Nhung Nguyen

Nhung Nguyen, PhD, PharmD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She is a dedicated substance use researcher whose work centers on reducing the co-use of tobacco and cannabis, particularly among young adults. Dr. Nguyen leads the HEARTY lab (https://heartylab.ucsf.edu), which develops innovative smartphone-based interventions using mobile health, AI, and implementation science. She is affiliated with multiple research centers at UCSF, including the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, the Multiethnic Health Equity Research Center, and the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies.

Dr. Nguyen earned her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and a BS in Pharmacy from Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Vietnam. She has completed advanced training in mHealth, diversity and inclusion, and substance use innovations at UCLA, UCSF, and Johns Hopkins.

Her research employs a range of methodologies, including ecological momentary assessment, mixed methods, and human-centered design, to explore the behavioral and contextual factors influencing dual tobacco and cannabis use. Her work has been published in top-tier journals such as JAMA Network Open, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and Addictive Behaviors. The articles consistently focus on co-use patterns, cessation strategies, mental health impacts, and the development of digital interventions.

Recent publications highlight trends in cannabis legalization effects, vaping behaviors, and the integration of AI in smoking cessation programs. Her research demonstrates a strong emphasis on health equity, youth populations, and real-world implementation of behavioral interventions.

Dr. Nguyen has received numerous honors, including:

• Hellman Fellowship (2024–2026)
• RISE Fellowship from NHLBI (2024)
• Emerging Health Equity Scholar Award (2023)
• NIDA Diversity Scholars Network Program (2021)
• T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2020)

She is the Principal Investigator on multiple funded research projects from NIH/NIDA and the California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, focusing on developing and evaluating mobile interventions for substance use. Dr. Nguyen actively contributes to public discourse through media appearances and policy-relevant research. Her work has been picked up by news outlets, cited in policy sources, and discussed widely in academic and public health circles.

Dr. Nguyen's lab, the HEARTY lab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and is committed to translating research into actionable public health solutions. She has no listed advisees in the provided text, but her leadership in training and mentorship is evident through her funded projects and institutional affiliations.