Dr. Thong PHAM, 39, originally from Phu Yen province, Vietnam, currently a lecturer at the STEM unit (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the University of South Australia, has been awarded the Young Researcher Award by the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC)—the leading global association for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in construction.
The announcement was made by the IIFC on 13 May 2025. The award will be officially presented at the CICE Conference, the world’s largest international conference on FRP in construction, scheduled to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, this July. Dr. Pham has also been invited to deliver a keynote lecture at the event—an honor reserved for researchers with exceptional contributions to the field.
Dr. Pham’s research focuses on the application of FRP materials in modern concrete structures, with two primary directions: the development of FRP tendons for precast concrete beams aimed at advancing bridge construction technology and replacing traditional materials; and the use of FRP bolts in beam-column connections to enhance structural strength, corrosion resistance, and post-impact or seismic resilience. “Steel in concrete and traditional bolts are prone to corrosion over time. My research explores replacing them with non-metallic FRP materials to improve durability and performance in harsh environments,” he explained.
This research project spans over a decade, from initial concept development, experimentation, and simulation to the formulation of practical design recommendations for engineers. Dr. Pham emphasises that enhancing structural resilience requires not only advanced materials but also a fundamental shift in design thinking and structural application.
He attributes this achievement to the collaboration and contributions of his doctoral students, colleagues, and mentors throughout his academic journey. According to data published by Stanford University and Elsevier, Dr. Pham has consistently ranked among the top 2% of the most-cited scientists globally since 2020.
The IIFC is the only international professional organisation dedicated to the use of fiber-reinforced composite materials in structural and civil infrastructure, with members from over 40 countries across six continents. The Young Researcher Award, established in 2006 and awarded biennially, recognises outstanding researchers under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in FRP research in construction. To date, only eight individuals have received this honor, including leading scholars such as Scott T. Smith, Laura De Lorenzis, Luke Bisby, and Tao Yu.
According to the academic database ScholarGPS, there are over 13,320 active researchers in the FRP field worldwide. The selection process consists of two rounds: dossier evaluation and interview. Applications require nomination by three distinguished scholars, a detailed academic curriculum vitae, a portfolio of ten selected publications with analyses, and documented contributions to the IIFC community. Dr. Pham’s nomination was supported by Professor Muhammad Hadi (University of Wollongong), Professor Tao Yu (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), and Professor Riadh Al-Mahaidi (Swinburne University of Technology). He subsequently underwent a rigorous interview process with faculty members from Canada, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and Portugal.
In addition to his academic role at the University of South Australia, Dr. Pham is an active professional member of the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA), reflecting the broader contribution of Vietnamese scholars to the global research community.
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