Employee Spotlight: Bao “Han” Truong

Meet ORAU employee Bao “Han” Truong! Han is an ORAU contractor working under the National Student Services Contract (NSSC) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As an Unnamed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aerial Researcher at Research Triangle Park, NC facility, Han supports EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM). ORD has recently initiated the use of UAS drones to support its mission for environmental measurements and Han serves on the UAS Aerial Sampling team. Han aids with instrumentation and software design, development, and testing for gas and particle measurement systems aboard the UAS.

In April 2024, Han attended a field campaign to support the EPA’s Aerial Sampling team at the Konza Biological Station in Manhattan, KS. Han was asked to attend and participate in drone-based emissions sampling from prescribed burning of grasslands. When asked what she enjoyed the most about the field campaign, Han said, “I enjoyed getting to experience being in the Great Plains, seeing the beautiful grassy rolling hills, and running around with all the bison and turkeys. Although, the highlight would definitely be experiencing some of the large-prescribed burns, where up to 400 acres were burned!”

In addition to highlighting the field campaign and joining the EPA’s Aerial Sampling team, we asked Han about joining the EPA CEMM team and her work. When asked what her favorite part of working at EPA has been so far, Han said, “Firstly, the people are the best part at EPA. I get to work with some of the most brilliant minds that constantly inspire and push me to learn and grow every day. I am meeting new people all the time and have already made lasting connections. In addition, I enjoy the variety of work I get to pursue on a day-to-day basis. Some days I’m doing testing in the field, others I’m experimenting in the lab or crunching data at my desk.”

Background

Han earned a Master of Science in Geological Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, Han earned a background in planetary geology and geochemistry. After graduate school Han worked as a material scientist for asbestos research and testing. Han’s role as a material scientist became the gateway between her geology background and air quality research. During Han’s time as a material scientist, she learned that asbestos is a field term for six different minerals (geology) and is an airborne carcinogen (air quality). This experience allowed Han to transition into a role at EPA, conducting field sampling of open emission sources (i.e., wildland fires, weapons testing, etc.).