Dr. Duong has achieved sustained national and international acclaim in his field of expertise – medical physics. As is fully illustrated by the materials included with this petition, Dr. Duong is highly regarded for his extraordinary ability with respect to his field of endeavor. To be sure, Dr. Duong is one of a small percentage of people who has arisen to the very top of his field and continues to develop groundbreaking methodologies and findings in his field of endeavor. In Vietnam, there are approximately 149 to 200 medical physicists. Among them, 37% hold a master’s degree, while only 1% have obtained a PhD. Dr. Duong is among this distinguished 1%.[1]
Dr. Duong is a dedicated researcher who successfully studies the intricate realms of medical physics specializing in radiation therapy. Medical physics involves the application of principles and techniques from physics to healthcare, particularly in areas like diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine. In radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy), a critical branch of medical physics, ionizing radiation from a medical linear accelerator (“LINAC”) or radioactive source is used to treat cancer and other medical conditions. This specialized field ensures the safe and effective delivery of radiation doses to targeted areas of the body, aiming to destroy cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Dr. Duong’s primary objective focuses on enhancing cancer treatment outcomes through the application of his innovative research. He has dedicated his entire efforts to integrating cutting-edge technologies and methodologies into cancer treatment practices, with the aim of optimizing patient care and advancing medical standards. His research topics have involved: External Beam Radiation Therapy, Brachytherapy, Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (“TRT”), Monte Carlo Simulation, Radion Dosimetry, Deep learning, and Radiomics. Dr. Duong’s contributions not only advance the scientific community’s understanding of integrating cutting-edge technology into cancer treatment practices, but also paves the way for innovative strategies to be implemented by other medical physicists throughout the world.
Dr. Duong’s research has changed the life of many cancer patients in Vietnam. While working in Dong Nai General Hospital, Dr. Duong’s research involved applying a new radiation technique, known as the Jaws-Only (“JO”) intensity-modulated radiation therapy (“IMRT) (collectively known as “JO-IMRT”) technique to treat head and neck cancer patients. This is a form of therapy that is achieved by varying the position and speed of the collimator jaws as the treatment is delivered. This approach can create complex dose distributions and allows for the precise targeting of the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Most oncology centers facilitate radiation techniques by the use of multi-leaf collimators (“MLC”). An MLC is a device used in radiation therapy to shape the radiation beam to conform to the shape of the tumor. It consists of numerous thin, movable leaves, typically made of tungsten, which can be individually adjusted to block or allow the passage of radiation. By moving these leaves into different positions, the MLC can create complex shapes that match the contours of the tumor, thereby minimizing the exposure of healthy surrounding tissues to radiation.
However, Dong Nai General Hospital did not have MLCs and needed an expert to research the use of JO-IMRT -- Dr. Duong was the expert to do so. The project was funded by the Health department of Dong Nai Province, Vietnam and was the first time this new technique was applied in the area for treating cancer patients. While several researchers investigated algorithms for IMRT using the integrated jaws on LINAC instead of MLC, it was because of Dr. Duong’s research that allowed him to be the first person to successfully use the JO-IMRT technique in Vietnam.
Beyond working in Dong Nai General Hospital, Dr. Duong has expanded his career, research, and experience as a consultant medical physicist by starting a radiation oncology department at University Medical Shing Mark Hospital (“Shing Mark Hospital”). His primary responsibility focused on being a consultant for the selection of a LINAC for radiation therapy as well as coordinating the installation, processing, commissioning, and clinical application of the chosen LINAC. While collaborating at Shing Mark Hospital, Dr. Duong has been continuing his pioneering research focused on evaluating the distinctive capabilities of the Halcyon system and enhancing treatment plans for cancer patients. Under Dr. Duong’s supervision, Shing Mark Hospital installed Vietnam’s first Halcyon system. This system integrates advanced imaging and treatment capabilities into a single, user-friendly platform, making it ideal for delivering various forms of radiation therapy, including IMRT and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT).
Upon completing his PhD in 2020, Dr. Duong transitioned to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) where he focused on learning about the intricacies related to technology in his field of endeavor. Dr. Duong continues to become a well-honed expert in his field of endeavor and is currently pursuing his postdoctoral associate position at The University of Western Ontario (“Western University”) in London, Ontario Canada. His research focuses on a targeted radionuclide therapy (“TRT”). TRT is an advanced cancer treatment that uses radioactive substances attached to molecules designed to seek out and bind to cancer cells. These radiopharmaceuticals are administered to the patient, where they travel through the bloodstream and specifically target tumor cells. The radionuclides emit radiation that destroys the cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, causing minimal side effects. TRT is particularly effective for treating cancers that have metastasized, offering a precise and targeted approach to cancer therapy.
At the most basic level, Dr. Duong’s work ensures that cancer patients not only receive optimal treatment outcomes but also experience enhanced comfort throughout their care journey. Beyond these direct benefits, Dr. Duong’s research and innovations significantly alleviate the workload for physicians and medical staff by streamlining treatment protocols and minimizing the need for multiple imaging sessions. This efficiency not only enhances patient care but also leads to substantial cost savings for hospitals and healthcare facilities, allowing them to allocate resources more effectively toward improving overall patient outcomes and experiences. The importance of Dr. Duong’s contributions is established: (1) via testimony and supporting letters from other experts in his field; (2) prizes and awards won; and (3) documentary evidence that experts throughout his field of endeavor consider his work important.
Dr. Duong’s research, his innovative approach to the application of new radiation techniques, and development of alternative radionuclides for TRT have garnered praise and accolades throughout his field of study. As is fully evidenced by the materials referenced below and enclosed with this petition, his successes have resulted in Dr. Duong being honored with grants, participating in publication and/or contribution in numerous articles in scholarly publications, as well as a rising trend of being a well-cited scholarly author.
