Dr Ai Nguyen
Senior Principal Scientist (EGL Operations Manager)
School of the Environment
+61 7 334 67636
Researcher biography
I am a geochemist working for the Radiogenic Isotope Facility within the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Queensland. I am currently interested in radiogenic isotope and trace element chemistry for paleoclimate and paleoenvironment studies. My work involves development and application of analytical techniques for projects of the RIF clients.
Researcher biography
Dr Ai Nguyen is a geochemist specialising in trace element and isotope analysis, laboratory operations, and geochemical method development. He manages the Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory at The University of Queensland, supporting research across Earth and environmental sciences with high-precision elemental data.
Dr Nguyen has supported a wide range of research across geoscience, environmental science, and interdisciplinary fields. His analytical expertise contributes to projects involving resource exploration, environmental monitoring, materials science, and the development of new technologies. He collaborates with researchers from diverse disciplines, including Earth sciences, biomedical research, and energy and resources, to provide high-quality geochemical data that underpins innovative and impactful research
As a senior scientist and laboratory manager, he plays a key role in mentoring HDR students and early-career researchers, and in maintaining quality assurance systems that underpin reliable data and safe operations. His work enhances UQ's analytical capabilities and contributes to sustainable resource and environmental management.
Journal Articles
Nguyen, Quang Loc, Lai, Huy Nguyen, Nguyen, Hong T.M., Pham, Le Long, Herdean, Andrei, Poddar, Nature, Kuzhiumparambil, Unnikrishnan, Nguyen, Ai, Pernice, Mathieu, Ralph, Peter J. and Vo, Phong H.N. (2025). Explainable artificial intelligence for predicting rare earth elements leaching from secondary resources. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 496 139479, 139479. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139479
Alafif, Mohammad S., Hoffman, Louwrens, Cozzolino, Daniel, Abdollahi, M. Reza, Roura, Eugeni, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Soumeh, Elham A. (2025). Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Science, 104 (10) 105506, 105506-10. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105506
Caulfield, John T., Allen, Charlotte M., Ubide, Teresa, Nguyen, Ai and Cathey, Henrietta E. (2025). Compositional heterogeneity in 91500, GJ-1/89 and TEMORA-2 zircon reference materials. Chemical Geology, 674 122580, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2024.122580
Fawale, Samson Olumide, Netzel, Michael E., Nguyen, Ai, Akinsanmi, Olufemi A., Marrie, Henrietta and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2025). Unlocking the Nutritional Potential of Australian Yam (Dioscorea spp.). Food Bioscience, 63 105612, 105612. doi: 10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105612
Yang, Peng, Ren, Zhanli, Nuriel, Perach, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhou, Renjie and Zhao, Jian-xin (2024). Cenozoic faulting leading to petroleum escape in SW Ordos Basin, China: evidence from fault-related calcite in situ U-Pb dating, rare earth elements and fluid inclusions. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 170 107071, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.107071
Pearce, J.K., Hofmann, H., Baublys, K., Cendón, D.I., Golding, S.D., Herbert, S.J., Bhebhe, Z., Nguyen, A. and Hayes, P. (2024). Geochemical tracers associated with methane in aquifers overlying a coal seam gas reservoir. International Journal of Coal Geology, 289 104535, 104535. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2024.104535
Su, Ao, Wang, Zecheng, Chen, Honghan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Jiang, Hua, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Sun, Peng (2024). Temporal constraints on hydrothermal circulation associated with strike-slip faulting in the Permian Maokou carbonates, central Sichuan Basin (SW China). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 160 106643. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106643
Imran, Maryam, Nguyen, Ai and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2023). Quantification of rare earth elements in Australian and imported rice samples from different origins using ICP-MS. Science of the Total Environment, 895 164865, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164865
Hofmann, Axel, Bolhar, Robert, Kuznetsov, Anton B., Jodder, Jaganmoy, Butler, Mike and Nguyen, Ai (2023). A craton-wide geochemical study of Neoarchaean carbonate rocks of Zimbabwe. Chemical Geology, 634 121587. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121587
