Engineering grad wants to develop next generation of electronic, quantum devices
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2025 graduates.
As an electrical engineering major in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, Hanson Nguyen pursued every opportunity in his path.
He chose to pursue his passions of engineering and physics at the Fulton Schools because of its inclusive, supportive and collaborative academic community.
“The school’s network allowed me to workshop my interests, explore new ideas and grow as a researcher in a way that encouraged both independence and collaboration,” Nguyen says.
During his time at ASU, Nguyen earned the Goldwater Scholarship, the Outstanding Undergraduate Award at the Fulton Forge Student Research Expo, was a New American University National Merit recipient and was a founding member of the Quantum Club. He participated in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program and the Engineering Projects in Community Service program. He was also part of the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, where he conducted solar research at the ASU Research Park. In addition, he supported his peers in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering as a student ambassador.
“My experiences have not only shaped my path but also positioned me to support others,” he says. “As a first-generation student, I aim to mentor undergraduates, helping them navigate research and explore their interests. Through programs supported by ASU’s inclusive environment, I’ve been able to demonstrate that opportunities in STEM are accessible for students from all backgrounds, and I hope to continue creating spaces where others can succeed.”
He cites publishing three first-author journal papers, two conference abstracts and receiving the Goldwater Scholarship as his biggest academic achievements.
Nguyen credits the influence of Fulton Schools Assistant Professor Nick Rolston on his growth as a student and for sparking his research interests.
“Dr. Rolston was instrumental in guiding my research career and inspired me to pursue a PhD early on during my undergraduate career,” he says. “Through his guidance, I was able to navigate academic research as a first-generation student and develop the confidence, technical skills and curiosity that continue to drive my work today.”
Outside of ASU, Nguyen interned as a research assistant through the MIT Summer Research Program and worked as a visiting scholar at Purdue University, contributing to projects on superconducting nanowires and quantum photonics.
After graduating, Nguyen will intern at Argonne National Laboratory while applying to graduate programs with aspirations of conducting research as a doctoral student in quantum photonics.
“In the long term, I hope to work on developing the next generation of electronic and quantum devices that go beyond the limits of today’s transistors,” he says.
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