Nghe So Quan was born in 1995, originally from Hangzhou (China). So Quan said that he is not very smart, but he tries harder than others. In 2014, he took the entrance exam and passed the entrance exam to Zhejiang University (China).

"This is an attractive school for me - a place where many excellent students gather. Thanks to that, I never stop trying and developing myself," So Quan shared. The female student's passion for scientific research began in the summer of 2017. So Quan was fortunate to participate in a student exchange program and scientific research at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte, USA), lasting more than a month.

Here, So Quan developed an interest in researching liquid metals and discovered the potential of the Chemistry industry. Not only limited to traditional research such as Petrochemistry and Light Chemistry, So Quan also expanded to advanced fields such as Soft magnetic materials and Shape memory alloys.

Through lively discussions and hands-on practice with her instructor and group members, Su Jun’s passion for science was ignited. In 2018, after successfully completing her undergraduate program, Su Jun decided to pursue a research career. She continued her master’s and doctoral studies at Zhejiang University (China).

Nghe So Quan researches in the laboratory. Photo: Baidu

During this time, So Quan joined Professor Ta Dao's research group in the Department of Chemistry at the university. This is where she devoted her efforts to researching the properties of Shape Memory Alloys. So Quan's research area is the design and development of smart polymer materials that can change shape.

Unlike traditional alloys that only change under the influence of temperature, light or electricity. The polymer material that So Quan researched can adjust its shape according to the needs of use, called Shape Memory Hydrogels. This breakthrough discovery by So Quan plays an important role in the field of Medicine.

With a passion for scientific research and constant innovation, So Quan has successfully applied Shape Memory Hydrogels to the treatment of dry eye disease. At the same time, it opens up a new, safer treatment direction for millions of people with dry eye disease around the world. The use of Shape Memory Hydrogels is more effective than traditional treatment methods.

At the age of 29, after graduating with a doctorate, Nghe So Quan was invited to work at the No. 2 Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang University Hospital. Photo: Baidu

After 1.5 years of dedicated research and editing, So Quan's article was published in Nature Magazine in November 2023. The research paper received high praise from experts. They recognized the breakthrough in So Quan's research when discovering a new working mechanism of Shape Memory Hydrogels.

After the success of So Quan, Professor Ta Dao said that she is a persistent person. "Whenever she encounters a problem or is not satisfied with the research results, So Quan will do it to the end, not superficially." With her constant efforts, right after graduating with a doctorate, So Quan was invited to work at the No. 2 Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang University Hospital (China).

Of the four researchers invited, Dr. So Quan is the youngest. His exact salary when he joined the Ophthalmology Center No. 2 of Zhejiang University Hospital has not been disclosed, but So Quan is the only one who receives treatment equal to that of a professor.

"The ophthalmology industry does not lack good doctors, but it lacks applied researchers," said Professor Yao Ke, Director of the Ophthalmology Center No. 2 at Zhejiang University Hospital. According to the professor, So Quan's research has brought about great development and breakthroughs for the ophthalmology industry.

After a short time working here, So Quan clearly felt her own smallness in the research process. The female doctor hopes that through her efforts, there will be many applied researches contributing to modern medicine in the treatment of eye diseases.

Accordingly, the Military Department will continue to conduct scientific research and explore the application of new materials in the field of ophthalmology. In addition, the female doctor also hopes to carry out more interdisciplinary cooperation in the future with the aim of applying research achievements to life.

University valedictorian got 8.5 in IELTS twice in a row. In this May graduation, student Dinh Hung Duc Minh surpassed nearly 3,000 students to become valedictorian with a GPA of 9.16/10.