Su, Ao, Chen, Honghan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Lei, Mingzhu and Nguyen, Ai Duc (2023). Distal accumulation of leaked gas from deep overpressured zone：the case of the Yanan Sag, Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 151 106181, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106181
Su, Ao, Chen, Honghan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin and Nguyen, Ai Duc (2022). Multistage fracturing history in the Paleocene lacustrine shale oil reservoirs of the Subei Basin, Eastern China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 144 105835, 1-24. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2022.105835
Salas-Saavedra, Marcos, Webb, Gregory E., Sanborn, Kelsey L., Zhao, Jian-xin, Webster, Jody M., Nothdurft, Luke D. and Nguyen, Ai (2022). Holocene microbialite geochemistry records > 6000 years of secular influence of terrigenous flux on water quality for the southern Great Barrier Reef. Chemical Geology, 604 120871, 120871. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.120871
Luo, Kai, Zhou, Jia-Xi, Sun, Guotao, Nguyen, Ai and Qin, Zhong-Xiang (2022). The metallogeny of the Devonian sediment-hosted sulfide deposits, South China: A case study of the Huodehong deposit. Ore Geology Reviews, 143 104747, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.104747
An, Yun-Lin, Luo, Kai, Zhou, Jia-Xi, Nguyen, Ai, Lu, Mao-Da, Meng, Qing-Tian and An, Qi (2022). Origin of the Devonian carbonate-hosted Banbianjie Ge-Zn deposit, Guizhou Province, South China: geological, mineralogical and geochemical constraints. Ore Geology Reviews, 142 104696, 104696. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.104696
Su, Ao, Chen, Honghan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Wang, Zecheng, Hu, Mingyi, Jiang, Hua and Duc Nguyen, Ai (2022). In situ U-Pb dating and geochemical characterization of multi-stage dolomite cementation in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation, Central Sichuan Basin, China: constraints on diagenetic, hydrothermal and paleo-oil filling events. Precambrian Research, 368 106481, 106481. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106481
Price, Gilbert J., Fitzsimmons, Kathryn E., Nguyen, Ai Duc, Zhao, Jian-xin, Feng, Yue-xing, Sobbe, Ian H., Godthelp, Henk, Archer, Michael and Hand, Suzanne J. (2021). New ages of the world's largest-ever marsupial: Diprotodon optatum from Pleistocene Australia. Quaternary International, 603, 64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.quaint.2021.06.013
Su, Ao, Chen, Honghan, Zhao, Jian-xin, Feng, Yue-xing and Nguyen, Ai Duc (2021). Exhumation filling and paleo-pasteurization of the shallow petroleum system in the North Slope of the Biyang Sag, Nanxiang Basin, China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 133 105267, 105267. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105267
Yang, Pang, Ren, Zhanli, Zhao, Jianxin, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Feng, Yuexing, Qi, Kai and Wang, Kun (2021). Tectonic evolution analysis constrained jointly by in-situ calcite U-Pb dating and apatite fission track for southwestern Ordos Basin. Oil and Gas Geology, 42 (5), 1189-1201. doi: 10.11743/ogg20210516
Han, Zhengdong, Edraki, Mansour, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Mostert, Marietjie (2021). Efficiency of acid digestion procedures for geochemical analysis of tungsten mining wastes. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 21 (3) geochem2021-034, 1-12. doi: 10.1144/geochem2021-034
Adams, Shaun, Westaway, Michael C., McGahan, David, Williams, Doug, Zhao, Jian-Xin, Feng, Yuexing, Nguyen, Ai, Pearce, John, Flinders, Clarence and Collard, Mark (2021). Isotopic analyses of prehistoric human remains from the Flinders Group, Queensland, Australia, support an association between burial practices and status. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 13 (7) 121. doi: 10.1007/s12520-021-01376-3
Yang, Peng, Wu, Guanghui, Nuriel, Perach, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Chen, Yongquan, Yang, Shuai, Feng, Yue-xing, Ren, Zhanli and Zhao, Jian-xin (2021). In situ LA-ICPMS U–Pb dating and geochemical characterization of fault-zone calcite in the central Tarim Basin, northwest China: implications for fluid circulation and fault reactivation. Chemical Geology, 568 120125, 120125. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2021.120125
Saha, Narottam, Webb, Gregory E., Zhao, Jian-Xin, Lewis, Stephen E., Duc Nguyen, Ai and Feng, Yuexing (2021). Spatiotemporal variation of rare earth elements from river to reef continuum aids monitoring of terrigenous sources in the Great Barrier Reef. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 299, 85-112. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2021.02.014
Yang, Peng, Zhao, J. X., Nuriel, Perach, Uysal, I. Tonguç, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Zhou, Renjie, Feng, Yue-Xing, Wu, Guanghui, Ren, Zhanli and Xia, Bin (2021). Calcite in situ U-Pb dating and its application in oil and gas exploration of marine carbonate strata . Geological Review, 67, 254-256. doi: 10.16509/j.georeview.2021.s1.112
