Research Summary

Dr. Nguyen is a behavioral scientist whose research program focuses on reducing substance use and related health disparities among priority populations (e.g., youth and young adults, sexual minorities, people with substance use disorders). Her work provides actionable insights and novel solutions to reduce substance use, promote public well-being, and advance health equity. She has employed a variety of research methods (e.g., population-based surveys, daily diaries, ecological momentary assessments, longitudinal surveys, focus group, in-depth interviews, and mixed-methods studies). Her current projects focuses on applying mobile health technology and machine learning to address dual use of e-cigarette and cigarette as well as co-use of tobacco and cannabis among young populations. Dr. Nguyen directs the smartphone-based research lab on tobacco and substance use for health equity - the HEARTY lab.

Research Funding

  • August 1, 2022 - September 30, 2025 - Real-time predictors of nicotine and cannabis vaping among young adults , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program - New Investigator Award, Sponsor Award ID: T32KT5071
  • July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 - Developing a smartphone-based tobacco cessation intervention for young adults who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: UCSF RAP-CTSI Pilot Award, Sponsor Award ID: UL1 TR001872-06
  • July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2023 - Tobacco and cannabis co-use among young adults: A multi-method analytic approach , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program - Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Sponsor Award ID: T31FT1564
  • September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 - Impact of new e-cigarette devices and harm perception on tobacco use behavior among young adults , Leader of Rapid Response Project . Sponsor: UCSF Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Sponsor Award ID: U54HL147127

Education

2022 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California
PhD, 2014 - Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center
BS, 2008 - Pharmacy, Hanoi University of Pharmacy

Honors & Awards

  • Outstanding Abstract Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2023
  • Emerging Health Equity Scholar Award, UCSF Multiethnic Health Equity Research Center, 2023
  • NIDA Diversity Scholars Network Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021
  • Meritorious Abstract Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2021
  • mHealth Training Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 2021
  • T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Cancer Institute, 2018-2020
  • International Fellowship, American Association of University Women, 2012
  • Predoctoral Fellowship, Vietnam Education Foundation, 2010-2012

