Having passed through three rigorous rounds of evaluation by the Priliminary council, Professional committee, and Professional Council, which is comprised of leading professors, scientists, and industry experts, Dr. Vu Thai Ha’s groundbreaking dissertation “Computational Approaches to Expand the Applications of Chromatin State Annotations” has been awarded the SIU Prize Computer Science Honorable Mention.

Dr. Vũ Thái Hà is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Gladstone Institute, University of California, USA. In 2023, she successfully defended her dissertation titled “Computational Approaches to Expand the Applications of Chromatin State Annotations” at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – a prestigious institution ranked No. 1 in the Best National University and No. 7 in the Best Undergraduate Bioinformatics/Biotechnology Programs according to the US News university rankings at the time of her graduation.

Dr. Ha’s dissertation addresses a core challenge in biological research: constructing accurate annotation systems for the human genome using epigenetic data. Her research offers computational tools that have significantly advanced our ability to label and analyze genomes, providing researchers with a deeper understanding of the biological properties of individual genomic regions. These tools were designed with groundbreaking technology and high practical applicability, capable of processing massive datasets up to terabytes in size through parallel computing on clusters. Dr. Vu Thai Ha has set a new standard in complex biological data processing and analysis by comprehensively addressing numerical instability issues in multidimensional data analysis.

Dr. Ha expressed her honor to receive the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 award and regretting her inability to attend the award ceremony due to ongoing research commitments

The impact of this research extends beyond the theoretical scope. Dr. Ha’s research has been applied to the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC), where her developed annotation systems are used to analyze large-scale genomic data. The datasets generated from this research have become invaluable resources, opening up new opportunities in exploring the genetic factors influencing human health and human disease.

During her academic pursuit, Dr. Ha has published 11 papers in prestigious scientific journals, including Nature Aging, Genome Biology, Bioinformatics, and Science. She is the main author of three of these papers. Her independent research capabilities, impact, and international recognition have been solidified through these research achievements.

Moreover, Dr. Ha’s research has attracted funding from prestigious organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), demonstrating global recognition for her groundbreaking contributions.

Dr. Vu Thai Ha’s dissertation “Computational Approaches to Expand the Applications of Chromatin State Annotations” marks a significant breakthrough in the field of genome analysis, opening up promising directions for modern biological research. The SIU Prize, with its mission to promote outstanding research, aims to foster innovation and address modern challenges in the fields of education, healthcare, environment.

For the highly practical dissertation “Toward Image Semantic Segmentation and Classification using Bracket-style Convolutional Neural Networks and Its Variants”, Dr. Hua Cam Hao won the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Honorable Mention.

Impressing the SIU Prize Computer Science Councils, Dr. Hao’s dissertation focuses on advanced computer vision technology, specifically Bracket-style Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Cross-Attention Fusion mechanisms. This method has proven its ability to repeatedly combine semantic information from low-resolution multi-dimensional feature arrays with contextual information from high-resolution arrays in pairs throughout the end-to-end processing flow of the foundational CNN architecture. As a result, the model achieve high efficiency in image segmentation and classification, particularly useful for medical and industrial applications.

In addition, Dr. Hao’s dissertation is proved its value by a series of outstanding research works published in leading international journals and conferences, including three SCIE-indexed articles and three papers presented at A* conferences such as IEEE SMC and IEEE EMBC. These achievements affirm the academic quality of his dissertation and highlight the practical potential of the models he developed.

Dr. Hua Cam Hao received the SIU Prize for his breakthrough and highly practical research in medicine and industry

Dr. Hua Cam Hao, currently a Senior AI Research Engineer at TymeX Vietnam, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in 2022 at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. Beyond the theoretical significance, some of his innovations have been transferred to major technology corporations, demonstrating the real-world value and importance of his research for the industry.

Moreover, Dr. Hua Cam Hao is developing promising research directions for the future. He is working on lighter and faster versions of his deep learning models using Knowledge Distillation and expanding their applications to other areas of visual perception, such as object recognition and image resolution restoration.

