When postdoctoral researchers Hoang Quan Truong and Cao Thuy Giang Nguyen arrived at UConn in the spring of 2025, they brought with them more than technical expertise. They carried a global perspective shaped by years of international experiences and a common goal of improving lifesaving treatments around the world.
UConn’s international research community plays a vital role in driving this work forward. Through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, scholars like Giang and Quan bring diverse experiences and ideas to campus, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration. Originally from Vietnam, the married couple completed their Ph.D. programs in South Korea before spending a year as postdoctoral researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. These experiences broadened their scientific outlook and prepared them for the collaborative research environment they were seeking next.
That search led them to the Nguyen Research Group under Thanh Nguyen, an associate professor in the College of Engineering’s School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering. The pair were drawn to the Nguyen Group’s innovative approach and diverse group of researchers, looking for a place that would provide strong industry connections and a supportive environment. At the intersection of biomaterials, nano/micro-technology, and medicine, this would be the perfect place to build upon seven years of prior research for Giang and Quan.