(TLU) – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung, a distinguished alumnus of Thuyloi University, has officially been appointed Acting Director of the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute (NDWRRI). This appointment marks a significant milestone in his academic career in the United States and is a source of pride for the entire Thuyloi University alumni community.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung (far left) poses for a commemorative photo with colleagues and students at North Dakota State University (NDSU), USA.
According to an official announcement from North Dakota State University (NDSU), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung – currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering – will assume leadership of NDWRRI, one of 54 Water Resources Research Institutes nationwide under the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) system, administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
A new responsibility amid growing water resource challenges
The appointment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung comes at a time when water demand in the state of North Dakota has increased sharply, driven by rapid growth in agriculture and industrial sectors in recent years.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung, faculty member of the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at NDSU, conducting research on river ice processes.
Sharing his perspective on the new role, the newly appointed Acting Director stated: “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to apply my expertise in service of the state of North Dakota. I have set two immediate priorities: first, to strengthen the Institute’s standing by broadly disseminating research outcomes to key stakeholders; and second, to ensure that NDWRRI’s expertise directly addresses the state’s pressing needs in water resources planning and monitoring.”
He further emphasized that one of NDWRRI’s key challenges is to foster an open environment in which experts can freely exchange perspectives and collaborate to identify appropriate solutions. “This also presents an opportunity to build a strong NDWRRI community—one that is well prepared to advise policymakers at critical moments,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung added.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Building at NDSU, where he teaches and conducts research.
Trust from the leadership of NDSU University
Commenting on the appointment, Ms. Heidi Grunwald, Interim Vice President for Research and Creative Activity at NDSU, expressed strong confidence in Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung’s leadership: “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Trung as Acting Director. His deep expertise in hydrology is exactly what NDWRRI needs to proactively navigate this critical period.”
Ms. Grunwald also emphasized that Dr. Trung’s energy and national professional network will serve as a driving force in expanding partnerships and advancing new research directions, benefiting the Red River Valley and the entire state of North Dakota.
Academic foundations at Thuyloi University
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung is an alumnus of Cohort 40, majoring in Hydrology, and a former faculty member of the Faculty of Water Resources Engineering at Thuyloi University. He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2011, joined North Dakota State University in 2018, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024.
Over the past two decades, he has devoted his research to hydraulics and hydrology, with a particular focus on river ice jam forecasting – a critical issue in cold-region environments. In 2023, his outstanding research achievements were recognized with the prestigious CAREER Award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
With his new role, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung continues to affirm the intellectual capacity of Vietnamese scholars on the global academic stage, while serving as an inspiring role model of lifelong learning and scientific dedication for students of Thuyloi University.
Source: North Dakota State University (NDSU)
“I came to Thuyloi University in 1998 as a student of Cohort 40V, carrying with me a strong passion for learning and a desire to explore science. Those years were filled with creativity and energy—from academic study and research to cultural and sports activities. Together with my peers, we established the Student Informatics Club and participated in major academic competitions. Under the dedicated guidance of my professors, I had the opportunity to achieve high awards at the National Mechanics Olympiads, gradually engage in scientific research, and complete my undergraduate thesis with distinction, earning the VIFOTEC Award. From Thuyloi University, I continued my academic journey in Thailand and the United States, pursuing research in hydraulics, flow modeling, and water resources. Wherever I am, I always regard Thuyloi University as the place that laid a solid scientific foundation for my career—a spiritual anchor that motivates me to continue contributing to water resources management and disaster mitigation efforts in Vietnam and around the world.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung shared.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Bao Trung and colleagues from North Dakota State University presenting testimony before the North Dakota State Water Commission on flooding caused by ice melt in 2024.
