At UNC Project-Vietnam, Kim Ngan Nguyen, MSc, says her days are genuinely rewarding as she manages implementation studies for IGHID investigators. She describes this as taking proven concepts off the page and turning them into well-run interventions that lead to better health outcomes.
What is your role with UNC Project-Vietnam?
“As the person responsible for the behavioral intervention research at UNC Vietnam, I ensure that each project is carried out efficiently and complies to regulatory standards. I supervise on progress, resolve problems, and collaborate with PIs, such as Vivian Go, Bill Miller, Tran Viet Ha and team members at both UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Vietnam, to make sure everything stays on track. My duties include technical tasks, as well as financial and administrative responsibilities. When there are urgent issues, I’m ready to help the team wherever they need it so that every study goes from planning to successful execution.
“I started this role in July 2023 and am currently responsible for overseeing behavioral implementation science projects, which include SNaP, EBAI, and BPrEP studies.”
Can you describe these studies?
“The EBAI study an implementation trial using an experiential implementation strategy to address clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Clinicians receive the experiential intervention before they begin delivering a brief alcohol intervention (BAI) to people with HIV (PWH) with unhealthy alcohol use. BAI is proven effective for addressing unhealthy alcohol use among PWH. Read more here.
“The BPrEP study/ Brief Alcohol Intervention is an effort to reduce alcohol use and improve PrEP outcomes. In 2018, Vietnam was the second country in Asia to start a program for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which requires persistence in care and adherence to the prescribed regimen, whether daily oral, event-driven, or injectable. This has been a challenge for Vietnamese MSM. In Hanoi, PrEP persistence among MSM is only 42 and 33% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Unhealthy alcohol use may contribute to this. See more here.
“Systems Navigation and Psychosocial Counseling (SNaP) is an evidence-based intervention that was proven to improve HIV-related health outcomes among people who inject drugs living with HIV. SNaP study evaluates the effectiveness of SNaP implementation approaches as well as cost and the characteristics of HIV testing sites achieving successful or unsuccessful implementation of SNaP in Vietnam. You can learn more here.”
What is your background? Have you always worked in research?
“I have a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s in social epidemiology. My research career began as a lecturer assistant at Hanoi University of Public Health (HUPH), where I gained experience from supporting studies to developing proposals, implementing projects, and contributing to publications, mostly with cross-sectional and quasi-experimental designs. Looking for new challenges, I joined UNC Vietnam as a data management officer, where I learned about the strict regulations that apply to clinical research, as well as how to conduct and implement high-quality research.”
Can you talk about the research themes for Vietnam?
“A clear epidemiologic transition can be seen in Vietnam’s public health research. Although communicable diseases including HIV, tuberculosis, dengue, and emerging infections, continue to be important, the majority of the burden is now shared by non-communicable conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental health. Prevention and behavioral research on tobacco and e-cigarette use, alcohol use, and sexual health among youth and other vulnerable groups are now top priorities. Additionally, environmental health and climate impacts, such as air pollution, are becoming increasingly serious concerns. These evolving health challenges highlight the need for novel approaches and policy-relevant research to improve Vietnam’s public-health response.”
Could you describe some successes you are proud of?
“I’m proud that our team consistently meets high research standards during implementing studies. The requirements can feel strict at times, but they ensure scientific integrity and participant safety. When we faced periods of very high interview volume, the team worked together to prioritize tasks and share workloads. Roles often stretched beyond original job descriptions, but everyone contributed to achieve the best outcomes. My part was to coordinate efforts, consult PIs and leadership, and guide us toward the most practical solutions.”
What do you enjoy about your work?
“I remind myself every day of the purpose behind our studies; it keeps me motivated and growing. I value the chance to collaborate with talented professors and colleagues, which expands my knowledge both vertically and horizontally across academic research and real-world project management. Most days are genuinely rewarding.”
What else would you like to share about the contributions you make?
“Implementation science is the bridge between evidence-based ideas and real-world practice. Our team takes concepts off the page and turns them into well-run projects on the ground, collecting data to support scientific evidence and contribute to better public health outcomes.”
The people of the Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID) and its UNC Project sites are driven to make big change! From principal investigators and grant managers to regulatory specialists and study coordinators, everyone has an important role to play in what we do around the world. We are pleased to highlight the work of these people who proudly serve. Find More.