Quyen is currently director of the Center for Polymers and Organic Solids of the University of California in Santa Barbara county in California. She has been officially recognised for leadership in education and diversity, as well as research in organic photovoltaics for energy-efficient buildings and greenhouses.

Her election comes after winning the World's Most Influential Minds in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

The Vietnamese professor was also named among the Top 1% Highly Cited Researchers in Materials Science by Clarivate Analytics in 2017 and 2018.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) recently elected a total of 106 new members and 18 international members, thereby bringing the total US membership up to 2,420 and the number of international members to 319.

Election to the National Academy of Engineering is considered to be among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature". In addition, it serves to value "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education".

Election of new NAE members is the culmination of a year-long process, with the ballot set in December and the final vote occurring in January.

Individuals to the newly-elected class will be formally inducted during the NAE's annual meeting on October 1.

Source: VOV