In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, comments on the joys of celebrating AAPI Heritage month.
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH
Department of Population Health and Leadership
School of Health Sciences
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University
Sc.D., Public Health Nutrition, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University
MPH, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University
B.A., Medical Anthropology and Global Health, University of Washington
B.S., Public Health, with Distinction, University of Washington
About Alvin
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health and Leadership. His research focuses on the intersection of body image, disordered eating behaviors, health policy, and racial and sexual minority health. At the University of New 51, Dr. Tran leads the , which is a research working group of public health professionals and students. He also directs the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Student Ambassadors program.
Dr. Tran is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders and currently serves as a co-chair for the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. He is an advocate for the prevention of eating disorders and was the 2018 recipient of the SPARK Impact Award for Activism and Issue Advocacy by the City of Boston.
Prior to pursuing his doctoral training in public health, Dr. Tran was a Health Care Reporter for Kaiser Health News (KHN) in Washington, D.C. At KHN, he covered a variety of health topics, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, palliative care, and medical education and training. Dr. Tran’s work appeared in The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and PBS NewsHour.
Publications
- Tran A, Gelaye B, Girma B, Lemma S, Berhane Y, Bekele T, et al. Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Working Adults in Ethiopia. Int J Hypertens 2011;2011:193719.
- Lemieux AF, Nehl EJ, Lin L, Tran A, Yu F, Wong FY. A pilot study examining depressive symptoms, Internet use, and sexual risk behaviour among Asian men who have sex with men. Public Health 2013;127(11):1041-4.
- Yu F, Nehl EJ, Zheng T, He N, Berg CJ, Lemieux AF, Tran A, et al. A syndemic including cigarette smoking and sexual risk behaviors among a sample of MSM in Shanghai, China. Drug Alcohol Depend 2013;132(1-2):265-70.
- Tran A, Nehl EJ, Sales J, Berg CJ. Problem Drinking Behaviors: Differential Effects of Stress and School Type on College Students. Open J Prev Med 2014;4(4):216-221.
- Tran A, Lin L, Nehl EJ, Talley CL, Dunkle KL, Wong FY. Prevalence of Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence in a Sample of A/PI MSM. J Interpers Violence 2014;29(11):2054-2067.
- Kossover RA, Chi CJ, Wise ME, Tran A, Chande ND, Perz JF. Infection prevention and control standards in assisted living facilities: are residents' needs being met? J Am Med Dir Assoc 2014;15(1):47-53.
- Lin L, Nehl EJ, Tran A, He N, Zheng T, Wong FY. Sexually transmitted infection testing practices among 'money boys' and general men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China: objective versus self-reported status. Sex Health 2014;11(1):94-6.
- Criss S, Tran A, Ganter C, Aftosmes-Tobio A, Gortmaker S, Viswanath K, et al. A Cascade of Champions: A Qualitative Study about the MA-CORD Media Competition Implementation. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(4):404.
- Bowling AB, Moretti M, Ringelheim K, Tran A, Davison K. Healthy Foods, Healthy Families: combining incentives and exposure interventions at urban farmers' markets to improve nutrition among recipients of US federal food assistance. Health Promot Perspect 2016;6(1):10-6.
- Austin SB, Yu K, Tran A, Mayer B. Research-to-policy translation for prevention of disordered weight and shape control behaviors: A case example targeting dietary supplements sold for weight loss and muscle building. Eat Behav 2017;25:9-14.
