Bich-Yen Nguyen, a Vietnamese electronics engineer, has made significant contributions to the field of advanced materials and technologies for integrated circuits. Born into a humble background, Nguyen’s life journey is a tale of determination, resilience, and impactful innovations.
Nguyen’s story begins with her upbringing in South Vietnam. As the daughter of a soldier who unfortunately passed away when she was young, her family faced financial hardships. However, despite the challenges, her mother recognized the importance of education and managed to send Nguyen to a boarding school. Later on, she had the opportunity to pursue her higher education at the prestigious University of Texas at Austin in the United States.
In 1975, the Fall of Saigon occurred, causing Nguyen’s family to become refugees. Despite the upheaval, Nguyen didn’t let these circumstances deter her. She took on the responsibility of helping her family resettle in the US while continuing her studies. In 1977, she successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Following her graduation, Nguyen embarked on her professional journey, starting with a brief stint at the city of Austin, Texas. However, it was at Motorola where she truly flourished. Joining the company in 1980, she played a vital role in numerous technological advancements. One of her notable contributions was the development of the multiple-independent-gate field-effect transistor (MIGFET), a breakthrough that pushed the boundaries of electronic devices. Additionally, she also contributed to the advancement of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, further cementing her expertise in the field.
Nguyen’s remarkable expertise and contributions led to her rise within Motorola. As the head of advanced transistor development activities at the Motorola spinoff, Freescale Semiconductor, she actively participated in the Crolles Alliance. This international collaboration on CMOS spanned from 2002 to 2007 and showcased Nguyen’s ability to collaborate and drive innovation forward.
In 2007, Nguyen joined Soitec, a France-based company specializing in silicon on insulator technology, as a substrate design engineer. Her transition to Soitec marked a new chapter in her career, allowing her to further explore her passion for advanced materials and technologies. Her role at Soitec as a senior fellow has allowed her to continue making substantial contributions to the field.
Throughout her career, Nguyen has earned recognition for her exceptional work. While at Motorola, she was honored as a Motorola Distinguished Innovator and Dan Noble Fellow. In 2004, she was also recognized as one of the winners of the Women of Color Technology Awards, highlighting her pioneering achievements as a woman in the male-dominated field of engineering.
In 2020, Nguyen’s contributions were acknowledged once again as she was named an IEEE Fellow. This prestigious title was bestowed upon her in recognition of her significant contributions to silicon on insulator technology. Her expertise and innovations in this area have undoubtedly shaped the field and advanced the development of integrated circuits.
Bich-Yen Nguyen’s journey from a challenging upbringing in Vietnam to becoming an internationally recognized electronics engineer is a testament to her perseverance and passion for innovation. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of advanced materials and technologies for integrated circuits, inspiring future generations of engineers to push boundaries and create transformative technologies.
Awards:
– Motorola Distinguished Innovator and Dan Noble Fellow
– Women of Color Technology Awards (2004)
– Named an IEEE Fellow (2020) for contributions to silicon on insulator technology.