Biography

Tran graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in ACS-certified Chemistry and pure Mathematics (double major).  While working at NIST, he was encouraged to pursue a degree in computer science, leading him to earn an MSCS with ChemE. 

His career includes positions at EA Engineering, Hitman Ebaso Nuclear Inc., Aberdeen Proving Ground, Microbac, and five NASA locations across California, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and Maryland. Later, Tran’s advisor challenged him to obtain a MAT degree, which opened the door to teaching. He went on to teach for 28 years in a specialized program in the DMV, covering chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. He retired from teaching at the beginning of the COVID era but quickly realized that retirement–beyond fishing and golfing–did not suit him.

He returned to work as an analyst for the State of Florida, then later joined the University of Central Florida (UCF). While at UCF, he earned both an MSDF and an MS in Cybersecurity, tuition-free.

Tran has traveled to more than 15 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.