- Tran, A., Suharlim, C., Mattie, H., Davison, K., Agénor, M., & Austin, S. B. (2019). Dating app use and unhealthy weight control behaviors among a sample of U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study. [journal article]. Journal of eating disorders, 7(1), 16. doi: 10.1186/s40337-019-0244-4
- Tran, A., Moran, A., & Bleich, S. N. (2019). Calorie changes among food items sold in U.S. convenience stores and pizza restaurant chains from 2013 to 2017. Preventive Medicine Reports,15(C), 100932. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100932
- Tran A., Kaplan K, Austin SB, Davison K, Lopez G, & Agénor M. (2020). “It’s all outward appearance-based attractions:” A qualitative study of body image among a sample of young gay and bisexual men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health. doi: 10.1080/19359705.2019.1706683
- Tran A., Smallidge M, Cadavos B, Tran V, Mattie H. (2020). Unhealthy weight control behaviors among a sample of U.S. journalists. Int J Eat Disord. 2020;16. doi: 10.1002/eat.23388
- Tran A., Kerkstra RL, Gardocki SL, Papuga SC. (2021). Lessons Learned: Teaching In-Person During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front. Educ. 6:690646. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.690646
- Flores-Torres M, Tran A., Familiar I, Lopez-Ridaura R, Ortiz-Panozo E. (2021). Perceived Stress Scale: A tool to explore psychological stress in Mexican women. Salud Publica Mex. DOI:
- Tran A., Birk N, Skalaban T, Chom S. (2022). Association between perceived discrimination and food insecurity among sexual minority men. Nutr. Health. doi: 10.1177/02601060221080242
- Helms J, Tran A, Carnes N, Nehl E. (2022) Barriers to HIV Related Services Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Rural Georgia. jGPHA - GPHA. 8(3).
- Fernandes, C.S.F., Deng, Y., Tran, A.H., Hieftje, K.D., Pendergrass Boomer, T.M., Taylor, C.K., & Fiellin, L.E. (2022). A pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate a cognitive behavioral videogame intervention: empowerED. Games Health J.
- Tran, A., Darboe, M., Goyal, A. etal. (2023). Association between dating app use and unhealthy weight control behaviors and muscle enhancing behaviors in sexual minority men: a cross-sectional study. BMCPublicHealth 23, 838.
- Rustagi, K., JadKarim, L., Birk, N., & Tran, A. (2023). Discrimination and intimate partner violence among a sample of bisexual and gay men in the United States: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1182263.
- Salvia, M. G., Mattie, H., & Tran, A. (2023). Noticing and Responding to Calorie Labels on Restaurant Menus: Patterns in Sexual Minority Men. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, S074937972300404X.
- Zhao, Y., Tran, A., & Mattie, H. (2024). Unhealthy weight control behaviors and health risk behaviors in American youth: A repeated cross-sectional study. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1), 118.
Awards
Karen Denard Goldman Health Education Mentor Award (2023)
Rollins School of Public Health Matthew Lee Girvin Award (2022)
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Research, Award Recipient (2022)
Emory University’s 40 Under 40, Honoree (2022)
Proclamation of Appreciation, Honoree (2021)
University of New 51 Last Lecturer (2021)
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Teaching, Award Recipient (2020)
Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40: Class of 2020, Honoree (2020)
Academy for Eating Disorders Early Career Travel Fellowship, Award Recipient (2018)
Mayor Marty Walsh and City of Boston Activism and Issue Advocacy Award (2018)
Harvard University 75th Annual Nutrition Symposium, Best Research Poster Award Recipient (2017)
The Fenway Institute, Summer Institute in LGBT Population Health Fellowship Recipient (2015)
University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Center, Activism Award Recipient (2010)
News and In the Media
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, director of the B.S. in Public Health program, and interim director of the Master of Public Health program, says there should be caution when commenting on someone’s physical appearance, especially their weight.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, director of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Program, and interim director of the Master of Public Health Program, comments on the potential risk factors or signs that someone may have an eating disorder.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and director of the Master of Public Health program, is one of the editors reviewing submissions to expand research about eating disorders.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor and interim director of the Master of Public Health program, discusses some of the protocols while making travel arrangements.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the need to take COVID-19 and the Delta variant seriously and get vaccinated.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, associate professor of public health, comments on the effectiveness of peer-to-peer programs treating teens and getting help for difficult situations.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that employers should incentivize workers to get the vaccine.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on how brand name pharmacies are lending their name for recognition and trust to administer the COVID vaccine.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that the national chains bring brand recognition and can use their apps to schedule vaccine appointments.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, will be part of a suicide prevention policy summit with James Maroney, state senator, on January 22, 2021.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, says that attendees not being encouraged to wear masks are taking a gamble participating.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, advises to assess who you are staying with if traveling for the holidays.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the safety from the virus while dining in these structures.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on a pattern happening here similar to Europe.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on staying vigilant throughout your airline trip.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on public safety measure being the best prevention to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that public health measures need to stay in place.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the accuracy of rapid test results versus PCR-tests.