Hanoi Meeting.
January 17-20, 2025
Hotel du Parc Hanoi, Vietnam
Asian Chemical Biology Initiative 2025 Hanoi Meeting
In January 2025, the ACBI 2025 Hanoi Meeting was held at Hotel du Parc Hanoi, Vietnam. The event brought together 40 PI-level chemical biology professionals from across Asia and beyond, including 14 ACBI members from Japan, 8 from Korea, 6 from China, 2 from India, and 1 from Singapore. Five leading faculty members from Vietnam, representing institutions such as VNU University of Science and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, also joined the event. Notably, four researchers from Israel participated in the event and actively engaged in discussions and networking with ACBI members.
Marking our return to Hanoi 13 years after ACBI’s kick-off meeting held in February 2012, Professor Motonari Uesugi, the Chief Organizer of ACBI, opened the 2025 Hanoi Meeting by expressing gratitude for everyone’s unwavering support of ACBI and welcoming both returning participants and new faces to the network. He reiterated ACBI’s core missions: accelerating international collaborations among ACBI members and fostering the next generation of chemical biologists in the region through joint efforts and by sharing resources.
Scientific Sessions
During the closed-door Scientific Sessions, ACBI members and guest speakers from Israel gave 12-minute presentations on their unpublished research, as well as updates on ongoing joint research projects. Discussion was rich and continued beyond the sessions - through coffee breaks, shared meals, and informal conversations. Invited Vietnamese researchers gave short 5-minute overviews of their institutions and research programs, leading to constructive dialogue about future collaboration between Vietnam and ACBI labs. The presence of four scientists from Israel - attending for the first time - brought a fresh dimension to the meeting, reflecting ACBI’s openness to geographic expansion and its role as a hub for regional research exchange.
One key difference from the 2012 Hanoi meeting was the increased interaction across national boundaries. While participants in 2012 often stayed within country groups due to language and familiarity barriers, the 2025 meeting showcased true international exchange, with researchers actively engaging across cultures and disciplines. This shift demonstrated the growth, maturity, and resilience of the ACBI network.
Tutorials
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Student Interviews
On the afternoon of January 19, the meeting shifted focus to supporting the next generation of researchers with the ACBI 2025 Hanoi Tutorial and Interview event. Out of 51 applicants, 39 Vietnamese students were selected and invited to participate in the half-day event. Their academic backgrounds included chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. Many were undergraduates, fresh graduates, or enrolled in Master’s programs.
The session began with a Tutorial Lecture Series, where five ACBI researchers delivered 10-minute mini-lectures introducing the fundamentals of chemical biology and its applications in academia and industry. Students listened attentively and responded with enthusiasm.
This was followed by one-on-one Interview Sessions, where students had the opportunity to discuss their backgrounds, research interests, and study-abroad goals directly with ACBI members. Many of the students demonstrated strong English fluency, as well as clear ambitions for international graduate studies. Compared to 2012, there was a notable increase in student confidence, global awareness, and diversity of study-abroad targets - not limited to English-speaking countries. Their CVs often included leadership experience and academic awards, highlighting the depth of talent in Vietnam.
The event provided students with both academic inspiration and meaningful personal exchanges. Here are some reflections from the students (responses lightly edited for grammar and clarity.)
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“Lunchtime with ACBI professors was a great opportunity to connect—not just through science, but through cultural exchange that helped break the ice.”
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“The Tutorial Session opened my eyes to how chemical biology can use small molecules to explore complex biological systems.”
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“Talking with professors during interviews helped me reflect on my research goals and gather useful feedback for graduate studies.”
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“Before ACBI, I focused only on organic synthesis. Now, I’ve discovered new interests in chemical biology and feel more prepared for future studies.”
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“Attending the event helped clarify my interest in chemical biology and made me think more deeply about where and how I want to pursue graduate study.”
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“The event boosted my confidence in speaking with professors and showed me how to approach academic conversations more naturally.”
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“I’m now more motivated to study abroad, and I’ve gained a clearer sense of the research environment where I can thrive.”
These reflections demonstrate how the ACBI 2025 experience inspired students to refine their academic focus, develop confidence in research communication, and broaden their international outlook.
Returning to Hanoi: A Symbolic and Strategic Choice
Returning to Hanoi after 13 years was both symbolic and strategic. The first-ever ACBI student event took place in Hanoi in 2012, laying the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of ACBI’s mission: discovering and supporting promising students in Asia through direct engagement. The 2025 meeting honored those beginnings while showcasing the network’s evolution—from regional experiment to a mature, connected, and collaborative community.
The 2025 Hanoi Meeting reaffirmed ACBI’s commitment to open dialogue, shared resources, and nurturing the next generation of researchers. It also strengthened ties with Vietnam, reaffirmed regional collaboration, and opened the door to new participation from countries like Israel. Across both the Scientific Session and the student-focused program, the meeting achieved its goal of promoting research excellence and inclusive, international community-building in chemical biology.
