Quan Nguyen
Curtin University
I am a first-year PhD student in Mathematical Optimization at Curtin University. Before that, I got an Honor Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Mathematical Analysis. In terms of professional experience, I have 9+ years of experience in mathematical education, focusing on mathematical Olympiad. I trained tens of strictly selected and gifted high school students who got prizes in mathematical competition in Vietnam at provincial, regional and national levels. I also have some short-term experiences in the industry related to data science, education technology and robotics, which helped me grow mindset and generated a clearer motivation for me to pursue a PhD program in Mathematics.
Give me a quick overview of the type of mathematics you are studying, and/or the aims of your research and its potential applications/outcomes
Mathematically, I am studying my PhD in Mathematical Optimization with a focus on Integer Programming and its techniques, where the well-known applications of the topic include solving the timetabling problem and Sudoku puzzle. The challenge of my topic is how to tackle large-scale optimization problems such that computer solvers like Gurobi cannot handle directly. This challenge has potential applications in both academia (e.g. optimizing parameters in machine learning and statistical models) and industry (e.g. industrial-sized scheduling problems).
How did you get into the mathematical sciences? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
This is a long story, When I was in high school, I loved solving hard math problems and it inspired me to pursue mathematics at university. After my undergraduate program, I worked in mathematical education for years, focusing on mathematical Olympiad, with the aim to show the beauty of mathematics to my students. During this period, I often received the questions from my students like “What is the application of this math topic?”, which motivated me to explore the real-world applications of mathematics by studying further a Master degree, then experiencing in different fields of the industry including stock trading, credit risk modelling and robotics, and currently studying a PhD in mathematics in order to tackle large-scale optimization problems in the mining industry.
You received a grant to attend AMSI Summer School. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others studying in similar fields?
During the four-week AMSI Summer School 2026, the Travel Grant played an important role to me to join in different courses, attend extra activities and talk with the other participants.
To be honest, without the Travel Grant, I would not have been able to attend the Summer School. Attending the Summer School in person brought to me not only new knowledge but also fun and enjoyable experiences that attending online may not have.
What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
The most valuable part of the program to me is to meet new people and learn from them. I learned a lot from the participants, knew about their life, cultures, fields of study and future plans. It helped me a lot in expanding my viewpoints and mindsets – which I think, is more important than just new pieces of mathematical knowledge
In the long-term, what do you think are the benefits of having attended Summer School?
During the Summer School, especially the Career Day event, I took chances to meet new people who are experts in their fields. It is extremely helpful in expanding my network for future career opportunities, while finding a job after PhD graduation is more and more challenging nowadays.
Summer School included a special Careers Day program which aims to help give students an idea of the kinds of career paths available to maths graduates in industry and private sector research areas. Do you feel better equipped to explore career options in the mathematical sciences after attending AMSI Summer School?
During the AMSI Summer School Career Day, I found out the importance of my field of study in both academia and industry. I was happy that I could see what the employers look for from candidates with a PhD degree. Thanks to attending the Summer School, now I feel more confident and a brighter future about job opportunities
What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Summer School in 2027? Should they apply and why?
If you are considering or pursuing your career in mathematics in Australia, the AMSI Summer School is highly recommended for you. You will definitely learn new engaging math topics and skills, learn new interesting mindset and thoughts from great and friendly people, have some memorable experiences, and find some plans or orientations for your future. For best experience of the Summer School, you should attend in person.
What are your current career ambitions in the mathematical sciences sector?
After my PhD, I first want to stay and build my reputation in academia. Then I will collaborate with the industry to solve industrial problems. My ultimate goal is to be a university professor, working with both academic and industrial partners, to fulfil my interests in nurturing young talents, doing research and tackling real-world problems.
How did connecting with the community at AMSI Summer School support your experience?
The AMSI Summer School is an enjoyable journey that I will never forget. Connecting with the community made the Summer School more colorful and beneficial for me. I had new friends, I connected with lectures and professors to know about their work and their current research challenges, I networked with the hiring companies in the Career Day events, etc.
Any other feedback/comments you would like to provide on the AMSI Travel Grant or AMSI Summer School 2026?
I would like to say thanks to the AMSI Summer School 2026 for the Travel Grant and accommodation support. I really enjoyed my stay during the Summer School. I love the atmosphere, the weather and the people there.