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that symptoms of COVID-19 may not appear for two to fourteen days after exposure.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on where you are staying for the holidays, with family or friends, could be a risk factor.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the responsibility for travelers to sanitize their hotel room.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the need to wear a face mask when traveling by air.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on using Uber or Lyft during the pandemic.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the importance of social distancing in public places.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the challenges for dating and body image amid the coronavirus.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments youth are still at risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the importance of following protocols to enjoy the fall outdoor activities.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and assistant provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, talks about how BMI is having an impact on COVID-19 patients.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and assistant provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, comments on the effectiveness of ozonated water in the home.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and assistant provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, comments on how the outbreak is affecting eating disorders and obesity rates.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and assistant provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, comments that younger adults contracting the coronavirus does not mean there is no risk.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health and Summer Johnson McGee, dean of the School of Health Sciences, comment on expediting the process of a vaccine.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the importance of contact tracing, testing and messaging to avoid an outbreak.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that while Connecticut has a lower number of coronavirus cases, there is still the risk of reoccurrence without precautions.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the need to research the transmission of the coronavirus on surfaces.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the ethics of how quickly major sports teams are able to get results from COVID-19 testing.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the importance of wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, wrote an op-ed about the significant health problems that those with eating disorders are having in the United States.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, talks about how to vet information about COVID-19.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments that people need to continue to wear masks, social distance and wash their hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on the proper way to wear and store a face mask.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, comments on parents and students monitoring the COVID response plans for their college or university.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, on the importance of annual physical exams for children.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, talks about the need to continue to guard against the pandemic.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of public health, talks about the mixed messaging from public health officials causing confusion.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of health administration and policy, comments that children are safer wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor health administration and policy, comments on the strict protocols for professional basketball to start amid the pandemic.
In the Media
Alvin Tran, assistant professor of health administration and policy, comments on the implications of the pandemic’s effects on children’s nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.
University News
Health Sciences Professor Among Connecticut Magazine's 2020 Class of Influential Up-and-Comers
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, an assistant professor of health administration and policy, was recognized as part of Connecticut Magazine's latest 40 Under 40 group. It is the second year in a row that the School of Health Sciences has been represented on this influential list.
The Charger Blog
Students Reflect on Impact of University’s Suicide Prevention Policy Summit
Hosted by the School of Health Sciences and WeEmbodyLab, the University’s public health research group, the Suicide Prevention Policy Summit brought together the University community, local lawmakers, and medical professionals to discuss suicide prevention strategies.
University News
Health Sciences Professor Awarded Grant to Launch New Fellowship Program
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, an assistant professor in the University of New 51’s Department of Population Health and Leadership, is creating the Health Equity and Advocacy Fellowship to support research efforts around mental health care.
The Charger Blog
Health Administration and Policy Professor Endeavors to Start Statewide Conversation about Suicide Prevention
Moved by the devastating impact that suicide had on the life of one of his students, Alvin Tran, Ph.D. is urging public health officials and lawmakers to address what he calls a “preventable public health problem,” as suicide rates among young people continue to increase across the country.
The Charger Blog
New Professor to Launch School of Health Sciences Research Group
Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, who will begin teaching at the University of New 51 this fall, is a former health reporter whose research focuses on body image, disordered eating behaviors, and health policy – issues that will be the focus of one of the University’s newest initiatives.
Men and women who use dating apps may be at increased risk of controlling their weight in unhealthy ways, a study suggests.
People who use dating apps are more likely to have eating disorders, abuse laxatives or use other unhealthy weight management practices than people who don’t date online, Harvard researchers found in a new study published Friday in the Journal of Eating Disorders.
Alvin Tran, SD ’18 was the winner of a SPARK Impact Award under the Activism and Issue Advocacy category.