Eugene H. Trinh
Encyclopedia
Eugene Huu-Chau "Gene" Trinh (Vietnamese
: Trịnh Hữu Châu, born September 14, 1950) is a Vietnamese-American biochemist who flew aboard NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-50
as a Payload Specialist
. He is the first Vietnamese-French-American to travel into outer space
.
, Trinh moved with his parents to Paris, France, when he was two years old. He came to the United States
to study when he was 18 and later became an American citizen.
Trinh graduated from Lycee Michelet in Paris, France, in 1968 with a baccalaureate degree. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering-Applied Physics from Columbia University
in 1972. He then studied at Yale University
, earning a Masters of Science in 1974, a Masters of Philosophy in 1975, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Physics in 1977.
headquarters. He started with NASA in 1999, as a Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
. He conducted experimental and theoretical research in Fluid Dynamics, Fundamental Materials Science, and Levitation Technology for 20 years. He performed hands-on experimental investigations in laboratories aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft, and on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Trinh was a Payload Specialist crew member on the STS-50/United States Microgravity Lab-1 Space Shuttle flight in 1992.
As Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division at NASA, 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 received the Golden Torch Award from the Vietnamese American National Gala in Washington, D.C.
Trinh formerly resided in Culver City, California
, but now makes his home in McLean, Virginia
. He is married to the former Yvette Fabry and has one child.
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.
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
: Trịnh Hữu Châu, born September 14, 1950) is a Vietnamese-American biochemist who flew aboard NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-50
STS-50
-Backup crew:-Mission parameters:*Mass:**Orbiter landing with payload: **Payload: *Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 28.5°*Period: 90.6 min- Mission highlights:...
as a Payload Specialist
Payload Specialist
A Payload Specialist ' was an individual selected and trained by commercial or research organizations for flights of a specific payload on a NASA Space Shuttle mission...
. He is the first Vietnamese-French-American to travel into outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
.
Biography
Born in Saigon, South VietnamSouth Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, Trinh moved with his parents to Paris, France, when he was two years old. He came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to study when he was 18 and later became an American citizen.
Trinh graduated from Lycee Michelet in Paris, France, in 1968 with a baccalaureate degree. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering-Applied Physics from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1972. He then studied at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, earning a Masters of Science in 1974, a Masters of Philosophy in 1975, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Physics in 1977.
Career
Trinh is currently the Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division in the Biological and Physical Research Enterprise at NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
headquarters. He started with NASA in 1999, as a Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The facility is headquartered in the city of Pasadena on the border of La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena...
. He conducted experimental and theoretical research in Fluid Dynamics, Fundamental Materials Science, and Levitation Technology for 20 years. He performed hands-on experimental investigations in laboratories aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft, and on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Trinh was a Payload Specialist crew member on the STS-50/United States Microgravity Lab-1 Space Shuttle flight in 1992.
As Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division at NASA, 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 received the Golden Torch Award from the Vietnamese American National Gala in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Trinh formerly resided in Culver City, California
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
, but now makes his home in McLean, Virginia
McLean, Virginia
McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The community had a total population of 48,115 as of the 2010 census....
. He 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
Trinh has 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.Awards and 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 Space Flight Medal
Research activities
Physical acoustics, fluid dynamics and containerless materials processing. Development of high intensity acoustic levitationAcoustic levitation
Acoustic levitation is a method for suspending matter in a medium by using acoustic radiation pressure from intense sound waves in the medium. Acoustic levitation is possible because of the non-linear effects of intense sound waves....
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.