Josh Nguyen is a PhD student at the Centre for Adolescent Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences , University of Melbourne. He is a researcher and clinical psychologist, focusing on suicide prevention and promoting equity in mental health care.
AI research to predict suicide risk.
At the Victoria International Education Awards ceremony held in Melbourne on the evening of September 29th, Josh Nguyen received the International Student of the Year - Research award. He was then further awarded the Premier's Award - International Student of the Year, the highest award in the international student awards system this year.
The awards, organized by Study Melbourne, recognize international students and recent graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the Victorian community, education, and international connections.
The International Student of the Year Award is for international postgraduate research students who have achieved outstanding research results and made a clear academic, industry, or societal impact. The Premier's Award is selected from among the winners in the student categories.
PhD candidate Josh Nguyen receives the International Student of the Year - Research award. Photo: The University of Melbourne
Josh Nguyen's research focuses on applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to predict and prevent suicidal and self-harm behaviors in young people and groups with limited access to support services, with a particular emphasis on multicultural and LGBTQ+ communities.
According to Josh Nguyen in a 2024 interview, he chose this research direction based on his experience working in clinical psychology. One of the issues he was interested in was the ability to predict future suicide risk, thereby assisting professionals in early identification of high-risk cases.
From international student to psychology researcher
Josh Nguyen, whose Vietnamese name is Nguyen Duc Duy, moved to Australia to study at the age of 18. He completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in clinical psychology in Australia before pursuing a PhD at the University of Melbourne.
While in high school, Josh Nguyen was particularly interested in the human brain and emotions, but he didn't know that his area of interest was called psychology. It wasn't until he moved to Australia that he clearly defined his career path.
In his early years of study, Josh Nguyen encountered many challenges in the field of psychology. He believes that in addition to professional knowledge, psychologists need to understand the culture of the place where they practice, because applying theory appropriately to each patient requires subtlety and practical experience.
A PhD program in psychology in Australia typically lasts 3-4 years. In the first year, students focus on reading literature, researching their field, and presenting their thesis to a committee. Subsequent years are primarily dedicated to data collection, writing scientific papers, and other activities related to the research topic.
Research linked to mental health practices.
Experience working in a clinical environment also played a fundamental role in Josh Nguyen's choice of his current research direction. According to him, theoretical knowledge is essential, but to apply it in practice, psychologists need to understand each patient and their cultural context.
During his studies and research, Josh Nguyen attended numerous psychology conferences in Australia and internationally, and had the opportunity to work with researchers from many countries. In 2023, he also moderated a discussion on suicide and self-harm at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City.
Professor Jane Gunn AO, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, congratulated Josh Nguyen and said that his achievement, along with that of other candidates, demonstrates the important contributions of the international student community through leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to pursuing excellence.
Josh Nguyen said he was honored to receive the two awards.
"I feel fortunate to be able to support people struggling with mental health through my research and am grateful for the opportunities that higher education has given me, allowing me to support others when they need it most," he said.
The winner of each individual category receives 3,000 AUD, while the winner of the Premier's Award receives an additional 5,000 AUD.
Hoang Linh
Vietnamnet.vn
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nghien-cuu-sinh-tien-si-goc-viet-duoc-vinh-danh-sinh-vien-quoc-te-cua-nam-tai-uc-2560373.html
