Research

As a computational neuroscientist by training, my research has continuously grown, spanning multiple interdisciplinary areas from computer science, Bioinformatics, computational neuroscience, applied mathematics, to engineering education. My research can be partitioned into four main categories:

1. Generative AI, fairness in Machine Learning, Large Language Models and Knowledge Graph

2. Bioinformatics Methods and precision medicine in brain dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

3. Efficient computations of complex networks with applications in the biomedical multi-omics data

4. Neuro-inspired pedagogical innovation.

In the field of Biomedical/Bioinformatics, my work spans a variety of focus, ranging from theoretical (e.g., in Journal of Network Neuroscience – Methods Section, or Mathematics) to applied/computational (e.g., Neuroimage and Brain Connectivity, iScience - Cell Press). In the field of Computer Science (CS), my work has been published in top CS Conference such as Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL): Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP) or Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI).

[Google Scholar] [PubMed] [ORCID] [Research Gate] [SciProfile] [LinkedIn]

Nghi Nguyen is a former Erasmus Mundus Fellow in Neural Data Program. He is now a current PhD Student in Max Planck Research Institute for Human Cognition and Brain Science. He enjoys language, philosophy, artificial cognition, and the human brain. The big questions he's pursuing include: can meaning emerge from communication games between AI agents? How, and to what extent, can AI help humans understand their brains on a computational level? What kind of understanding is afforded by collaborations between AI and neuroscience practitioners? To approach those questions, he's working on his skills in machine learning, agent based modeling, and computational neuroscience.

Jungyoun Janice Min earned my M.Sc. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from Seoul National University (Top 4.5% GPA). I received my B.A. at Sookmyung Women's University, double-majoring  Social Psychology and International Studies (Top 4% GPA). Currently, shen's working with Dr. Duong-Tran to create transformer-based Deep Learning framework to fuse structure and functional dynamics of human brain connectivity, on top of allostatic biomarkers, to efficiently classify trait anxiety. Her work was recently presented and published (Link) at 2025 Computational Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN). For more information: Website.

Khue Ngo is currently a junior student at Fulbright University Vietnam, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Integrated Sciences. She aims to pursue higher education in the interdisciplinary field of computer science and life sciences, with a specific focus on understanding human brain in healthy and disease conditions. She is interested in applying her computational skills and data science to study biological mechanisms underlying diseases and other complex processes in humans. Her academic journey has been shaped by her experiences in environmental and microbiology sciences. She conducted research on microplastic pollution in the Hau River in Vietnam, which she presented at the 3rd International Vietnam Conference on Earth and Environmental Sciences. Additionally, she served as a teaching assistant for Environmental Sciences and Environmental Microbiology courses at Fulbright. These experiences has helped her to develop hands-on research skills and sharpened her scientific research mindset. In her future professional career, she aspires to contribute to discoveries in the human-related biology field by using her expertise in computer science. 

MIDN 1/C Dylan Huffman is a Pure Mathematics and Applied Physics student at the United States Naval Academy, who will pursue a career as a submarine officer upon graduation. Dylan was recently accepted into the Bowman scholarship program, which facilitates undergraduate research and guarantees immediate acceptance into a masters program upon commissioning. He has interned at The “Lighthouse” under Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL, and the US Navy’s Underwater Warfare Development Center in Groton, CT. Dylan keeps himself quite busy outside of academics. He is the president of the United States Naval Academy Men’s Glee club, a prestigious musical group at the United States Naval Academy. He has been able to perform at the US Capitol building for state events, tour Japan and perform internationally, and many other incredible opportunities to support the United States Navy and the USNA Music Department. He also served as a Plebe Summer Company Commander, where he took charge in leading 80 incoming freshmen and 15 upper class in a high-stress, training and leadership focused environment. Additionally, Dylan participates in the annual All-Saints Day Halloween Concert, and is a member of the Navy Bodybuilding team. Dylan has been on the Superintendent's list for 4 semesters, and strives to find new ways to challenge himself through his research at USNA and beyond.

MIDN 3/C DeFabio is an Operations Research major at the United States Naval Academy and hopes to service select Submarines. She is Midshipmen Group Study Program leader where she assists other Midshipmen in differential equations. She was also selected to participate in Junior United Kingdom and International Scholarship Program, a place to discuss literature and current events among other Midshipmen who want to pursue graduate education. Additionally, MIDN 3/C DeFabio is a member of the USNA Varsity Women's Lacrosse team, where she has been a starting midfielder since Plebe year. She was also selected for the U.S. U20 Women's National Training Team as one of the top 42 players in her age group to compete for a spot at the World Games. This upcoming summer, she is traveling to Turkey with a group of students from Tufts University as part of Allies for Civil Military Relations and writing a research paper on the effects of the coup attempt. She was also selected to be a Plebe Summer Squad Leader this summer, where she will be responsible for training and caring for 10 incoming freshmen and teaching them about the Naval Academy. Due to her high performance in all mission areas, she has been on the Superintendent’s List every semester and she recently joined Dr. Duong Tran in his research.

MIDN 2/C Noelle de Vente is a Pure-Mathematics major at the United States Naval Academy where she hopes to pursue a career in Navy Medicine. She serves as the Navy Medicine Club President and was accepted to a program where she is able to observe at the Baltimore Shock Trauma unit, accumulating over 75 hours. She is a Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Education (SHAPE) Peer Educator where she teaches monthly lessons to her fellow midshipmen regarding all aspects of sexual assault. Furthermore, she is a Midshipmen Group Study Program (MGSP) Leader where she leads tutoring sessions for her fellow midshipmen in calculus and chemistry. She is a member of the Varsity Navy Women’s Rowing team and has competed in the First Varsity (1V) boat ever since her Plebe year. She was selected for the Patriot League Women's Rowing All-League Second Team and was awarded CRCA Scholar Athlete award as a result of her high academic achievement. Last summer she was selected as a intern with the Bureau of Public Health in Miami, FL where she experienced the challenges involved in working with diverse and dynamic public health situations, including detection of bioterrorism agents, and was a USNA Plebe Summer squad leader where she assisted in the development of plebes as they entered the Brigade. Due to her high performance in all mission areas, physical, mental, and moral, she has been on the Superintendents list all semester of her Academy career and is ranked top of her class, 28th out of 1122 midshipmen. This past semester, she joined Professor Duy Duong-Tran as his research student. In April 2024, MIDN Noelle de Vente was chosen as the 2nd Battalion Commander for the next semester (Fall of 2024). She was selected out of 1,100 of her classmates to lead and represent the 800 midshipmen under her battalion's command. In addition to taking responsibility for the safety, well-being, and efficiency of her Battalion, she ensures the Commandant's and Brigade Commander's policies are instituted and upheld within her command.