Pushing the Boundaries of Peptide Chemistry
LAS Chemist Sheds Light on Nature’s Building Blocks with NSF Award
Interview with Andy Nguyen Heading link
For Dr. Andy Nguyen, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), a lifelong passion for discovery began with a discarded textbook.
As a high school student, Nguyen stumbled upon an old chemistry book in a stack of books his uncle was giving away. Flipping through the pages, he was immediately drawn to the vivid reactions—colors changing, phase transformations, and even controlled explosions. But it wasn’t just the visuals that captivated him; it was the realization that chemistry could be explored hands-on. Soon, he built a makeshift lab in his parent’s garage, conducting experiments like isolating metal salts using household items.
That early curiosity grew into a deep scientific pursuit. As an undergraduate, Nguyen’s research experiences showed him how chemistry could have a tangible impact on society, setting him on a path that recently earned him the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for his groundbreaking work on peptides.
Now leading a research lab at UIC, Nguyen and his team are uncovering the fundamental rules governing peptide assembly—an effort that could revolutionize clean energy and medicine materials. Peptides, smaller versions of proteins and enzymes, hold immense potential for engineering sophisticated, nature-inspired materials. However, their complex chemistry has long posed a challenge. His research aims to overcome these obstacles, making peptide assembly more predictable and designable.
“The CAREER Award recognizes and funds our group’s work to design robust strategies for building new peptide-based materials,” Nguyen explains. “With this support, we can explore riskier ideas, ask more fundamental questions, and push the field in exciting new directions.”
Nguyen received this recognition and several other major awards, including a Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award and a National Institute of General Medical Sciences Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA). Each award supports different aspects of his work, from a better understanding of how proteins function to exploring whether peptide assemblies can rival or even surpass enzyme capabilities.
Yet, for all the breakthroughs, surprises remain constant. “Almost everything has surprised us,” he says. “To be successful in research, you have to stay open-minded and well-read. The most impactful discoveries often aren’t obvious at first.”
Beyond his research, Nguyen is deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of scientists. His goal is to equip students with critical problem-solving skills, resilience, and intellectual curiosity—qualities that will serve them well in any career.
And while the awards honor his leadership, Nguyen is quick to credit his team. “Many of the major discoveries along the way came from my graduate students, undergraduates, and postdocs. Their hard work and ingenuity are the reason these awards are possible.”
From an impromptu garage lab to pioneering peptide chemistry, Nguyen’s journey reflects a relentless pursuit of knowledge that shapes the future of materials science.