Faculty & Staff Profiles

Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH

Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Population Health & Leadership

Department of Population Health and Leadership
School of Health Sciences

For the Media

Email Media Relations
Alvin Tran

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

Dr. Alvin Tran is Chair of the Department of Population Health and Leadership and an Associate Professor at the University of New Haven. His research explores the intersection of body image, disordered eating behaviors, food insecurity, health policy, and the health disparities affecting racial and sexual minority populations. He also leads community-engaged research focused on advancing health equity through participatory and action-oriented approaches, including photovoice and other community-based research methods.

At the University, Dr. Tran directs the WeEmbody (WE) Lab, a dynamic research collective of public health professionals and students dedicated to addressing pressing public health challenges through advocacy, research, and community engagement. His projects have addressed barriers to accessing healthy and culturally relevant food, the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in underserved communities, and student-centered strategies to improve campus well-being.

Dr. Tran’s commitment to advancing health equity is evident in his tenure as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he led community engagement initiatives for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). His impactful work has earned him several prestigious accolades, including the Society for Public Health Education's Karen Denard Goldman Health Education Mentor Award, Emory University's Matthew Lee Girvin Award, and recognition as one of Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2020.

Before pursuing his doctoral training in public health, Dr. Tran was a distinguished Health Care Reporter for Kaiser Health News in Washington, D.C., where he covered major national issues such as the Affordable Care Act, palliative care, and medical education. His reporting has been featured in The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and PBS NewsHour.

Dr. Tran’s multifaceted career reflects his dedication to improving public health outcomes through research, mentorship, and policy innovation. As Chair, he also spearheads strategic initiatives and community engagement efforts across the School of Health Sciences.

 

Publications

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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: https://doi.org/10.21149/12499
  11. 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
  12. 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).
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1182263
  16. 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.10.003
  17. 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. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01081-1
  18. Tran, A., Mathew, K., Zhao, Y., Mattie, H. (2024). School-Based Health Centers: Providers’ Perceptions Around Mental Health and Eating Disorders and Potential Areas of Improvement. Journal of School Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405241307849
  19. Tran, A., Kohli, M., Sreenivasan, A. et al. (2025). Supporting students through the COVID-19 pandemic: the perspectives of food pantry workers. BMC Nutr 11, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01009-1
  20. Mendez-Fernandez, Y., Tran, A., Flores-Torres, M., Estrada-Garcia, E., Marie Resto, J. (2025) Mental Health and Access to Resources in a Schoolteacher Population Impacted by Earthquakes and the Pandemic in Puerto Rico. P. R. Health Sci. J 4, 1. https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/3363
  21. Tran, A., Chowdhury, M., Chom, S., Sreenivsan, A. (2025). Six Years of Advocacy: How the WeEmbody Lab Trains Emerging Health Educators to Become Advocates. Health Promot. Pract. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399251335633
  22. Rangachari, P., Tran, A. (2025). Transforming Opioid Overdose Prevention in the United States: Leveraging FDA’s Narcan Approval to Foster a Culture of Health. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S521720
  23. Santella AJ, Tran A, Flores D, Foran L. (2025). Beyond Clean Teeth: The Role of Dentists and Dental Hygienists in Ending the HIV Epidemic. Health Promot Pract. doi:10.1177/15248399251366353
  24. Mathew KA, Zhao Y, Tran A. (2025). Swiping for Connection: Tribe Identity and Sexual Health Among Sexual Minority Men Who Use Dating Apps. Front Commun. doi:10.3389/fcomm.2025.1683130
  25. Tran A, Agyeman E, Batista K, Roberts S. (2025). First Steps, Lasting Impact: Reflections on Faculty-Student Mentorship at SOPHE 2025. Health Promot Pract. doi:10.1177/15248399251388437
  26. Tran A, Mathews A, Mathew KA, Chowdhury M, Otieno M, Méndez-Fernández Y. (2026). Teaching undergraduates using Tracy Kidder’s Rough Sleepers: students’ perceptions of homelessness as a public health issue. BMC Med Educ. doi:10.1186/s12909-026-08597-X
  27. Tran A, Mathew KA, Batista K, Roberts S, Agyeman E. (2026). Steeped in misinformation: Unpacking the health risk and marketing tactics of diet and weight loss teas. Nutrition and Health. doi:10.1177/02601060251415285
  28. Ibeh C, Zhao Y, Tran A. Marijuana use and its association with unhealthy weight control and muscle-enhancing behaviors among sexual minority men in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis. J Cannabis Res 2026;8:398. doi:10.1186/s42238-026-00398-9
  29. Otieno M, Zhao Y, Tran A. Association between marijuana use and erectile dysfunction among sexual minority men: a cross-sectional analysis. J Cannabis Res 2026;8:411. doi:10.1186/s42238-026-00411-1
  30. Noor F, Chalise R, Tran A. Safety and effectiveness of diet and detox teas for weight loss. Front Nutr 2026;13:1777795. doi:10.3389/fnut.2026.1777795
  31. Maindan RU, Chowdhury M, Birmole G, Hill J, Santella A, Tran A. “It’s very difficult to navigate the health care system”: structural barriers and the need for affirming care for LGBTQ+ young adults. BMC Health Serv Res 2026;26:625. doi:10.1186/s12913-026-14432-2
  32. Tran A, Iloegbu T, Darboe M, et al. (2026). Poppers use and sexual health correlates among sexual minority men in the United States. J Community Health. Doi:10.1007/s10900-026-01573-y.

Awards

  • William L. Bucknall Excellence in Teaching Award (2026)
  • Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Well-Being/Wellness Program Award: WeEmbody Lab (2025)
  • School of Health Sciences Special Recognition in Experiential Learning (2025)
  • Society of Behavioral Medicine, Obesity and Eating Disorders Special Interest Group, Distinguished Mentor Award (2025)
  • Society for Public Health Education 21st Century Health Education Practice Scholarship (2025)
  • Susan S. Bartels Advocacy, Leadership, and Service Award (2025)
  • 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 Haven 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)

Related Links School of Health SciencesB.S. in Public HealthMaster of Public Health (MPH)Health Sciences, DHScB.S. in Esport and Digital Game ManagementWeEmbody Lab

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