“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh
I believe in the work of
empowering career journeyers to understand and tell their career stories so they can discover and pursue fulfilling career paths
cultivating an environment where curiosity leads to opportunity and professional growth
striving to bridge the gap between academic and non-academic sectors
About
Thi Nguyen, PhD is driven by a belief that people do their best work when they can find meaning and connection in what they do—through professional pursuits, community engagement, and often a combination of the two. Thi is a neuroscientist, educator, and strategist who helps researchers navigate professional growth and communicate their research and career stories with clarity and impact.
Thi has helped shape how researchers approach career decision-making and science communication at more than 20 organizations globally and brings experience across academic, industry, and nonprofit science ecosystems in the Bay Area, Boston, and St. Louis. Her work spans facilitation, training program design, digital storytelling, and cross-sector partnerships, with a focus on creating accessible, engaging learning experiences. She works with faculty, research leaders, HR specialists, and community-based educators.
Her work has been supported by the NIH, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, CZI, TEDxSt Louis, BioSTL, USDA, and National Geographic. She is the creator of InterSECT Job Sims, Strategy4Scientists, and Level Up self-coaching cards. Thi holds dual degrees in psychology and biology from UT Austin, a PhD in neuroscience from UT Southwestern Medical Center, and completed a postdoc in cardiovascular disease from the Gladstone Institutes.
Her community-based work includes grant writing for K-12 school gardens, developing curriculum and instructing industry bioscience skills to individuals who are underemployed, and introducing US-based work systems to refugees and asylum seekers. She is also a dedicated mom and wife. Her story is one of continuous growth, aligning personal values with career goals, and striving to make a positive impact. Thi’s journey exemplifies the power of curiosity and the courage to explore new paths.
My Work
-
We work with research groups and training programs to develop workshops , facilitate trainings, and provide coaching specifically tailored for researchers (faculty, postdocs, and grad students). We specialize in inclusive storytelling, engaging and equitable education, and supportive and strategic career transitions.
-
We love teaching and learning at all ages and have worked with K-12, community college, and universities to support teaching efforts, develop lesson plans, and get funding and resources for classrooms to help teachers do what they do best.
-
We work with non-profits, schools, and universities to create community-focused educational programs in bioscience skill development, urban agriculture and nutrition, environmental action and storytelling. We develop curricula, create multimedia resources, and deliver train the trainers. Our speciality is bridging community partners and educational institutions to create a win-win partnership.
-
We provide mentoring and mentoring frameworks for professionals at all stages from early career scientists to professors. We have designed and implemented mentoring programs and courses at several universities across the U.S. We also advise on a cross-African mentoring program for scientists.
