Mr. An Dai Tran | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Mr. An Dai Tran, Walailak University, Vietnam

Dr. An Dai Tran is a dedicated medical doctor and emerging public health researcher from Vietnam, currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Walailak University, Thailand. He works at the CDC Dong Thap, focusing on vaccination programs and infectious disease control, including dengue fever, COVID-19, and measles. With several years of hands-on experience in clinical trials and epidemiological research, Dr. Tran has made significant contributions to community health. His published work on vaccination adherence among minority groups in Vietnam has had real-world impact on public health campaigns. Additionally, he has co-developed innovative tools for behavioral science and contributed to machine learning applications in mental health. Collaborating with global institutions such as the University of Queensland and the Pasteur Institute, Dr. Tran’s work reflects a commitment to translational research, public health equity, and data-driven health interventions. His profile is marked by scientific rigor, international collaboration, and service to underserved populations.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Interdisciplinary Research Excellence
   Dr. Tran’s research spans infectious diseases, vaccination behavior, and digital mental health—demonstrating versatility and innovation in addressing modern public health challenges.

2. Practical and Policy-Relevant Impact
   His work on vaccination adherence in minority communities has real-world implications for national health policy and outreach programs, especially in underserved populations.

3. Strong Clinical Trial Experience
   He has held critical roles in major vaccine trials (COVID-19 and hand-foot-mouth disease), showing competence in trial design, blinding, and coordination—essential for translational health research.

4. Collaborative Global Network
   Dr. Tran has established collaborations with renowned institutions such as the University of Queensland and the Pasteur Institute, boosting the credibility and scalability of his research.

5. Innovation in Mental Health Analytics
   His application of AI and machine learning to post-COVID mental health challenges shows forward-thinking research methodology with future potential.

6. Published and Cited
   With publications in peer-reviewed journals like Jornal de Pediatria and Journal of Human, Earth, and Future, and a growing citation index, he is building a solid academic foundation.

🛠️ Areas for Improvement:

1. Broader Indexing and Citations
   While promising, most of his current publications are in emerging or interdisciplinary journals. Publishing in higher-impact, SCI-indexed journals could enhance academic visibility.

2. Editorial and Peer Review Roles
   Taking on editorial appointments or peer-review duties would strengthen his professional profile and leadership in research.

3. Mentorship and Teaching Contribution
   Engaging in formal mentorship or academic teaching roles would reflect his potential as a knowledge disseminator and academic influencer.

4. Expanded Public Health Policy Impact
   Future work that integrates direct contributions to policy development or national programs would further validate his applied research strengths.

🎓 Education:

Dr. An Dai Tran holds a medical degree and is currently completing a Master’s in Public Health at the School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thailand. He was awarded a full scholarship for his postgraduate studies in recognition of his academic excellence and commitment to public health. His education bridges clinical medicine with population-level health sciences, equipping him with multidisciplinary expertise to tackle emerging global health challenges. At Walailak University, Dr. Tran has deepened his knowledge in epidemiology, biostatistics, global health policy, and digital health technologies. His academic training is complemented by a strong foundation in research methodology and ethics, allowing him to conduct high-impact studies and clinical trials. His exposure to both theoretical and practical facets of public health, along with mentorship from international experts, positions him as a future leader in healthcare innovation, with special focus on vaccine-preventable diseases and mental health research in Southeast Asia.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Tran brings valuable on-ground experience through his work at the CDC Dong Thap in Vietnam, where he has led and supported various national vaccination campaigns and infectious disease monitoring systems. He has been actively involved in both the operational and research aspects of public health interventions. His clinical trial roles include coordinating blinded and double-blinded studies on COVID-19 and hand-foot-mouth vaccines. Notably, he served as a research coordinator in large-scale, placebo-controlled trials with rigorous ethical and methodological frameworks. His consultancy record includes four projects in collaboration with governmental and academic institutions, such as the University of Queensland (E-Dengue Project) and the Pasteur Institute (Vietnam-based vaccine research). Dr. Tran’s experience spans public health research, disease surveillance, behavioral analysis, and machine learning for mental health prediction. His combined roles as physician, coordinator, and academic researcher highlight his versatility, responsibility, and drive for impactful health innovations that reach marginalized communities.

🧠 Research Focus:

Dr. Tran’s research lies at the intersection of infectious diseases, vaccination behavior, and digital mental health. His primary interest is understanding the behavioral and sociocultural factors affecting vaccine uptake, particularly among ethnic minority populations. His first-author publication on this topic has already contributed to improved regional strategies for vaccine delivery. Expanding into digital health, Dr. Tran has co-developed psychological assessment tools and applied machine learning to detect mental health issues in post-COVID patients. His work in computational psychiatry includes Reddit-based community sentiment analysis and comparative modeling for long COVID mental health prediction. By merging AI with public health, he aims to enhance early detection and intervention systems. His approach reflects a holistic vision—bridging clinical practice, community outreach, and technology—with a commitment to healthcare equity. Dr. Tran’s research is not only academically sound but also practically applicable, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for health and well-being.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. 🧬 Parental predictors of childhood vaccination adherence in border areas of Southern Vietnam – Jornal de Pediatria.

2. 🏃‍♂️ Initial Construction of the Exercise Maintenance Motivation Scale: A Mixed Method Study – Journal of Human, Earth, and Future.

3. 🤖 An Analysis of Machine Learning for Detecting Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Recovered COVID-19 Patients – Journal of Human, Earth, and Future.

4. 🧠 Exploring Mental Stress Expressions in Online Communities: A Subreddit Analysis – Journal of Human, Earth, and Future.

5. 🧪 Mental health and long COVID status prediction among recovered COVID-19 patients: A comparison of machine learning methods – Journal of Human, Earth, and Future.

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. An Dai Tran is a highly promising early-career researcher whose interdisciplinary work in public health is both scientifically rigorous and socially impactful. His blend of clinical trial expertise, digital health innovation, and public health behavior research makes him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While there is room to grow in areas like journal prestige and academic leadership, his current trajectory, achievements, and commitment to health equity clearly demonstrate award-worthy excellence.