Selected Publications

  1. Nguyen N, Peyser ND, Olgin JE, Pletcher MJ, Beatty AL, Modrow MF, Carton TW, Khatib R, Djibo DA, Ling PM, Marcus GM. Associations between tobacco and cannabis use and anxiety and depression among adults in the United States: Findings from the COVID-19 citizen science study. PLoS One. 2023; 18(9):e0289058.  View on PubMed
  2. Chambers J, Keyhani S, Ling PM, Hoggatt KJ, Hasin D, Nguyen N, Woods A, Ryder A, Cohen BE. Perceptions of Safety of Daily Cannabis vs Tobacco Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Exposure, 2017-2021. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Aug 01; 6(8):e2328691.  View on PubMed
  3. Nguyen N, Holmes LM, Pravosud V, Cohen BE, Ling PM. Changes in perceived harms of tobacco and cannabis and their correlations with use: A panel study of young adults 2014-2020. Addict Behav. 2023 Sep; 144:107758.  View on PubMed
  4. Nguyen N, Koester KA, Kim M, Watkins SL, Ling PM. "I'm both smoking and vaping": a longitudinal qualitative study of US young adults who tried to quit smoking cigarettes by using electronic cigarettes. Tob Control. 2023 Apr 18.  View on PubMed
  5. Nguyen N, Thrul J, Neilands TB, Ling PM. Associations Between Product Type and Intensity of Tobacco and Cannabis Co-use on the Same Day Among Young Adult Smokers: Smartphone-Based Daily-Diary Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023 02 20; 11:e40736.  View on PubMed
  6. Nguyen N, Wong M, Delucchi K, Halpern-Felsher B. Adolescents' and young adults' perceptions of risks and benefits differ by type of cannabis products. Addict Behav. 2022 08; 131:107336.  View on PubMed
  7. Nguyen N, Keyhani S, Ling PM, Hoggatt KJ, Hasin D, Cohen BE. Self-reported Changes in Cannabis Use Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic among US Adults. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2022 Sep-Oct; 54(4):295-299.  View on PubMed
  8. Nguyen N, Mathur Gaiha S, Halpern-Felsher B. Self-reported changes in cannabis vaping among US adolescents and young adults early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Prev Med Rep. 2021 Dec; 24:101654.  View on PubMed
  9. Nguyen N, Neilands TB, Lisha NE, Lyu JC, Olson SS, Ling PM. Longitudinal Associations Between Use of Tobacco and Cannabis Among People Who Smoke Cigarettes in Real-world Smoking Cessation Treatment. J Addict Med. 2022 Jul-Aug 01; 16(4):413-419.  View on PubMed
  10. Nguyen N, Kapiteni K, Straus ER, Guydish J. Factors associated with dual and polytobacco use among people in residential substance use disorder treatment. Am J Addict. 2021 09; 30(5):496-504.  View on PubMed
  11. Thrul J, Gubner NR, Nguyen N, Nguyen C, Goodell EA, Holmes LM, Vandrey RG, Ling PM. Perceived reward from using cigarettes with alcohol or cannabis and concurrent use: A smartphone-based daily diary study. Addict Behav. 2021 03; 114:106747.  View on PubMed
  12. Nguyen N, Holmes LM, Kim M, Ling PM. Using Peer Crowd Affiliation to Address Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes among San Francisco Bay Area Young Adults: A Cross Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 10 20; 17(20).  View on PubMed
  13. Nguyen N, McQuoid J, Neilands TB, Dermody SS, Holmes LM, Ling PM, Thrul J. Same-day use of cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis among sexual minority and heterosexual young adult smokers. Psychol Addict Behav. 2021 Mar; 35(2):215-223.  View on PubMed
  14. Nguyen N, Nguyen C, Thrul J. Digital health for assessment and intervention targeting tobacco and cannabis co-use. Curr Addict Rep. 2020 Sep; 7(3):268-279.  View on PubMed
  15. Le TT, Nguyen TTH, Nguyen C, Tran NH, Tran LA, Nguyen TB, Nguyen N, Nguyen HA. Factors associated with spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting among healthcare professionals in Vietnam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2020 Feb; 45(1):122-127.  View on PubMed
  16. Nguyen N, McKelvey K, Halpern-Felsher B. Popular Flavors Used in Alternative Tobacco Products Among Young Adults. J Adolesc Health. 2019 08; 65(2):306-308.  View on PubMed
  17. Nguyen N, Barrington-Trimis JL, Urman R, Cho J, McConnell R, Leventhal AM, Halpern-Felsher B. Past 30-day co-use of tobacco and marijuana products among adolescents and young adults in California. Addict Behav. 2019 11; 98:106053.  View on PubMed
  18. Nguyen N, Lisha NE, Neilands TB, Jordan JW, Ling PM. Differential Associations Between Anti-Tobacco Industry Attitudes and Intention to Quit Smoking Across Young Adult Peer Crowds. Am J Health Promot. 2019 07; 33(6):876-885.  View on PubMed
  19. Nguyen N, McQuoid J, Ramo D, Holmes LM, Ling PM, Thrul J. Real-time predictors of smoking among sexual minority and heterosexual young adults: An ecological momentary assessment study. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 11 01; 192:51-58.  View on PubMed
  20. Do HP, Nguyen LH, Thi Nguyen NP, Ngo C, Thi Nguyen HL, Le GT, Nguyen LK, Nguyen CT, Tran BX, Le HT, Vu TMT, Phan HTT, Tran TD, Latkin CA, Dunne MP. Factors associated with nicotine dependence during methadone maintenance treatment: findings from a multisite survey in Vietnam. BMJ Open. 2017 Jul 17; 7(7):e015889.  View on PubMed

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