About

Viet Nguyen is a University Professor, Aerol Arnold Chair of English, and Professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity, and Comparative Literature at USC Dornsife. His research interests include war and memory, race and ethnicity, multiculturalism and identity, transnationalism and diaspora, Asian American literature and culture, and international and comparative approaches to the Vietnam War and the Vietnamese diaspora. Nguyen has a strong focus on multimedia and pedagogy, integrating innovative teaching methods and digital projects into his academic work. He is the author of several acclaimed works, including the novel The Sympathizer, which is a New York Times bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as other honors such as the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence. His book Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War was a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and received multiple awards. Nguyen's scholarly contributions extend to editing and writing on Vietnamese and diasporic arts, culture, and politics, and he actively participates in academic and artistic communities through co-directing the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network and editing the blog diaCRITICS. His work often explores themes of war, memory, ethnicity, and diaspora, with a particular emphasis on multimedia and innovative pedagogical approaches.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Computer Science
• Surgery
• Medical physics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Radiology
• Visual arts
• Intensive care medicine
• Psychology
• Cardiology

Selected publications

• Reply by Authors

  The Journal of Urology · 2026-03-09

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Comparative evaluation of temperature generation during laser lithotripsy: thulium fiber laser, pulsed thulium: YAG, and holmium: YAG with pulse modulation in an ex vivo porcine kidney model

  Urolithiasis · 2026-03-02 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy results in heat generation, raising concern for thermal injury. As laser platforms evolve, comparative assessment of their thermal profiles is increasingly important. This study presents the first comparative evaluation of temperature generation using three contemporary systems: pulsed thulium: YAG (Tm: YAG; Dornier Thulio), thulium fiber laser (TFL; Olympus SOLTIVE), holmium: YAG with pulse modulation (MOSES 2.0; Boston Scientific MOSES 2.0) using manufacturer-recommended dusting settings in an ex vivo porcine kidney model. Eighteen porcine kidney–ureter units were implanted with renal pelvic temperature probes and Bego stones. Specimens were randomized to one of three lithotripsy systems (n = 6 per group; one MOSES specimen excluded). A flexible ureteroscope was introduced via a 35 cm 10/12Fr ureteral access sheath, followed by 10 min of near-continuous dusting using 200 μm fibers (0.3 J/50Hz for TFL and Tm: YAG; 0.3 J/60 Hz for MOSES 2.0). Pressurized irrigation was maintained at 100-150mmHg. Outcomes included absolute temperature change, total energy delivered, and temperature increase normalized to energy (°C/kJ). The greatest mean temperature rise was observed with TFL (8.13 ± 1.96 °C), followed by pulsed Tm: YAG (4.12 ± 1.26 °C) and MOSES 2.0 (3.32 ± 1.84 °C). TFL demonstrated significantly greater heat generation than Tm: YAG (p = 0.0031) and MOSES 2.0 (p = 0.0010). When temperature was adjusted for energy delivery, TFL (1.09 ± 0.30 °C/kJ) surpassed both Tm: YAG (0.47 ± 0.14 °C/kJ; p = 0.0007) and MOSES 2.0 (0.31 ± 0.18 °C/kJ; p = 0.0001). No specimen exceeded temperatures of 43 °C. In this ex vivo setting, TFL was associated with higher heat generation relative to both pulsed Tm: YAG and MOSES 2.0; however, all systems remained below accepted thermal safety thresholds under the tested conditions (43 °C).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Differential gene regulation by SR12813 and rifampicin: Insights into PXR and PPARγ activation and metabolic pathway modulation in LS180 colon cancer cells

  Drug Metabolism and Disposition · 2026-02-04

  articleOpen access

  SR12813 is an experimental cholesterol-lowering drug that reduces intracellular cholesterol through accelerated proteasomal degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and is also recognized as a prototypical activator of the pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2). Rifampicin, a clinically used antibiotic, likewise functions as a human PXR agonist. Although PXR-mediated induction of drug metabolism genes has been extensively characterized in hepatocytes and humanized mouse liver, comparatively little is known about the transcriptional effects of these ligands in intestinal and colon cancer cells. Here, we used RNA-sequencing in LS180 colon adenocarcinoma cells to compare transcriptional responses elicited by SR12813 and rifampicin. Both compounds induced canonical PXR targets, including CYP3A4, UGT1A1, and MDR1 (P-glycoprotein), whereas SR12813 preferentially upregulated genes associated with ketone body metabolism, lipid storage, and glycolysis. Complementary nuclear receptor reporter assays demonstrated that, in addition to robust PXR activation, SR12813 also functions as a partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, a receptor with critical roles in lipid metabolism and colon cancer biology. These findings demonstrate that SR12813 elicits overlapping, yet distinct transcriptional profiles relative to rifampicin, extending beyond xenobiotic metabolism to include metabolic pathways relevant to tumor progression. Collectively, our results highlight SR12813 as a dual-acting modulator of PXR and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and underscore its utility as a pharmacological tool for investigating nuclear receptor crosstalk in intestinal models. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: SR12813 activates both pregnane X receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, demonstrating dual nuclear receptor modulation in colon cancer cells. By linking xenobiotic metabolism with lipid and mitochondrial pathways, this work uncovers previously unreported receptor crosstalk and provides a mechanistic framework for how diverse ligands can differentially shape transcriptional programs relevant to drug metabolism and tumor biology.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract PS2-13-05: Transcriptomic regulation by pregnane x receptor drives pro-migratory signaling in human breast cancer cells

