Hai Nguyen will bring policy experience to the classroom. Suzanne Carr Rossi ’00 photo.
Associate Professor of Physics Hai Nguyen is undertaking a yearlong fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a science advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C.
As an AAAS fellow, Nguyen breaks complex concepts into digestible information for military leaders, consultants, and lawmakers. In return, he’s getting a firsthand look at how national policy is made and making high-powered contacts that will ultimately benefit his students.
One immediate effect will be to enhance his freshman seminar, Physics for Future Presidents and World Leaders.
“There’s a lot to learn, and it’s sometimes overwhelming,” Nguyen said of his work in Washington. “But I can see that there’s a critical need for more scientists and engineers to step out of their comfort zone and come out of school more suited to serve in this capacity.”