Eugene H. Trinh

Infobox Astronaut
name =Eugene Huu-Chau Trinh


type =Astronaut
nationality =American / Vietnamese
date_birth =September 14, 1950
place_birth =
occupation =Biochemist
selection =1983
time =13d 19h 30m
mission =STS-50
insignia =|

Eugene Huu-Chau "Gene" Trinh (born on September 14, 1950, in Saigon, South Vietnam) is the first Vietnamese-American to travel into outer space.

Biography

He was raised from the age of two in Paris, France, and has lived in the United States since 1968.

He graduated from Lycee Michelet in Paris, France, with a Baccalaureate degree in 1968. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering-Applied Physics from Columbia University in 1972; Masters of Science and of Philosophy and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Physics from Yale University in 1974, 1975, and 1977 respectively.

Dr. Eugene H. Trinh is the Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division in the Biological and Physical Research Enterprise at NASA Headquarters. He came to NASA HQ in 1999, as a Senior Research Scientist from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where for twenty years he conducted experimental and theoretical research in Fluid Dynamics, Fundamental Materials Science, and Levitation Technology. He conducted hands-on experimental investigations in laboratories, aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft, and on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Dr. Trinh was a Payload Specialist crew member on the STS-50/United States Microgravity Lab-1 Space Shuttle flight in 1992.

As the Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division at NASA, Dr. Trinh leads the effort to develop an innovative peer-reviewed scientific program focusing on the effects of gravity on physical, chemical, and biological systems. The results of this program will enable the human exploration and development of space, providing the scientific basis for technologies permitting humankind to explore the vast expanses of our solar system and beyond.

In May 2004, Eugene H. Trinh was awarded a Golden Torch Award, by the Vietnamese American National Gala in Washington, D.C.

Trinh used to reside in Culver City, California. Currently he is a resident of McLean, Virginia. Eugene is married to the former Yvette Fabry and has one child.

Organizations

Acoustical Society of America, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sigma Xi Research Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineering, American Physical Society.

Publications

Published over 40 reviewed articles and authored as many conference papers in the areas of Fluid Dynamics, Acoustics, Materials Science, and Microgravity science and technology.

pecial honors

*Full tuition Scholarship (Columbia University)
*Sheffield Fellowship (Yale University)
*Group Achievement award NASA for flight experiments
*Science Achievement award for Principal Investigator team NASA
*NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
*NASA Flight Medal

Research activities

1979 - PresentPhysical acoustics, fluid dynamics and containerless materials processing. Development of high intensity acoustic levitation devices and experimental instrumentation and measurement techniques for fluid dynamics experiments as well as high temperature materials processing experiments in ground based laboratory and in low gravity. Development of shuttle flight experiments, and participation in both Spacelab flight mission support activities as well as flight crew training. Alternate Payload Specialist (APS) on Spacelab 3 mission (May 1985). Research Task Manager and Project Scientist for Drop Physics Module flight experiments. NASA investigator in Fluid Physics, Biotechnology, and Materials Science.

Other experience

Development and operation of low-gravity experimental apparatuses for tests in the NASA KC-135 aircraft. An accumulated low gravity time of about 25 hours (at 0.05 G) has been obtained since 1983.

Dr. Trinh was a member of the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-50/United States Microgravity Laboratory-1 (USML-1) Spacelab mission.

ee also

* Phạm Tuân (first Vietnamese/Asian in space)

External links

* [http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/PS/trinh.html Dr. Eugene H. Trinh]