David Nguyen

David Nguyen began his role as Data Scientist at the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) in January 2023.

As Data Scientist, Nguyen works closely with the Assistant Director of Research and Evaluation and NSWERS’ partner organizations to plan, organize, and execute research and evaluation functions. This includes both conducting and providing oversight for the technical quality of data analysis. 

Additionally, he provides in-house research design and quantitative measurement expertise and creates a robust research dissemination approach to inform public policy and educational practice in alignment with NSWERS’ research priorities.

Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He is currently in the biology doctoral program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

What author, researcher, or scientist is most influential to you in your work at NSWERS?

Clayton E. Cressler.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I show up. Every success I’ve had stems from showing up and trying.

If I wasn’t in my field of work, I would probably be:

A research scientist.

What gets you up in the morning?

Running.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?

I don’t think people have misconceptions about data scientists because no one knows what they do.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An artist.

If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?

Google Maps, Spotify, and Libby.

What is a fun or interesting fact about your hometown?

Vancouver, Washington is the first Vancouver, not Vancouver, British Columbia.