The most handsome and youngest associate professor in Vietnam.

At 32 years old, Tran Xuan Bach, a lecturer at Hanoi Medical University, has become an associate professor. Prior to that, he was appointed as an adjunct associate professor by Johns Hopkins University (USA) - a world-leading university in public health - to teach and supervise doctoral students.

Among the 638 teachersIn 2016, Tran Xuan Bach (32 years old), a lecturer at Hanoi Medical University, was recognized as an associate professor, making him the youngest person to do so. "This is a significant milestone, a great honor for myself and my family. This achievement is thanks to the guidance of my teachers, the help of my colleagues, and especially the positive scientific environment I received at Hanoi Medical University," Bach shared.

Tran Xuan Bach, Vietnam's youngest associate professor, participated in the World Health Organization's Young Leaders Delegation on Health at the United Nations headquarters (Geneva).Switzerland). Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Originally a student specializing in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Tran Xuan Bach was initially guided by his family towards a career in engineering. However, driven by his passion for medicine, he chose the University of Public Health and enthusiastically explored this crucial interdisciplinary field within the healthcare system. In 2006, he graduated with top honors.

Tran Xuan Bach considers himself very fortunate to have worked at Hanoi Medical University – a school with a long history and a specialized research environment. Here, he participates in teaching and research at the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training.

In 2009, Tran Xuan Bach pursued his PhD at the University of Alberta (Canada), specializing in Health Economics and Health Policy. With a GPA of 4.0/4.0, the Vietnamese doctoral candidate earned a distinction degree and won the award for best doctoral research paper at the INSIGHT Public Health Scientific Conference, University of Alberta. He then continued his postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University (USA), a world-leading institution in public health.

Tran Xuan Bach's research focuses on health economics and health policy. He stated that he chose this topic because he recognizes the increasingly essential role of health economics in the operation of the healthcare system, especially in the context of Vietnam undergoing many simultaneous socio-economic transformations, disease patterns, and new challenges in global health, financing mechanisms, and international aid…

The research focuses on developing predictive analytics models, combining econometric methods with epidemiological measurements, to identify cost-effective intervention programs and therapies, and strategies to improve the performance of the health system. He also studies and analyzes the impact of health policies on population health, household poverty risk, identifies payment mechanisms and thresholds for specific health services, and measures to promote the expansion of health insurance coverage among vulnerable groups.

Tran Xuan Bach also researched pressing social health issues at each stage, such as HIV/AIDS, substance addiction, food safety and hygiene, obesity, and chronic disease prevention, and proposed solutions to meet the healthcare needs of the community.

Tran Xuan Bach and his colleagues at the World Health Organization. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

In 2015, Tran Xuan Bach was awarded the International Research Prize in Clinical and Preventive Medicine by the AIDS Research Center at Johns Hopkins University (USA). He subsequently became an Assistant Professor at this world-leading institution in public health. He has taught and supervised graduate students and trainees at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Texas at Houston (USA), Queensland University of Technology (Australia), and the University of Alberta (Canada).

In 2014, he was selected as a Young Health Leader for Asia by the International Council of Academies (IAP); he participated in teaching the Young Health Leaders program of the New York Academy of Medicine and the International Council of Academies, and chaired the session on Future Public Health Leadership at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany, in 2015. More recently, he represented the IAP's Young Health Leaders at the United Nations World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

"In the academic world, there are no shortcuts, and research work always comes with many difficulties. But I consider that inevitable, the essence of development, and a driving force for creativity and self-improvement... In a learning environment with many international friends, national pride is also a leverage for me to strive harder," said Associate Professor Tran Xuan Bach.

He recalled days when he wouldn't leave school until 3 or 4 a.m., walking home alone in the freezing snowstorms of -45 degrees Celsius in Canada. "I am steadfastly following in the footsteps of my mentors. Every profession requires striving and training," said the youngest associate professor ever in Vietnam's medical field, declining to elaborate on the hardships he endured.

Tran Xuan Bach while studying abroad.

Professor Nguyen Huu Tu, Vice Rector of Hanoi Medical University, commented:Tran Xuan Bach is a young, dedicated professional with a solid educational background and strong research and collaboration skills with international colleagues. He is also an active lecturer participating in the university's activities.

Dr. Pham Thanh Tung, a former student of Hanoi Medical University, shared that Professor Bach is very enthusiastic, always encouraging and helping students gain more experience and improve their study abroad applications. "Anyone doing research at the university knows Professor Bach because he has many international publications. The research group he leads is also very effective and has achieved many international accomplishments," said the doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University.

Speaking of the young teacher,Vu Bich Phuong, class Y6B,According to Phuong, medical students greatly admire their professor, evidenced by his being voted the most popular lecturer in 2015. He always has a special way of making his lectures engaging, employing interesting methods that keep students wanting to attend class. "He's also very empathetic when working with students, recognizing each person's strengths to develop them and identifying weaknesses to overcome them. He has inspired us greatly on our scientific and medical journey," Phuong said..

Having spent a year "not daring to rest, not daring to get sick, not daring to let negative thoughts linger in his head for more than 5 minutes," and achieving the title of associate professor, Tran Xuan Bach said that the trust and support of professors in the council at all levels and the school's leadership were a strong motivation and a great encouragement for him and his young colleagues to continue researching and teaching.

Through his projects, the associate professor aims to train young researchers, preparing them with essential academic skills from an early age, helping them become familiar with multi-dimensional thinking in research, and how to collaborate and coordinate in interdisciplinary working groups. He also hopes to spread his passion so that many young people will embark on the path of scientific research, or creatively apply their expertise to build a solid foundation for entrepreneurship.

According to VNE