Vietnamese scientist among global influencers, pioneers in biomedical research

Stanford University (USA) has just announced the ranking of the world's most influential scientists in 2025, including Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep, Senior Lecturer at Quy Nhon University.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep guides students in their research at Quy Nhon University. Photo: Quy Nhon University.

The only Vietnamese person to qualify as a professor in France in 2024

In 2024, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep attracted attention by being in the top 3 best candidates to qualify as a professor in France.

Notably, she not only met the professor standard but was also recognized in all three positions she applied for in the fields of Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Organism Biology.

According to experts, the fact that a Vietnamese female lecturer has achieved the title of professor in France – a country with the world's leading science and education – is a rare and proud achievement.

This achievement not only opens up great opportunities in research development and attracting international funding for Ms. Diep's projects, but also creates a premise to promote training cooperation and academic exchange between Vietnam and France.

To become a professor in France, candidates must meet a series of strict criteria: possess an HDR degree, preside over many research projects, have prestigious international publications, publish academic books, have rich experience in teaching, guiding students, graduate students and researchers.

With many years of experience in biomedical science, she has made positive contributions in research and teaching, becoming a bridge to bring Vietnamese scientific knowledge to integrate more deeply with the world .

New advances in assisted reproduction

In 2024, her research team successfully developed two new recombinant human gonadotropin hormones (hFSH and eCG) with long half-lives, requiring only a single injection for the entire assisted reproductive process. Her work has opened up opportunities for more sustainable and effective solutions for patients.

This is an important first step to help her realize her dream of producing artificial hormones in Vietnam, opening up more effective treatment opportunities for infertile couples.

Within the framework of the project, the research team successfully developed two new recombinant gonadotropin hormones: hFSH (human Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and eCG (equine Chorionic Gonadotropin). This success is considered an important advance, helping to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce the cost burden for patients.

The two new hormones have a long half-life, allowing for a single injection for the entire treatment. Furthermore, the production process is simpler than that of traditional products from natural sources, reducing costs and increasing accessibility.

Pioneering spirit is demonstrated not only in technology but also in the ability to apply it to medical practice, contributing to solving one of the important public health problems, while promoting the development of biomedical science and biotechnology in Vietnam.

A journey of passion for biomedical science

In 2005, after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Biology, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep was retained by Quy Nhon University as a lecturer. From here, she began to pursue research in agricultural biotechnology, and at the same time considered scientific research an important task to improve knowledge for teaching.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep.

Four years later, she completed her master's degree in Experimental Biology at Quy Nhon University. She then successfully defended her doctoral thesis in Biology, specializing in Life Sciences and Health at François Rabelais University (France).

At the end of 2016, she went to France to do postdoctoral research and collaborated with Professor Yves Combarnous at the French National Center for Scientific Research. In 2022, she continued to affirm her academic ability when she successfully defended her Doctor of Science degree in France.

With her contributions in teaching and research, in 2019, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep was recognized as meeting the standards for the title of Associate Professor.

Her relationship with this field began in 2011, when she was a PhD student at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), focusing on the role of the protein AMPK - a key factor in the cell's energy metabolism.

After successfully completing her PhD program, she continued to receive postdoctoral offers at INRAe and Kent State University (USA). This was a rare opportunity to continue developing her career in an international scientific environment. However, she chose to return to Vietnam, nurturing her dream of building the first biomedical science laboratory in Binh Dinh, opening up a new research direction while serving her teaching work.

"I always think about how to help Quy Nhon University students in particular and Vietnamese students in general fly further and reach further than me," she shared.

Despite the lack of research facilities in the country, Associate Professor, Dr. Mong Diep still persistently "opened the way", accepting to be away from her family for several months each year to go to France to collaborate at INRAe, accessing a modern scientific environment. Returning to Vietnam, she took advantage of her accumulated experience to teach, spread knowledge and contribute to promoting the image of Vietnamese people and culture to the world.

“Belief in the value of work and the desire to contribute to bringing benefits to the community have always been the driving force for me to pursue the path of biomedical science research to the end,” she shared.

In 2023, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mong Diep was honored in the Outstanding University Teacher program, along with 32 outstanding teachers nationwide. Previously, at the ASIA Economic Integration Forum held in Hanoi (January 2021), she was voted as one of 10 outstanding creative and dedicated intellectuals and scientists in ASIA.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/nha-khoa-hoc-viet-lot-top-anh-huong-toan-cau-tien-phong-nghien-cuu-y-sinh-post2149055415.html