As the Associate Director for Science Operations, Tran has responsibility for the Center’s strategic planning and implementation, budgeting and financial operations, research administration, personnel, communications, and core science operations. She works with Center leadership and external partners to promote research collaborations across organizations and to align the development of research priorities and business strategies with SCEC’s mission. Her job entails keeping current with the challenges facing national research centers, and working with SCEC leadership to identify opportunities and secure funding from private and public sources. With the help of her team, Tran also manages the development of SCEC’s web presence and collaborative tools, and allocation of resources for Center researchers.

Tran’s favorite part of her job is interacting with scientists at various stages in their career, and supporting them to advance their own research and to engage in the SCEC community. She learns about the latest results in earthquake science at the hundreds of workshops and meetings she hosts for Center. That knowledge enables her to promote SCEC research to our sponsors, partners and throughout the community. Tran’s job is never boring and allows her to tap into her science training, business experience, and creative talents every day. She double majored in Geology and Biology at Northwestern University and earned a Master’s degree in Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California. In her career, Tran has worked as a marketing strategist, billing specialist, technical writer, administrative services manager, and special projects manager.

SCEC Participation

Current Roles

SCEC Associate Director (2017 - Present)
SCEC Executive Committee, Managing Coordinator (2017 - Present)
SCEC Science Planning Committee, Managing Coordinator (2017 - Present)
SCEC Executive Committee, Member (2017 - Present)
SCEC Staff (2006 - Present)

Past Roles

SCEC Committee on Professional Conduct, Managing Coordinator (2020 - 2021)
SCEC Committee on Professional Conduct, Member (2020 - 2021)