Ha Hai Duong, currently in his final year studying chemistry at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., previously attended HUS High School for Gifted Students in Hanoi.
Initially planning to become a doctor in Vietnam, his deep interest in scientific research led him to accept a scholarship worth approximately US$275,000 from Georgetown University in 2021, prompting his relocation to the U.S.
Last year, Duong received PhD program offers from 11 universities, among them the MIT, Stanford, Yale, and the University of California, Berkeley. Most of these offers included financial aid packages exceeding $100,000 annually, covering tuition and research expenses.
Duong’s research centers on fluoride compounds, particularly their detection and extraction through ionization techniques. He has successfully developed a device capable of identifying fluorine concentrations at very low levels, while also significantly more efficient than thermal ionization methods.
Duong’s academic journey has been marked by several achievements, including the publication of his research in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal during his second year at Georgetown. He is preparing his second research paper.
His passion for interdisciplinary studies became evident during a research internship at Stanford University in his third year, where Duong explored quantum chemistry and physics, particularly working on quantum supercomputers.
Initially planning to apply to only five schools for his PhD programs, Duong expanded his applications to 11 institutions due to concerns about financial aid. Remarkably, he was accepted by all.
Professor Milena Shahu of Georgetown’s chemistry department praised Duong’s exceptional intelligence, determination and research skills, describing him as an outstanding young scientist.
Set to graduate in May, Duong plans to remain in the U.S. to further develop his research capabilities. Ultimately, he hopes to return to Vietnam to share his knowledge through teaching and mentorship.
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