The SIU Prize is a powerful source of inspiration, igniting Vietnam’s young generation’s creativity and desire to contribute on the international arena. Exceptional talents like Dr. Hua Cam Hao is striving to pursue breakthrough research, offering pioneering solutions to global challenges, particularly in critical fields such as education, healthcare, and the environment. By honoring such achievements, the SIU Prize also supports the journey toward creating sustainable values for a better future.

Dr. Pham Huu Dang Nhat, Assistant Professor at Cardiff University, Wales, UK, has been awarded the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Bronze Prize for his groundbreaking dissertation: “Enabling Human Physiological Sensing by Leveraging Intelligent Head-Worn Wearable Systems”.

Defended at the University of Oxford in 2023, Dr. Pham Huy Dang Nhat’s dissertation focuses on developing wearable devices to capture and analyze vital physiological signals accurately.

Notably, his research demonstrated the feasibility of measuring brain waves, eye movements, and facial expressions – signals previously thought to be measurable only in complex laboratory settings.

Beyond academic significance, these devices hold immense potential for real-world applications. With the technology developed by Dr. Pham Huu Dang Nhat, we could detect and prevent drowsy driving, continuously monitor and detect epilepsy at home, or even track heart health daily with ease and accuracy.

Dr. Pham Huu Dang Nhat received the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Bronze Prize

Dr. Pham Huy Dang Nhat is leading numerous influential research projects, including those funded by international organizations such as the Alan Turing Institute, the Royal Society, the UKRI, the Welsh Government, and directly from Cardiff University. With a total funding of £350,000 (~450,000 USD), these projects have strong scientific links with partners in the US, South Korea, and Vietnam.

His excellence is illustrated by his impressive publication record and prestigious nominations. Most importantly, it is his persistent spirit and tireless passion for research, so that each of his works generate practical value, capable of addressing practical aspects of human life.

SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Bronze Prize: VND 400,000,000 (Four hundred million Vietnamese Dong) in cash; SIU Prize silver commemorative medal; and a tour worth up to VND 200,000,000 (Two hundred million VND). In the inaugural season of 2023-2024, the SIU Prize Computer Science received over 100 nominations from 19 countries and territories. The outstanding works covered a wide range of fields: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Network and Information Security, Telecommunications, IoT, Bioinformatics, etc. The nominations went through three strict rounds of evaluation by the Preliminary Council, Professional Committee and Professional Council, which consisted of leading professors, scientists, and experts in related fields from prestigious universities, research institutes, and businesses in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice President of Research & Development Fasikl Incorporated, Minnesota, USA has been awarded the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Silver Prize for his breakthrough dissertation: “A High-Precision Bioelectric Neural Interface toward Human-Machine Symbiosis”.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan’s dissertation, successfully defended at the University of Minnesota in 2021, has opened up a new era, enabling amputees to control human-like prosthetic limbs through neural interfaces. This is a significant leap forward in realizing the potential of human-machine symbiosis and significantly improving the quality of life for millions of people with motor impairments worldwide.

By developing a neural interface microchip combined with deep learning AI, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan has demonstrated the capacity to control a prosthetic hand through thought intuitively. This is a technological achievement, evidencing the vision of a seamless connection between the nervous system and artificial intelligence.

The neural interface, developed through the combination of advanced microchips and deep learning AI, creates a system that allows intuitive control of a prosthetic hand through thought. This is not only a major technological advancement but also a significant improvement in the quality of life for millions of people with motor impairments worldwide.

Dr. Tuan and his team at Fasikl Inc. are currently preparing for clinical trials to commercialize this device, bringing breakthrough benefits to patients worldwide.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan received the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Silver Prize

Dr. Tuan’s research is not only academical significance but also a clear demonstration of how technology could be applied to improve human life quality.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan has been involved in numerous prestigious research projects funded by organizations such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF)-USA, with a total funding of $2,369,242.

Throughout his research, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan has published 19 papers in prestigious scientific journals, co-authored 2 book chapters. He also holds 2 US patents with 10 more pending to be granted.

Dr. Tuan’s outstanding contributions not only represent a significant advancement in science but also inspire innovation and trigger aspiration to reach new highs.

SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Silver Prize: VND 1,000,000,000 (One billion VND) in cash; SIU Prize silver commemorative medal; and a tour worth up to VND 200,000,000 (Two hundred million VND). In the inaugural season of 2023-2024, the SIU Prize Computer Science received over 100 nominations from 19 countries and territories. The outstanding works covered a wide range of fields: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Network and Information Security, Telecommunications, IoT, Bioinformatics, etc. The nominations went through three rigorous rounds of evaluation by the Preliminary Council, Professional Committee and Professional Council, which consisted of leading professors, scientists, and experts in related fields from prestigious universities, research institutes, and businesses in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Assistant Professor at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia, has received the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Honorable Mention for his thesis “Debunking Misinformation on the Web: Detection, Validation, and Visualisation”.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam’s thesis was successfully defended in 2019 at the prestigious École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, marking a breakthrough in addressing the global challenge of online misinformation.

Highly appreciated for its applicability, the thesis has introduced real-time tools to detect and reduce the spread of misinformation on social media platforms. By integrating low-cost authentication techniques with advanced visualization methods, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam’s research not only improves the accuracy of algorithms but also provides powerful solutions for governments, media organizations and communities to promote informed decision-making and protect democratic processes.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam received the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Honorable Mention

The creativity and originality of his research is highlighted by a novel progressive graph model that exploits the “echo chamber effect” to identify entities affected by misinformation. By harmoniously combining human expertise with advanced algorithms, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam’s work has become a solid framework to combat misinformation globally.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam has an impressive academic record, with 12 CORE A* (top 7.5% in the world) articles during his time as a Ph.D candidate. His works have been published in leading journals such as IEEE TKDE, ACM CSUR, VLDBJ, Pattern Recognition and leading conferences proceedings such as SIGMOD, VLDB, ICDE, WSDM, SIGIR, IJCAI.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam’s postdoctoral research continues to open up new directions, focusing on integrating AI and big data in order to enhance society’s ability to respond to online misinformation.

In the inaugural season of 2023-2024, SIU Prize Computer Science has received more than 100 nominations from 19 countries and territories. Outstanding works are in a variety of fields: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Network and Information Security, Telecommunication Engineering, IoT, Bioinformatics… The nominations have gone through 3 rounds of rigorous evaluation implemented by the Preliminary Council, the Professional Committee, and the Professional Council, which consists of leading professors, scientists, and experts in related fields from prestigious universities, research institutes, and enterprises in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Vietnam.

The SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 award ceremony has honored Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu, senior research scientist at Google DeepMind, Washington, USA, with the Bronze Prize for his bold and groundbreaking thesis: “Olympiad-Level Geometry Theorem Proving without Human Demonstrations.”

Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu’s thesis is considered to be groundbreaking and bold. In an era where artificial intelligence is driven by data, Dr. Trieu has chosen a different path – developing a method for AI to prove the Olympiad geometry theorem, without human demonstration. This is strong evidence, proving that machines can possess the ability to reason independently, not just imitating human abilities.

In 2024, Dr. Trieu’s thesis was successfully defended at New York University – a prestigious educational institution, ranked 35th globally and 20th in the field of Computer Science. His research goes beyond competitive geometry problems and has the potential to be broadened in order to address unsolved research problems – a new frontier in theoretical and applied mathematics.

With a completely new and groundbreaking approach, Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu has started a new theoretical framework for AI reasoning. Imagine a world where machines are not just tools but also partners in scientific discovery, capable of proving theorems and expanding knowledge independently.

Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu’s research has resonated strongly in the international academic community. These discoveries have been published in the Nature (journal) and presented at prestigious conferences such as the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML).

The moment Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu was honored with the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Bronze Prize, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions in the field of Computer Science

Beyond the academic aspect, Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu’s innovation has also been recognized by a US patent, contributing to improving the learning ability of artificial neural networks. In addition to the theoretical aspect, this achievement is also a transformative application, taking AI a step further in solving seemingly impossible challenges.

Throughout his research career, Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu has collaborated with prestigious organizations such as Google DeepMind, New York University and participated in highly influential research projects.

Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu’s achievement is a testament to the extraordinary intelligence and determination of young Vietnamese scientists in the international arena. His research inspires innovation and lays the foundation for future scientific breakthroughs.

