On September 25, 2024, Professor Sy Duong-Quy, MD, PhD, FCCP was honored to be officially elected as a member of Sigma Xi, the world’s largest and most prestigious scientific research honor society. Sigma Xi is a globally renowned multidisciplinary research organization that brings together leading scientists and engineers, with a long-standing history and reputation for promoting advanced scientific research.

Professor Sy Duong-Quy is an outstanding Vietnamese medical practitioner., particularly in the fields of respiratory pathology and sleep medicine. Through a series of remarkable scientific achievements, he has not only affirmed his role domestically but also elevated the status of Vietnamese medicine on the international stage. Recently, his official recognition as a member of Sigma Xi marked a significant milestone in his scientific career.

A Proud Milestone: Joining Sigma Xi

Becoming a member of Sigma Xi is not only a recognition of Prof. Sy Duong-Quy’s scientific accomplishments but also a testament to his contributions to the development of science and technology. Sigma Xi, with over 200 members who have been Nobel Prize laureates, is an organization reserved exclusively for individuals with outstanding research achievements and significant potential. This milestone is not just an individual honor for Prof. Sy Duong-Quy but also a step forward in affirming Vietnam’s position in the global scientific community.

Career Journey and Outstanding Contributions to Science

With more than 20 years of dedication to research and teaching, Prof. Sy Duong-Quy laid the foundation for the field of sleep medicine in Vietnam. He has published over 160 international research papers and achieved an H-index of 24 - an indication of the profound influence of his scientific contributions in the field of medicine.

As the first Vietnamese to graduate with a PhD in Science in France in the field of respiratory pathology, he was guided by Prof. Dinh Xuan Anh Tuan - an excellent student of Prof. Alain Lockhart, the world's leading scientist, and an excellent student of Prof. André F. Cournand, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1956 for his discovery of the method of placing catheters in the heart, creating a breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, helping to save millions of lives worldwide. Prof. Sy Duong-Quy, a third-generation student of Prof. Cournand, has not only inherited but also developed timeless scientific values, contributing to the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory and sleep diseases. His innovations, such as antibacterial masks infused with essential oils and products for COVID-19 prevention, have made a substantial impact on public health.

Leadership and International Engagement

Currently, Prof. Sy Duong-Quy holds numerous significant roles both in Vietnam and internationally, including:

• - President of Lam Dong Medical College Council
• - Member of National Committee of Education and HRD - Vice-Chair of Vocational Education Committee.
• - Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. Penn State College of Medicine - USA
• - Former Resident and Practical Doctor of Bordeaux-Paris-Cochin Hospital, France
• - Member of GINA & GOLD Assembly and Advocacy
• - Past President of the Federation of SouthEast Asia of Sleep Medicine - FSSM
• - Chair of Scientific Research and Education Committee of FSSM
• - President of Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine - VSSM
• - Vice President of Viet Nam Respiratory Society.- VNRS
• - Editor in Chief: Journal of Vascular Medicine & Surgery - JVMS
• - Editor in Chief: Journal of Functional Ventilation and Pulmonology - JFVP
• - Vietnam’s representative to major international organizations like the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).

These roles enable him to drive advanced research projects and further integrate Vietnamese science into the global scientific community.

Prestigious Awards

For his exceptional contributions, Prof. Sy Duong-Quy has received numerous prestigious accolades from the Vietnamese government and international organizations, including:

• - The Second-Class Labor Order awarded by the President of Vietnam.
• - Certificates of Excellence and Letters of Appreciation from the Prime Minister.
• - The National Security Medal awarded by Mr. To Lam - Minister of Public Security (now General Secretary of the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam).
• - UNESCO Gold Cup and the title of “Outstanding Manager of Vietnam-ASEAN 2020.”
• - Recognition as one of the 70 “Innovative and Dedication Figures” of 2023 by the Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations.

An Inspirational Figure

Prof. Sy Duong-Quy epitomizes perseverance, creativity, and dedication to the greater good. His induction into Sigma Xi is not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to strengthen international collaborations, advance innovative research projects, and deepen Vietnam’s integration into the global scientific community.

With his tireless contributions and achievements, Professor Sy Duong-Quy, MD, PhD, FCCP has become an inspiration for younger generations, playing a pivotal role in building a strong, innovative Vietnamese medical and scientific foundation that is prepared to embrace opportunities and challenges in the new era.

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Author: Dr. Nguyen Duy Thai
Head of the Representative Office of the Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine in Hanoi.
President of the Vietnam Association of Nutrition & Sleep Medicine.
Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Traditional Medicine And Sleep Medicine.