Dr. Hoang Minh Trang, a lecturer in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at VNU-University of Science, will embark on an exciting journey as a visiting scholar at Indiana University under the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform’s Visiting Scholar Program. With a background in the application of chemical processes for wastewater and solid waste treatment and health risk assessment associated with supplied water use, Dr. Trang is well-prepared for this academic endeavor.
Starting in September 2024, Dr. Trang will spend two months at Indiana University, where she will continue her pivotal research on assessing human health risks associated with supplied water use in suburban areas of Hanoi, Vietnam. Recognizing the pressing need for clean water access in these regions, Dr. Trang’s research focuses on analyzing and assessing human health risks from exposure to arsenic and other pollutants in domestic water sources and finding technical solutions to minimize people’s exposure. Her methodology involves secondary data analysis, qualitative review, and health risk assessment using water samples from rural households.
The findings of this study will raise awareness about the negative effects of contaminated drinking water and contribute to the overall health and economy of the affected populations. “As a young scientist, I always hope that science will be applied for purposes related to the sustainable development of the community” – Dr. Trang shared.
During her term at Indiana University, Dr. Trang will attend classes and seminars to enhance her research and teaching capacity, particularly learning about the blended learning method. She plans to collaborate with faculty members, participate in workshops and seminars, and observe blended learning classes to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge. Dr. Trang expects to submit at least one manuscript to major international conferences and prestigious journals within a month after her exchange term ends.
Dr. Trang’s participation in the Visiting Scholar Program is expected to provide her with advanced, comprehensive perspectives on the research field through discussions, seminars, and lectures by professors at Indiana University so that she can get closer to her scientific goals.
The Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) under the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project supports scholars from (1) Vietnam National University, (2) the University of Danang, and (3) Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City. The goal is to improve the research and teaching capacity of scholars across Vietnam while expanding partnerships with higher education institutions in the United States. In the Summer and Fall of 2024, the VSP will send a total of 21 scholars from Vietnam’s three major public university systems to host institutions in the United States for academic research and exchange experiences.