Le Ngoc Tram: The poor boy quit his job as a teacher and his journey to conquer NASA made Americans respect

A small Vietnamese guy but working in the top agency in the US - NASA makes people at home and abroad pay attention. This guy has an unmistakable name because it's so strange and special.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a place that sounds far away, but many Vietnamese people have had the opportunity to set foot in this place and leave a mark. Among them, the guy born in 1990, from Phu Yen - Le Ngoc Tram is probably the one who attracts the most attention.

Le Ngoc Tram (born in 1990, native of Hoa Tri commune, Phu Hoa district, Phu Yen province) is one of the few Vietnamese people accepted to do postdoctoral research (postdoc) at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Tran said he was lucky because there were many more talented people, but with his efforts, the poor young man from Phu Yen could do what few people can do.

The boy with the strangest name in Vietnam was born in an ordinary family, his parents divorced when he was only 5 years old, his younger sister was 2 months old. I live with my father, my sister lives with my mother. It was not until the second grade that Trâm could go home with his mother and younger brother.

Remembering his grandmother's advice: "The only way to be poor is to learn to get out of poverty" , from then on, he studied day and night, hoping to change the future. Not disobeying his family, during his time at school, Tram studied very well and won many awards.

During his high school years, Trâm was always distinguished by his academic achievements. I am eager to learn, especially the knowledge of astronomy, geography and raise the determination to become a person with a degree, at least a master's degree like my idol uncle.

After high school, I chose Physics pedagogy from Quy Nhon University because I wanted to reduce the economic burden on my family. 4 years of university, Tram has always been a good student, twice selected by the school to participate in the National Student Physics Olympiad, winning a silver medal and a consolation prize. Not only studying well, but also actively participating in social activities and the Union - Association movement.

In 2012, Tram returned to his hometown to work as a teacher and at the same time studied for a master's degree. The teacher, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, advised Tram to pursue a master's degree in astrophysics at the Department of Space and Applications, University of Science and Technology, Hanoi (USTH).

But the school's tuition at that time was a problem for a poor student in Phu Yen. "I don't know why I find it very interesting and attractive when I read information about the school, what motivates me to go to school. Even then, I didn't have a clear picture of what that career would be. I only knew Astrophysics is a direction of Physics, "Tru said.

At that time he began to learn about Astrophysics and was fascinated by it. I decided to pursue a master's degree in it at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH).

So from students who choose pedagogy because "tuition is free", Trâm does not hesitate to apply to a school with a high tuition fee. " My mother said she would support me as much as possible, and I am confident that I will try my best to study well to win a scholarship, without paying for tuition," Tran shared that it was the right decision, because when he entered the school, he found the tuition fee was also worthy of what he learned at the school.

But the biggest barrier at that time for Tram was English. He returned to his hometown and continued to teach and study English at the same time. Three months later, he went to Hanoi for an interview, got good results, and started his graduate study journey.

Le Ngoc Tram (far right) took a picture with a group of friends who love Astrophysics and a foreign professor

Thanks to his excellent academic performance, the scholarships at USTH help the male student not have to pay tuition fees, but also help him have a little more living with his family's money. Difficulty should Tram know to appreciate the value of money.

The opportunity to interact with experts, leading professors in the field of space - astronomy also comes from here. In my second year of graduate school, I was helped by a teacher to choose a topic, and went to France to do my master's thesis at the University of Paris 7.

After finishing graduate school, Tram always studied for a doctorate at the Pedagogical University of Paris, the Paris Astronomical Observatory. In 2018, after successfully defending his doctoral thesis, Tran was invited to the Korea Institute of Astronomy and Space Science (KASI) to cooperate with Professor Hoang Chi Thiem. The topic was later published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

During one time at the Pedagogical University of Paris, I met Dr. William T. Reach, Associate Director of the SOFIA Science Center at NASA's AMES Research Center came to work. When he noticed Tram's ability, he invited him to participate in an interview with the board of professors of NASA. A solid background of knowledge, fluent foreign languages, and confidence helped Tram overcome difficult challenges, being accepted as a postdoctoral researcher at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Working at NASA, at first, I was a bit self-conscious about foreign languages and knowledge because I just graduated from school, but I gradually became more confident in my work and integrated into the working culture here. He created his own frame of reference. If Americans work 8 hours a day, then I try to work 9-10 hours, and even on weekends.

After one year, he was accepted to study independently and develop his research direction (SOFIA postdoc fellow). Tram is rated quite high and according to the manager, no one has ever received a score like him.

Currently, Tram and Professor Hoang Chi Thiem (Korea), Associate Professor Pham Ngoc Diep (Vietnam Space Center) and faculty members of the Department of Space and Applications (Hanoi University of Science and Technology, USTH) create a research network to work together in the field of astrophysics and connect to a larger international network.

The network initially attracted Vietnamese students and researchers at home and abroad (France, Germany, Japan and Korea) to participate.

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