Network neuroscience and Neuro-AI
Topology, geometry and information theory applied to brain networks, and what brain-inspired structure can teach machine learning models.
Duy Duong‑Tran, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Graduate Studies, Data Science, Harvard University. Affiliated faculty, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
I lead graduate education and run a research program that connects the brain, mathematics and AI.
My research covers network neuroscience, biomedical language and vision models, and engineering education. From 2023 to 2026 I was a tenure-track faculty member in Mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy. I hold a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory during my doctorate.
- Peer-reviewed papers
- 0
- Paper awards and honors
- 0
- Courses taught, graduate and undergraduate
- 10+
- Office of Naval Research grants as PI
- 3
Leadership and research, one career
The two have always run side by side: running programs and teams, and doing the technical work those programs depend on.
- Leadership and service
- Research and training
-
2026 to now
Assistant Director of Graduate Studies, Data Science
Harvard University
Working with students and faculty in Harvard’s Data Science master’s program. Program details are on my Harvard directory page.
-
2023 to 2026
Assistant Professor of Mathematics (tenure track)
United States Naval Academy
Taught data science, probability and statistics, and built an independent research program. Managed the Vietnam cultural-immersion programs for midshipmen in 2024 and served on faculty search and research committees.
-
2022 to now
Affiliated faculty, Shen Lab
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Joint work on Alzheimer’s disease, imaging genetics and biomedical AI, advising PhD and undergraduate researchers across projects.
-
2017 to 2022
Ph.D., Industrial Engineering
Purdue University, with summers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Dissertation on the geometric and algebraic properties of human brain functional networks. Served on the search committee for the head of the School of Industrial Engineering.
-
2014 to 2016
Program and planning roles in industry
Mann+Hummel and Denso
Led cross-functional automotive programs and reported budget, sourcing and design decisions to executive leadership in the U.S. and Germany.
Research themes
Three connected threads, with the brain as the common starting point.
Biomedical language and vision models
Large language models, knowledge graphs and multimodal learning for Alzheimer’s disease, imaging genetics and clinical data.
Engineering education
How cognitive diversity, motivation and grit relate to academic performance in multidisciplinary engineering classrooms.
Selected publications
A short list chosen for impact and venue. The full list is searchable by type and keyword.
Recognition
Paper awards and distinctions for work with students and collaborators.
Work with me
A short, specific note is the best way to start.
Prospective students
If you are considering Harvard’s Data Science master’s program, begin with my directory profile and the program pages. For research mentoring, tell me what you have built and what you want to learn next.
Collaborators
I welcome collaborations on brain network modeling, biomedical AI and data science education. Send your question, your data and the outcome you are after.
Press and event organizers
A short bio, a longer bio and a high-resolution headshot are ready for media and event use.