Research Projects

 The Health, Empowerment, and Advocacy Lab (HEAL) uses research as a powerful medium to tell stories about people and communities, especially those that have been historically overlooked. To elucidate those stories, the lab integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. These methodologies allow us to see the human behind the data and depict more nuanced narratives of their collective pain and power. While at times conflicting and ambiguous, nuanced and intersecting narratives are where human beings live. At HEAL, these stories are not only meant to connect and inform, but they also serve as powerful facilitators of advocacy, collaboration, and innovation.

Pain and Power are the thematic pillars of Dr. Nguyen's scholarly work. These two inherent characteristics of human life, that to exist is to experience pain and to demonstrate power. As such, HEAL’s research primarily centers on the intersection of multicultural and health psychology, with a specific focus on promoting the health and resilience of BIPOC and linguistic minority communities as they navigate interpersonal and systemic barriers. 

Rooted in the Biopsychosocial framework and Liberation Psychology, we are committed to viewing individuals from minoritized communities as holistic beings—recognizing both their pain and their inherent power. Our focus is twofold: to understand the complex interplay between different types of their pain—physical, social, and emotional—and to explore the forces that promote healing and resilience, such as critical consciousness, sense of belonging, social support, and hope.

In all, HEAL’s research mission seeks to depict the complexities in the life and well-being of marginalized communities and the multifaceted route to promote healing and wellness. Our goal is to advance sophisticated, evidence-based solutions for treatment, prevention, education, and advocacy.