About me

I am a Stanford Science Fellow doing postdoctoral research in the Doerr School of Sustainability and the Department of Physics. My research focuses on the ultimate fate of methane and other carbon species in the atmosphere. To do this, I apply remote sensing, data assimilation, and numerical models to improve the way we detect, quantify, and trace carbon with satellites and ground-based sensors. I earned my PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering at Caltech in 2023. I am also an avid marathon runner, and proud to represent Rabbit as a member of their elite team.

Detail of a world map of shortwave radiative forcing from methane, centred on Africa, where a bright hotspot covers the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula.


Featured in...

Newton Nguyen tying his shoes before a run.

Runner's World: "How Running Has Helped Newton Nguyen Navigate Life as a Blind Man"

2022

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Grid of portraits of the Stanford Science Fellows named in 2023.

Stanford University: "2023 cohort of Stanford Science Fellows named"

2023

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Portrait of Newton Nguyen at Caltech.

#SoCaltech: Newton Nguyen

2022

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Newton Nguyen sitting in a chair on a film set, being interviewed.

Mini-Documentary: "Marathoning Through Life with Vision Loss"

2021

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Ally Bank logo.

Ally Commercial: "We're All Better off With an Ally"

2021

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Black and grey logo of the podcast Careers for the Blind.

Careers for the Blind Podcast: "Episode 35: Climate Scientist Newton Nguyen"

2021

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Newton Nguyen sitting outdoors in running gear.

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab News: "Newton Nguyen's Vision Loss Doesn't Slow Him Down"

2016

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Newton Nguyen on the Berkeley track, preparing to run.

UC Berkeley News: "Despite failed vision, alum running a self-guided race to his Ph.D."

2017

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Newton Nguyen sitting on the grass stretching, in running gear.

KTVU News: "98 percent blind Cal Berkeley student competes as triathlete"

2015

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Service

Outreach and service are a substantial part of my scientific life. I am involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts related to disability both within and outside of academia. Here are just a few of the outreach activities I have been up to recently.

Cofounder: Systemic Access Mentorship Program for Blind Students in STEM

I cofounded this mentorship program to bring together blind students in STEM and give them tools for success. To date, there have been 40 matched mentors and mentees across 3 countries.

Member: Caltech Graduate Admissions Policy Committee

I was selected by the President of Caltech as student representative for the faculty committee tasked with increasing student body diversity and rewriting graduate admissions policies. This work involved extensive analysis of past admissions data and policies from other institutions, and resulted in a published white paper and a newly implemented admissions protocol. [Read the report]

Invited speaker at Coca-Cola Headquarters, ComSciCon, Aira Corporation, the National Federation of the Blind, and more

Please reach out if you are interested in having me speak to your organization on topics related to disability in STEM, endurance sports, or Asian-American activism.

Founder and President: Caltech Triathlon Club

I assembled the team, coached practices, and organized the race logistics and schedule.

Newton Nguyen stretching with a guide runner in the California sunset.