Tran Hoang Dung – Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, USA has been honored with the SIU Prize Computer Science Gold Prize for his outstanding contributions in the field of learning-enabled cyber-physical systems.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung’s doctoral thesis “Verification of Learning-Enabled Cyber-Physical Systems” was successfully defended at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA in 2020. The research focuses on establishing a mathematical foundation, data structures and algorithms to verify the safety of various types of neural networks and automated systems based on machine learning.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung is the recipient of the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Gold Prize for his groundbreaking thesis.

The applications of the thesis are extremely broad. It can ensure the safety and sustainability of advanced technologies such as self-driving cars, drones and deep neural networks, laying the key foundation in the field of modern computing.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung’s notable achievements include the first verification method capable of analyzing real-world systems such as VGG16 networks and semantic segmentation networks. His method is proven to outperform the existing methods. Dr. Tran Hoang Dung is leading the development of pioneering solutions for safe AI, autonomous systems, and real-time verification.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung has published more than 40 research papers, many of which have been published in leading journals and conference proceedings in the fields of programming languages ​​and logic, formal methods, cyber-physical systems, neural networks, and machine learning systems. Dr. Dung’s works are among the most cited research papers in recent years, demonstrating the recognition of the international scientific community for his contributions. For his contributions in the field of security of learning-enabled cyber-physical systems, his doctoral thesis received the IEEE Best Dissertation Award in the field of Cyber-Physical Systems in 2021.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung has led and participated in many research projects funded by prestigious organizations such as the US National Science Foundation (NSF), the US Army and large corporations such as Toyota, with a total project budget of approximately 2.6 million USD. Of which, approximately 1.92 million USD (73%) is the project in which Dr. Dung holds the role of principal chair or sole chair. Notably, Dr. Tran Hoang Dung’s new research direction on the safety of complex learning-enabled systems is proposed for the NSF CAREER Award worth 700,000 USD, which is the most prestigious award for young professors in the US sponsored by the US National Science Foundation.

The SIU Prize is an award that celebrates Vietnamese intelligence and promotes scientific creativity, seeking to affirm Vietnam’s position on the international technology and research community. The award is the commitment of the Group of Asian International Education in establishing a global knowledge community, thereby, accompanying the sustainable development of humanity.

The SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Award Ceremony was held on January 11, 2025 to honor outstanding global Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin Ph.D holders in the field of Computer Science.

In the inaugural season of 2023-2024, SIU Prize Computer Science has received more than 100 nominations from 19 countries and territories. Outstanding works are in a variety of fields: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Network and Information Security, Telecommunication Engineering, IoT, Bioinformatics… The nominations have gone through 3 rounds of rigorous evaluation implemented by the Preliminary Council, the Professional Committee, and the Professional Council, which consists of leading professors, scientists, and experts in related fields from prestigious universities, research institutes, and enterprises in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Vietnam.

Ho Thien Phuoc, recipient of the Gold Award – Group C – SIU Piano Competition 2024 (Season 2), with his piano performance

The award ceremony welcomed many prominent leaders, scholars, businesses, figures and politicians of Vietnam.

Representatives of the Preliminary Jury, the Professional Committee and the Professional Council of SIU Prize Computer Science 2023-2024 received appreciation flowers from the representative of SIU

On behalf of the SIU Prize Computer Science Professional Council, Prof. Nguyen Thanh Thuy shared his thoughts: “We hope that with the SIU Prize Computer Science awarded today, you will continue to research and develop your projects for a better Vietnam and a better world.

At the award ceremony, Mr. Le Quang Huy – Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment congratulated all the laureates. He also emphasized long-term investment in people is always the core factor for the sustainable development of the country and humanity. In addition, Mr. Chairman highly appreciated the initiative to launch the SIU Prize with the mission “For Vietnamese intellectual excellent”.

“These efforts are an important bridge, connecting Vietnamese talents around the world, together joining hands to generate breakthrough innovations in solving major problems of the country and society, together heading towards the goal of sustainable development of humanity.” – Mr. Le Quang Huy said.

