows him to move forward more confidently.

Hoang chose the United States as his destination for his PhD because it's a magnet for talent from all over the world and also has the most intense competition. American PhD programs typically last 5-6 years to ensure students have a solid foundation and can become independent researchers. Furthermore, Dartmouth College is a long-established university belonging to the Ivy League. Just a two-hour drive away, he can reach Boston – one of the world's largest biotechnology centers with numerous biomedical startups.

According to Le Duy Hoang (second from the right), commitment is a crucial factor in helping young people integrate and thrive.

A journey of perseverance

The primary purpose of scientific research is to generate new knowledge and contribute a small part to the general understanding of science. The challenge lies in constantly facing new, unsolved problems. There was a time when Hoang diligently repeated an experiment for months without achieving satisfactory results, causing him to become discouraged and doubt his own abilities. However, after actively discussing with colleagues and teachers, Hoang learned to break down the problem, approach the hypothesis from different angles, and find a solution. Working in a multicultural environment sharpened Hoang's thinking and broadened his perspective. He also learned valuable lessons about seeking help from those around him.

Upon arriving in the UK, Hoang was impressed by a quote from the movie "Paddington Bear": "In London, everyone is different, but that also means everyone can fit in." Amidst cultural differences, Hoang found shared values ​​of kindness and empathy in work and social relationships. He recounted, "Although I'm not a great cook, I once painstakingly fried over 80 spring rolls to share with international friends and received many compliments." Hoang is proud of and cherishes his friends from all over the world and the outstanding individuals he has worked with, seeing them as indispensable pieces in the tapestry of his life. And the most important support is his family and loved ones, who have always wholeheartedly supported him. This is also the strength that keeps Hoang steadfast in pursuing his goals, especially during the challenging two years of his doctoral scholarship search. His goal is to find materials that can optimize the "delivery" of drugs to certain types of cancer and to collaborate with domestic researchers to conduct multi-center clinical trials, providing the world with essential information for cancer research in Vietnam. "From these basic studies, I hope to be able to move into clinical trials, gradually commercialize the drugs, and help patients with more affordable medications that offer similar effectiveness," Hoang shared.

"Don't forget to treat everyone around you with sincerity and kindness. Sincerity helps spread your personal brand, enhancing your reputation and standing," Hoang emphasized.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/khong-ngung-no-luc-196250705200104613.htm