BS  Creighton University
MS  Indiana State Univeristy
PhD  University of Kansas

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Joseph Nguyen joined the Mount Mercy community in the fall of 2010. Prior to coming to Mount Mercy, Nguyen held various teaching positions, including teaching at Arlington High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nguyen holds a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, a Master's degree in education, and a Doctorate in chemistry.

Nguyen is a distinguished researcher and has participated in research projects at University of California, Irvine, University of California, San Diego, University of Kansas, and Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. His research topics include metal-organic frameworks, the design of inorganic/organic hybrid materials, and nanoparticulate materials. Nguyen's research has been widely published, and he has presented his findings at meetings and symposiums across the country. 

During his academic career, Nguyen received numerous honors and awards. During his time at the University of Kansas, he earned the Bailey-Philips Fellowship for 2003-2005. In May 2006, he received the Ray Q. Brewster Teaching Award, followed by the Graduate Student Travel Award in August 2007. Nguyen received a N.I.H. Hemoglobin and Blood Protein training grant while at the University of California, San Diego, in 2009.  While at Mount Mercy, Ngyen was a FUTURE in Biomedicine.  In the summer of 2011, he took part in a  fellowship at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.  

Nguyen's current research interests covers two different areas.  The first research area is in collaboration with Dr. Rich Roller at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.  Together, they are characterizing essential herpesvirus interactions.  The second area of research is in collaboration with Drs. Keuseman and Bezy.  This biodisel research works to produce biodiesel from used vegetable oil as part of the university's sustainability efforts.  The research also focuses on trying to produce biodiesel from cyanobacteria, with efforts to optimize the production of lipids through various methods.  

Nguyen is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Phi Phi Lambda Upsilon, the National Chemistry Honor Society. In his free time, Nguyen enjoys singing, running, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Publications

Nguyen, J. G., C. A. Johnson, B. Subramaniam, and A. S. Borovik. 2008. Nitric oxide disproportionation at mild temperatures by a nanoparticulate cobalt(II) complex. Chemistry of Materials 20: 5939-5941. pdf

Johnson, C., B. Long, J. G. Nguyen, V. W. Day, A.S. Borovic, B. Subramaniam, and J. Guzman. 2008. Correlation between active center structure and enhanced dioxyben binding in Co(salen) nanoparticles: characterization by in situ infrared, raman, and x-ray absorption spectroscopies. Journal of Physical Chemistry 112: 12272-12281. pdf

Johnson, C., S. Ottiger, R. Pini, E. M. Gorman, J. G. Nguyen, E. J. Munson, M. Mazzotti, A. S. Borovik, B. Subramaniam. 2009. Near-stoiciometric O₂ binding on metal centers in Co(salen) nanoparticles.  American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal 55: 1040-1045. pdf

Nguyen, J. G., and S. M. Cohen. 2010. Moisture-resistent and superhydrophobic metal-oranic frameworks obtained via postsynthetic modification. Journal of the American Chemical Society 132: 4560-4561. pdf

Nguyen, J. G., K. K. Tanabe, and S. M. Cohen. 2010. Postsynthetic diazeniumdiolate formation and NO relase from MOFs.  Crystal Engineering Communication 12: 2335-2338. pdf