Expressing her honor to attend the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Award Ceremony, Prof. Alondra Nelson – Member of the National Science Board, Member of U.N. High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton congratulated the outstanding achievements of the laureates. She strongly believed that the laureates are the representatives of the bright future that Vietnam and the Vietnamese community around the world are aiming for.

Prof. Alondra Nelson spoke at the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Award Ceremony

The laureates embody the excellence of global Vietnamese youth in the field of IT and AI with excellent theses and many patents and solutions that are being and shall be applied in countries and high-tech corporations, demonstrating immense potential to pioneer breakthroughs in tackling critical challenges of the modern world, especially those in education, health and environment.

Dr. Tran Hoang Dung – Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, was honored with the SIU Prize Computer Science Gold Prize for his outstanding contributions in the field of learning-enabled cyber-physical systems. Sharing thoughts regarding the award, the Gold Prize recipient said: “The SIU Prize is not only a valuable recognition but also a great source of encouragement, motivating us to continue our efforts as well as our dedication to the scientific field that we pursue. In particular, this award has given us, young scientists from all over the world, the opportunity to meet, to exchange and to establish important premises for future cooperation.”

The SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Gold Prize was awarded to Dr. Tran Hoang Dung for the thesis “Verification of Learning-Enabled Cyber-Physical Systems”

 

For the groundbreaking thesis “A High-Precision Bioelectric Neural Interface toward Human-Machine Symbiosis”, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan received the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Silver Prize

The Bronze Prize was awarded to Dr. Trinh Hoang Trieu, Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, Washington, USA

Dr. Pham Huu Dang Nhat, Assistant Professor, Cardiff University, Wales, UK received the SIU Computer Science Season 1 Bronze Prize

The Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam for the thesis “Debunking Misinformation on the Web: Detection, Validation, and Visualisation”; Dr. Hua Cam Hao for the thesis “Toward Image Semantic Segmentation and Classification using Bracket-style Convolutional Neural Networks and Its Variants” and Dr. Vu Thai Ha for the thesis “Computational Approaches to Expand the Applications of Chromatin State Annotations”. The total value of each Honorable Mention is 400,000,000 VND in cash; SIU Prize silver medal; and a trip combining the award ceremony and international conference in Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam …

… Dr. Hua Cam Hao …

… and Dr. Vu Thai Ha are the 3 laureates of the SIU Prize Computer Science Season 1 Honorable Mentions.

In addition to the above-mentioned categories, the inaugural season of SIU Prize Computer Science also awarded the “Spirit of Dong A” – a special award worth 100 million VND, honoring scientists who graduated with a doctorate from a Vietnamese university, and were ranked in the Top 10 of the award. The “Spirit of Dong A” seeks to reward and promote the spirit of self-reliance of domestic candidates.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thu Thuy – Director-General of Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training and Dr. Tran Quoc Cuong – Director-General of the Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences Department, Ministry of Science and Technology presented the Dong A Spirit Award to Dr. Pham Tri Cong

At the award ceremony, the SIU Prize Organizing Committee also announced the launch of SIU Prize Health Sciences, with nominations starting in March 2025.

Activities within the award seek to celebrate Vietnamese intelligence and promote scientific creativity, thereby affirming Vietnam’s position on the international technology and research community. The award is the commitment of the Group of Asian International Education in establishing a global knowledge community, thereby, accompanying the sustainable development of humanity.

SIU Prize Week and Highlights In addition to the award ceremony, SIU Prize Week 2025 has organized special activities to enhance the exchange of knowledge and the connection between scientific communities: 1. The conference “Law on Artificial Intelligence” on January 4, 2025 The event, organized by SIU in collaboration with the Institute of Law and Social Studies under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, focuses on solutions to improve policies and laws in the responsible use of artificial intelligence. 2. The conference “AI systems in Education and Smarthealth” on January 8, 2025 The conference was organized by SIU, seeking to establish a forum for academic exchange, knowledge sharing and promote applied scientific research in the field of AI. 3. The International Conference “SIU Shaping Futures: AI for a Better World” on January 11, 2025 With the motto “SIU Shaping Futures”, the focus of the conference revolves around current global issues such as: Safe and sustainable AI development; Augmented intelligence systems combining natural intelligence and artificial intelligence; Government’s use of AI for best service.

Some highlight of the event: