Minh Tran is a Vietnamese materials scientist and nanotechnologist who received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He has held research and teaching positions in the US, UAE, and Vietnam, focusing his work on the synthesis and characterization of nanostructures for applications in sensing, energy, and the environment. Tran maintains an active research program and collaborations while teaching courses in materials science and engineering.

1. Minh H. Tran, Ph.D.
Nationality: Vietnamese
Current Address: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 76 419-8913 | mhtran.sci.eng@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/minhtranmsephd/
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EDUCATION
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA 2017
Concentration in Materials Science and Engineering
Dissertation Title: Precise Control over Morphology and Density of Metal and Transition
Metal Nanostructures for Sensing and Energy Related Applications
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA 2012
Thesis Title: Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Pt3Ni and Hollow Ni2P Nanoparticles for
Alternative Energy Applications
B.S. Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo, Geneseo, New York, USA
2010
Secondary Major: Mathematics
Minor: Physics
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Lecturer, Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology –
Vietnam National University (HCMUT - VNU) 2020-present
 Manage a laboratory for nanomaterials research on sensing, environment, nanocoating and
renewable energy
 Supervise undergraduate students on scientific research
 Collaborate with research laboratories within the University
Research Associate, Materials Science & Engineering Research Institute, American University
of Sharjah (AUS) 2019
 Helped to execute ongoing research projects and establish new ones
 Collaborated with faculty and researchers from American University of Sharjah colleges & research
institutes
 Produced research outcomes of basic and applied impact
 Operated and maintained equipment and instruments in the Institute
 Research projects included materials for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, thin film
deposition by thermal evaporation, and investigating electrical conduction and magnetic properties
of materials
Short-Term Remote Researcher, Saltlux, Inc. 2018-2019
 Read journal papers about nanocatalysts for direct syntheses of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia
 Extracted catalyst synthesis methods and conditions, catalyst characterization data, and catalytic
performance data
 Classified and organized data as excel files for processing
Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISU 2015-2018

2. Minh Tran (+84 76 419-8913)
mhtran.sci.eng@gmail.com
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 Synthesized metallic nanoparticles as colloidal suspension and deposited metallic nanostructures
with improved control of morphology, size, and density on various substrates by electroless and
electrodeposition methods
 Characterized and evaluated nanomaterials for sensing and energy applications
 Planned, executed, and led the development of dissertation advisor’s start-up lab
 Set up lab  Identified basic equipment and supplies needs
 Proposed and proceeded with purchase  Oversaw safety and cleanliness
 Maintained supportive environment for new lab members by assisting them with instrument
operations, lab logistics, and research projects
 Collaborated effectively with two other research groups leading to publications
Research Assistant, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College 2012-2014
 Designed a high-temperature, constant-stress creep test machine for laves phase strengthened
austenitic steels for coal-fired power stations
 Designed and fabricated a tetrapolar sensing biopsy needle for prostate cancer detection
Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester 2010-2012
 Synthesized and characterized morphology-controlled hollow Ni2P nanoparticles via chemical
reduction and Pt3Ni nanoparticles via microfluidics constructed from a syringe pump, a syringe, and
a helically twisted stainless steel needle immersed in a heated oil bath
 Performed experiments in air-free environment using Schlenk line and glove box
 Assembled Pt3Ni nanoparticles on hollow Ni2P nanoparticles using surface treatment and dispersion
techniques as potential electrocatalysts for the cathode of PEM fuel cell
 Measured electrocatalytic surface area and mass activity
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Lecturer, Faculty of Materials Technology, HCMUT - VNU 2021-present
 Teach general and core courses to students of the Faculty of Materials Technology
Mathematics Teacher, MSA Education 2020-present
 Teach Mathematics in English to secondary school students to prepare them for the IGCSE exam
Mentor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISU 2015-2017
 Mentored two undergraduate researchers on morphology-controlled synthesis of Au nanoparticles
for solar cell application that led to one publication
 Mentored an undergraduate researcher on the synthesis and deposition of morphology-controlled
Au nanoparticles on ZnO substrate for glucose sensing
 Mentored a graduate student by responding to academic inquiries as well as discussing about
graduate student’s life, career goals, and university resources
Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISU 2015-2016
 Instructed three sections of Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, in collaboration with a few
undergraduate teaching assistants, while being the only person in charge of grading all three
sections
 Assisted the instructor to teach Engineering Thermodynamics I, including homework help, lecture
and exam reviews, proctoring exams, and grading

3. Minh Tran (+84 76 419-8913)
mhtran.sci.eng@gmail.com
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Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, ISU 2014
 Instructed independently one section of General Chemistry I Laboratory, including lecturing,
supervising laboratory activities, grading, and proctoring exams
 Assisted the instructor with General Chemistry I Lecture, which included grading, proctoring
exams, and teaching a recitation section independently
Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester 2011
 Assisted the instructor to teach Chemistry of Advanced Materials, including homework help, lecture
and exam reviews, proctoring exams, and grading
SKILLS
Research: Operational experience
 Scanning electron microscope (SEM)  Optical microscope  UV-Vis spectrometer
 Transmission electron microscope (TEM)  Gas chromatograph (GC)  Spin coater
 Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS)  Gas sorption BET  Impedance analyzer
 Thin film measuring system  Optical profilometer  Hardness testers
 Plasma cleaner / sputter coater  Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
 Atomic force microscope (AFM)  X-ray diffractometer (XRD)
 Thermal evaporation system  Tube/box furnace
Training / Analysis experience
 Raman spectrometer
Software:  Origin  EndNote  Adobe Photoshop  ChemDraw
 Matlab  Mathcad  ImageJ  Microsoft Office  DataThief
 AutoCAD
Language: Fluent in Vietnamese and English
LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
 Invited Peer Reviewer, South East Asian Technical University Consortium Symposia 2021-present
 Invited Peer Reviewer, Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, Tamkang University (IF =
0.364) 2020
 Invited Peer Reviewer, MRS Advances Journal, Materials Research Society 2016-2017
 Elected Representative, Thayer School of Engineering, Graduate Student Council, Dartmouth
College 2012-2013
CURRENT PROJECTS
1. Facile fabrication of hybrid graphene oxide-Ag NPs on cotton swab for a versatile and recyclable
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrate
2. Solvent-Free Method to Synthesize Nanozeolites from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes
3. Facile and Cost-Effective Fabrication of Water Filtration Kit from Nanozeolites

4. Minh Tran (+84 76 419-8913)
mhtran.sci.eng@gmail.com
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4. Fabrication and Investigation of the Nanostructures of Au on Cu and Al Foils by Electrodeposition
for Sensing Applications
COURSES TAUGHT
 Surface Treatment Technology for Metals and Alloys
 Inorganic Chemistry
 Physical Metallurgy and Heat Treatment Laboratory
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
1. Tran, M.; Lan, T.; Padalkar, S., Preparation and Characterization of Cobalt and Nickel
Nanostructures on Silicon Substrate for Hydrogen Generation. In Preparation
2. Tran, K.; Le, L.; Le, T.; Tran, M.; Vuong, D.; Tran, X.; Mai, P., Effects of pH on the Structure and
Optical Property of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanocrystals Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method.
Submitted.
3. Tran, M.; Shi, M.; Du, Q.; Yang, H., Effects of surface ligands on the formation of spherical
hollow nickel phosphide nanoparticles and their self-assemblies. Vietnam J. Sci. Technol. 2022, 59
(6A), 92-104. DOI: 10.15625/2525-2518/16380
4. Nguyen, T.; Ishikawa, K.; Tran, M.; Benson, D.; Tsuru, K., Characterization of carbonate apatite
derived from chicken bone and its in-vitro evaluation using MC3T3-E1 cells. Mater. Res. Express
2021, 8 (2), 025401. DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/abe018
5. Tran, M.; Roy, S.; Kmiec, S.; Whale, A.; Martin, S.; Sundararajan, S.; Padalkar, S., Formation of
Size and Density Controlled Nanostructures by Galvanic Displacement. Nanomaterials 2020, 10
(4), 644. DOI: 10.3390/nano10040644
6. Tran, M.; Fallatah, A.; Whale, A.; Padalkar, S., Utilization of Inexpensive Carbon-Based
Substrates as Platforms for Sensing. Sensors 2018, 18 (8), 2444. DOI: 10.3390/s18082444
7. Tran, M.; Whale, A.; Padalkar, S., Exploring the Efficacy of Platinum & Palladium Nanostructures
for Organic Molecule Detection via Raman Spectroscopy. Sensors 2018, 18 (1), 147. DOI:
10.3390/s18010147
8. Tran, M.; Mundt, C.; Lan, T.; Padalkar, S., Electrodeposition of Gold Nanostructures Having
Controlled Morphology. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 2018, 18 (5), 3492-3498. DOI:
10.1166/jnn.2018.14633
9. Lan, T.; Mundt, C.; Tran, M.; Padalkar, S., Effect of Gold Underlayer on Copper(I) Oxide
Photocathode Performance. J. Mater. Res. 2017, 32 (9), 1656-1664. DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2017.130
10. Tran, M.; DePenning, R.; Turner, M.; Padalkar, S., Effect of Citrate Ratio and Temperature on
Gold Nanoparticle Size and Morphology. Mater. Res. Express 2016, 3 (10), 1-10. DOI:
10.1088/2053-1591/3/10/105027
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
1. Tran, M.; Shi, M., Du, Q.; Yang, H., Effects of surface ligands on the formation of spherical
hollow nickel phosphide nanoparticles and their self-assemblies. Oral session presented at: 2021

5. Minh Tran (+84 76 419-8913)
mhtran.sci.eng@gmail.com
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International Symposium on Materials Science and Engineering; 2022 Apr 12: Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam
2. Tran, M., Metallic Thin Film Deposition for Sensing Applications. Poster session presented at:
AUS Second, Third, and Fourth International Workshops; 2019 Feb 19-20, Mar 10-11, Apr 27-28:
Sharjah, UAE
3. Tran, M.; Padalkar, S., Deposition of Metal and Transition Metal Nanostructures by Galvanic
Displacement with Limited Hydrofluoric Acid. Poster session presented at: 2017 Spring Meeting
and Exhibit of the Materials Research Society; 2017 Apr 17-21: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
4. Tran, M.; Padalkar, S., Precise Control over Morphology and Density of Metal and Transition
Metal Nanostructures for Sensing and Energy Related Applications. Three-minute thesis presented
at: 2017 Graduate and Professional Students’ Research Conference; 2017 Apr 12: Ames, Iowa,
USA
5. Tran, M.; Fallatah, A.; Padalkar, S., Size and Density Controlled Gold and Copper-Based
Nanostructures by Galvanic Displacement with Limited Hydrofluoric Acid for Sensing
Applications. Poster session presented at: 2016 Fall Meeting and Exhibit of the Materials Research
Society; 2016 Nov 27-Dec 2: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
6. Tran, M.; DePenning, R.; Turner, M.; Padalkar, S., Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Citrate
Method to Improve Light Absorption in Photoelectrodes. Poster session presented at: 2016 Fall
Meeting and Exhibit of the Materials Research Society; 2016 Nov 27-Dec 2: Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
 Vietnam National University Research Grant, Type C 2022
 The Murata Science Foundation Research Grant 2021
 William Catron Fellowship, ISU 2016
 Professional Advancement Grant, ISU 2016
HONORS & AWARDS
 Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Chemistry Honor Society, SUNY Geneseo 2009
 The National Scholars Honor Society, SUNY Geneseo 2006
 Full-Tuition Scholarship, The Cooper Union 2006
 Phi Eta Sigma, National Honor Society for Outstanding First Year Students, SUNY Geneseo 2005
 International Student Scholarship, SUNY Geneseo 2004