  Clinical Cancer Research · 2026-02-17

  article

  Abstract The expression and activation of the nuclear receptor Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) has been linked with poor outcomes in human breast cancer. While PXR's canonical role in drug metabolism is well defined in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, its contribution to tumor progression is less understood. We sought to define transcriptomic regulation mediated by PXR in breast cancer cells and its potential impact on metastasis. Triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells were engineered to stably overexpress human PXR and treated with the agonist rifampicin. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant transcriptional changes compared with controls. KEGG and Gene Ontology enrichment identified pathways associated with cytoskeleton remodeling, adhesion complex components, and motility regulators. A panel of ten genes previously implicated in cancer cell migration was consistently up regulated (log2FC > 1.7; p <0.05). Post-hoc qPCR validation confirmed these results. Collectively, these data indicate that PXR expression enhances pro-migratory transcriptional pathways in breast tumor cells, providing mechanistic insight into its potential role as a driver of breast cancer metastasis and contributor to poor prognosis. Citation Format: C. E. Elliott, D. Brobst, V. Nguyen, C. Ballard, A. Youssef, W. Dye, R. M. Bodily, A. Ko, J. L. Staudinger, B. A. Creamer. Transcriptomic regulation by pregnane x receptor drives pro-migratory signaling in human breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-13-05.

  PublisherDOI

• The Role of Diagnostic Spinal Angiography for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Clinical Case Series in Patients Undergoing Staged Complex Endovascular Repairs

  Neurosurgery Open · 2025-09-24

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord ischemia affects up to 40% of patients undergoing repair of complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). Preoperative identification of key segmental spinal artery contributors may guide the design of custom fenestrated graft constructs or extra-anatomic bypass. Despite the high resolution provided by diagnostic spinal angiography, it is infrequently performed. We describe the safety, feasibility, diagnostic, and treatment outcomes for a case series of spinal angiography performed before complex endovascular TAAA repair. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients who underwent preoperative spinal angiography before endovascular repair of their aortic aneurysms between July 2022 and December 2023. All patients had previously undergone either open and/or endovascular treatment of their aortic aneurysms. RESULTS: Nine patients (mean age 64.7 ± 9.9 years) underwent spinal angiography before endovascular repair of their TAAA. The anterior spinal artery was identified in 4 (44%) cases and the posterior spinal artery in one (11%) patient. There were no complications attributed to the angiograms. Eight (89%) patients underwent subsequent endovascular aortic repair with one segmental artery (right T11) successfully incorporated into the stent construct. Two (20%) patients had unfavorable branch angles/stenosis at the segmental artery origin for stenting. One (11%) patient had symptomatic postoperative spinal ischemia. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic spinal angiography can safely help identify spinal arterial contributors in complex TAAA patients who have undergone previous aortic intervention. Given improvements in fenestrated endovascular technology and extra-anatomic bypass, there are burgeoning tools to prioritize the preservation of blood flow to the spinal cord in preoperative planning.

  PublisherDOI

• Does Increasing Size of Bougienage Improve Response to Esophageal Dilation?

  Current Gastroenterology Reports · 2025-06-11

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  PublisherDOI

• A single-center study of the RED 72 reperfusion catheter with SENDit technology in proximal large vessel occlusions

  Interventional Neuroradiology · 2025-07-21 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  BackgroundDelivery assist catheters are a new class of devices designed to better navigate tortuous segments and reach the clot interface in mechanical thrombectomy. The RED 72 aspiration catheter with SENDit technology is one such example. SENDit is a novel tapered obturator used instead of a microcatheter to bring up the RED 72. It was designed to speed materials setup and overcome "ledge" effect. This case series aims to assess the safety, efficacy, and associated materials costs of SENDit in a postmarket study.MethodsThis was a single-institution retrospective case series of endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusions affecting the internal carotid artery, M1, or M2 treated with SENDit between August 2023 and May 2024. Demographic, clinical, and cost variables were collected.ResultsMedian time from groin puncture to first pass was 14.0 min, and median time from groin puncture to recanalization was 25.0 min. Modified first-pass effect (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 51.4% of cases. The final recanalization mTICI ≥2b rate was 91.9%. A stentriever was required for 10.8% of cases. The rate of functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 3 months follow-up was 43.8%. The average materials cost per case was $7517.40 ± $2795.25; 10.8% of patients experienced access site complications. There was no artery dissection, and the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was 5.4%.ConclusionIn this case series, SENDit achieved a high rate of first pass effect, rapid recanalization, and low stentriever use and materials cost. It is safe given the low rate of procedural complications and favorable clinical outcomes. Delivery assist catheters are a promising alternative to stentrievers.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• E-166 Mobile stroke unit computed tomography angiography facilitates triage without delaying care or thrombectomy

  2025-07-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• P-033 Morphologic features associated with ischemic stroke in a matched case-control study of carotid webs

  2025-07-01

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  PublisherDOI

• Surgical and Other Therapeutic Minimalism: Reducing the Risk

  Neurosurgery · 2025-09-18

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Nickalus R. Khan

  Neurological Surgery

  203 shared

• Adam S Arthur

  University of Tennessee Health Science Center

  148 shared

• Brandy Vaughn

  Le Bonheur Children's Hospital

  129 shared

• Hassan Saad

  Emory University

  119 shared

• Chesney S. Oravec

  117 shared

• Jock Lillard

  Semmes Murphey Foundation

  117 shared

• Mustafa Motiwala

  110 shared

• Kenneth A. Moore

  101 shared

Education

• Open Cerebrovascular Fellowship, Neurosurgery

  University of Southern California

  2024

• Endovascular Neurosurgery Fellowship, Neurosurgery

  University of Southern California

  2023

• Resident, Neurosurgery

  University of Tennessee Health Science Center

  2022

Awards & honors

• MacArthur Fellow (2018-2022)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Guggenheim Fellow for 2017-2018
• Fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies (2011-20…
• Rene Wellek Prize for an outstanding work of comparative lit…