As a former Asia Regional Winner in Computer Science and now an esteemed member of our judging panel, Truc Nguyen’s journey exemplifies the transformative potential of the Global Undergraduate Awards. Since his recognition in 2018, Truc has pursued groundbreaking research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), achieving his PhD and joining the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where his work is shaping the future of sustainable technology.

In this blog, Truc shares insights from his journey—from the impact of the Undergraduate Awards on his academic path to his current role on the frontlines of energy innovation.

Can you share a bit about your academic journey to this point and how it feels to be/how it felt to be recognised as a Global Undergraduate Award winner?

Winning the Global Undergraduate Award in 2018 was a memorable moment in my academic career. It wasn't just a recognition of my past efforts but a catalyst that drove my aspirations forward. Shortly after, I began my graduate studies in Computer Engineering at the University of Florida, where I eventually earned a PhD in 2023. Now, I am a Computational Science Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a U.S. national laboratory, where I work on addressing security and privacy challenges in integrating of AI into energy systems and scientific applications. This award helped bolster my confidence as a researcher. It validated my belief that my ideas and contributions held value on a global scale, which helped me pursue more ambitious research goals.

This year, I have the privilege of returning to the Global Undergraduate Awards as a judge in Computer Science. It’s an honor to help recognize the next generation of talented computer scientists and continue the tradition of fostering innovation.

Reflecting on your time in academia, what were some of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did they contribute to your personal and academic growth?

The biggest challenge in academia, and scientific research in general, is dealing with uncertainty. Research, by its nature, is unpredictable—you never know where an idea might lead, whether to a breakthrough or a dead end. Imagine how frustrating it would be to work day and night for months only to find that your research idea did not yield any significant results! These moments can make you feel stuck, unsure of the next steps to take.

What I’ve learned through these experiences is the importance of resilience and self-motivation. While it’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned, I’ve found that embracing uncertainty leads to the most profound growth. Each setback is an opportunity to refine my approach and think more critically about the problems I’m trying to solve. Over time, I’ve come to view challenges as opportunities to grow—not just as a researcher, but as a person.

Reflecting on these challenges has taught me that scientific progress often comes from embracing failure as part of the process. It’s not about avoiding mistakes, but rather about learning from them and continuously evolving. The collaborative nature of research also helped me realize that setbacks are easier to navigate when you have a support system of peers and mentors who provide fresh perspectives.

Could you highlight a particular academic achievement or moment that stands out as your favourite or most memorable?

While receiving my PhD diploma was pretty memorable, one academic moment that stands out was receiving the Distinguished Paper Award at AAAI 2023, a top-tier conference in AI. Out of 8,777 submissions, only 12 papers were selected for this recognition. The award validated the significance of my work in AI, especially given the competitive nature of the field. It also reinforced my belief that meaningful research comes from pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territories.

Can you share the role mentors or advisors played in your academic journey? Any specific advice that profoundly influenced you?

Mentorship has been integral to my academic success. I would attribute many of my achievements to having mentors who genuinely cared about my success. One significant thing I learned from my PhD advisor was to always raise my standards and push beyond what I thought I was capable of. Now, as a mentor to younger researchers, I try to pass on the same lessons, fostering both technical skills and a strong mentality of resilience and curiosity.

Given the global nature of the awards you have/had received, how/has exposure to different cultures and perspectives influenced your academic and personal development?

Collaborating with peers from different cultural and academic backgrounds has tremendously enriched my research in ways I hadn’t anticipated. A diversity of thoughts and expertise is crucial to the success of any research project - diverse perspectives often lead to creative solutions and uncover research gaps that may not be immediately apparent. Working with individuals who approach problems from different angles has helped me think more broadly and innovatively about my own work. I’ve also found that communicating with people from different backgrounds is challenging, as it pushes me to convey complex ideas in ways that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their field or culture.

Since being recognised with the Global Undergraduate Award, how has this achievement influenced your perspective on your education and future aspirations?

It’s incredibly rewarding to be acknowledged by the scientific community, validating that my research brings important contributions to the field. This recognition inspired me to pursue more challenging and impactful research endeavors. It also reaffirmed the importance of perseverance, showing that the hard work and dedication I invested in my research can make a difference on a global scale.

Is there anything else you'd like to share – perhaps a piece of wisdom or a lesson you've learned during your academic journey?

Don’t expect things to be easy—in fact, it’s the difficulties that make doing research both interesting and exciting. Imagine how boring it would be if everything went smoothly without any ups or downs! It might sound ironic, but I’ve learned and grown the most when things didn’t go as planned. Setbacks and failures are inevitable in research, but they are where the greatest lessons lie. Research is about exploring the unknown, and the satisfaction of finding new insights, no matter how small, is what makes the journey worthwhile.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to embrace challenges and strive to continually raise the bar for myself. I’ve also found that the ability to overcome setbacks is crucial not just for success, but for personal growth. Of course, these things are easier said than done, but each failure truly is an opportunity to learn and improve.