Assistant Professor Dien Nguyen has received an $875,000 Early Career Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science to investigate the fundamental role of neutron spin in shaping the universe. Awarded on January 15, 2026, the funding will support Nguyen’s research into the microscopic origins of matter’s order, focusing on the elusive spin of neutrons – a notoriously difficult area of study. Nguyen’s work delves into the quantum realm, examining how quarks within neutrons contribute to their spin and, ultimately, the structure of all materials. “It’s not just the building,” she said, “It’s fundamental structure. Spin is responsible for shaping the world—a provider of order and structure to the universe.” This research, conducted in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) and MIT, promises advancements in materials science, medicine, and quantum computing.
DOE Award Supports Neutron Spin Research at UT
While proton spin has received considerable attention, understanding the neutron’s internal dynamics remains a significant challenge in nuclear physics. “Experimentally, neutron spin is way harder to study compared to proton spin,” explains Assistant Professor Dien Nguyen, who leads the project. Nguyen’s approach involves scattering electrons from a polarized Helium-3 target, a technique allowing for high-precision data collection on quark behavior within the neutron.
This isn’t simply about identifying building blocks, but understanding the intricacies of their arrangement. “It’s fundamental structure.” By mapping quark spin and its impact on the neutron, Nguyen aims to fill critical gaps in our understanding of nucleon structure and the forces that bind them. Nguyen emphasizes the importance of nurturing the next generation of scientists, drawing upon her own experiences. “I was always interested in this challenging spin study, but did not get a chance to touch it until I went to MIT after my PhD,” she recalls.
Ultimately, Nguyen believes this work will provide “a much better understanding of the fundamental structure of matter,” with potential applications spanning materials science, medicine, and the burgeoning field of quantum computing. This award marks the second DOE Early Career Award for the UT physics department since 2022, solidifying the university’s position as a hub for innovative nuclear physics research.
Electron Scattering Maps Quark Spin & Neutron Structure
## Unlocking Nucleon Secrets: Electron Beams Reveal Neutron’s Hidden Spin
A new approach utilizing electron scattering is providing unprecedented insight into the internal structure of neutrons, specifically how the spin of their constituent quarks contributes to the nucleon’s overall properties. This data illuminates the complex interplay between quark spin and the resulting neutron spin, effectively “mapping” the internal dynamics. “I’m bringing missing pieces,” she said, aiming to complete the picture of nucleon structure. This isn’t merely about identifying components; it’s about understanding how those components interact. Her journey began with a fascination for challenging spin studies, ignited during a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT where she worked alongside Richard Milner. Ultimately, Nguyen envisions a far more complete understanding of matter’s fundamental building blocks.
Nguyen’s Mentorship Shaped by MIT & JLab Collaboration
Dien Nguyen’s trajectory as an experimental nuclear physicist wasn’t solely forged in the lab, but also through a network of influential mentors cultivated during key stages of her career. Her interest in challenging spin studies didn’t fully blossom until a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT’s Laboratory for Nuclear Science, where proximity to Richard Milner proved pivotal.
Milner, co-author of a book exploring the structure of matter, invited Nguyen to collaborate on a project, and her enthusiastic response – “I’m on board,” – launched a new phase of her research. “I’m bringing missing pieces,” she stated, emphasizing her contribution to filling gaps in understanding nucleon spin. This collaborative spirit continued at UT, where she joined the faculty in 2024, building on a bridge position between the university and JLab.
Mentors like James Maxwell at Jefferson Lab provided foundational guidance, teaching her “everything from the first step about target polarization.” Nguyen actively incorporates these varied mentorship styles into her own approach, noting, “it’s kind of a mix and really impacted my style of mentoring.” Her dedication to students was recognized in 2025 when the UT Graduate Physics Society named her Research Advisor of the Year. “This is one of the more important awards for me because it makes me feel like I’m doing things right,” she said.
“One of the reasons I wanted to be a professor is that I like to work with students and I like teaching. I put a lot of effort into that. When the students recognize that I care about them, that makes me really happy.”
UT Physics Department Attracts Early Career Scientists
This funding isn’t simply about financial support; it’s a recognition of Nguyen’s innovative approach to understanding the fundamental structure of matter, specifically nucleon spin. Her work extends beyond identifying basic building blocks, focusing on the properties within those blocks. She employs a sophisticated technique involving electron scattering from a polarized Helium-3 target, generating high-precision data to map quark spin and its influence on neutron behavior. The department’s success in attracting talent extends beyond Nguyen; Associate Professor Tova Holmes received a similar DOE award in 2022.
Department Head Adrian Del Maestro notes that “Early Career Awards recognize only the brightest and most innovative junior faculty in the United States,” emphasizing Nguyen’s vision and impact on the nuclear physics program. Nguyen herself credits the supportive environment at UT, stating, “I feel welcome when I’m here,” and acknowledging the mentorship of colleagues like Nadia Fomin, who provided crucial feedback on her award proposal, ensuring its success. “We won it, not that I won it,” she clarified, highlighting a collaborative spirit.
