Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH

Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Population Health & Leadership

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

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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  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.
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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:
  13. 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
  14. 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).
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
Awards
  • 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)

News and In the Media

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.

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.

The 鶹ý 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 Haven 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.