Frery, Emanuelle, Fryer, Patricia, Kurz, Walter, Nguyen, Ai, Sissmann, Olivier, Uysal, Tonguc and Zhao, J. (2021). Episodicity of structural flow in an active subduction system, new insights from mud volcano's carbonate veins – Scientific Ocean drilling expedition IODP 366. Marine Geology, 434 106431, 106431. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106431
Davis, Brooke A., Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan S., Nguyen, Ai D., Duxbury, Alexander J. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2021). Geochemistry of apatite in Late Permian coals, Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 237 103708, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103708
Liu, Entao, Uysal, I. Tonguç, Wang, Hua, Feng, Yuexing, Pan, Songqi, Yan, Detian, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Zhao, Jian-xin (2021). Timing and characterization of multiple fluid flow events in the Beibuwan Basin, northern South China Sea: implications for hydrocarbon maturation. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 123 104754, 104754. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104754
Su, Ao, Chen, Honghan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Wang, Zecheng and Long, Xiaoping (2020). Dating and characterizing primary gas accumulation in Precambrian dolomite reservoirs, Central Sichuan Basin, China: Insights from pyrobitumen Re-Os and dolomite U-Pb geochronology. Precambrian Research, 350 105897, 105897. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2020.105897
Luo, Kai, Zhou, Jia-Xi, Feng, Yue-Xing, Uysal, I. Tonguc, Nguyen, Ai, Zhao, Jian-Xin and Zhang, Jiawei (2020). In situ U-Pb dating of calcite from the South China antimony metallogenic belt. iScience, 23 (10) 101575, 101575. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101575
Liao, Wei, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Jiang, Ting-yun, Yao, Yan-yan, Liang, Hua, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Bae, Christopher J. and Wang, Wei (2020). Combined U-series dating of cave pearls and mammal fossils: Constraint on the age of a late middle pleistocene Ailuropoda–Stegodon fauna from the Diaozhongyan Cave, Guangxi, South China. Quaternary Geochronology, 60 101111, 101111. doi: 10.1016/j.quageo.2020.101111
Leonard, Nicole D., Lepore, Mauro L., Zhao, Jian-xin, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Butler, Ian R., Clark, Tara R., Roff, George, McCook, Laurence, Nguyen, Ai D., Feng, Yuexing and Pandolfi, John M. (2020). Re-evaluating mid-Holocene reef “turn-off” on the inshore Southern Great Barrier Reef. Quaternary Science Reviews, 244 106518, 106518. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106518
Kendrick, Mark A., Caulfield, John T., Nguyen, Ai D., Zhao, Jian-xin and Blakey, Idriss (2020). Halogen and trace element analysis of carbonate-veins and Fe-oxyhydroxide by LA-ICPMS: Implications for seafloor alteration, Atlantis Bank, SW Indian Ridge. Chemical Geology, 547 119668, 119668. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2020.119668
Gao, Jian, He, Sheng, Zhao, Jian-xin, He, Zhiliang, Wu, Changwu, Fen, Yuexing, Nguyen, Ai Duc , Zhou, Jiaxi and Yi, Zhixing (2020). Sm-Nd isochron dating and geochemical (rare earth elements, Sr-87/Sr-86, delta O-18, delta C-13) characterization of calcite veins in the Jiaoshiba shale gas field, China: implications for the mechanisms of vein formation in shale gas systems. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 132 (7-8), 1722-1740. doi: 10.1130/B32015.1
Leonard, Nicole D., Lepore, Mauro L., Zhao, Jian-xin, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Butler, Ian, Clark, Tara R., Roff, George, McCook, Laurence, Nguyen, Ai D., Feng, Yuexing and Pandolfi, John M. (2020). A U-Th dating approach to understanding past coral reef dynamics and geomorphological constraints on future reef growth potential; Mazie Bay, Southern Great Barrier Reef. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, 35 (2) e2019PA003768. doi: 10.1029/2019PA003768
Leonard, N. D., Welsh, K. J., Nguyen, A. D., Sadler, J., Pandolfi, J. M., Clark, T. R., Zhao, J. X., Feng, Y. X. and Webb, G. E. (2019). High resolution geochemical analysis of massive Porites spp. corals from the Wet Tropics, Great Barrier Reef: rare earth elements, yttrium and barium as indicators of terrigenous input. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149 110634, 110634. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110634
Yan, Shuang, Zhou, Renjie, Niu, He-Cai, Feng, Yue-xing, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Zhao, Zhen-hua, Yang, Wu-Bin, Dong, Qian and Zhao, Jian-xin (2019). LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of low-U garnets reveals multiple episodes of skarn formation in the volcanic-hosted iron mineralization system, Awulale belt, Central Asia. GSA Bulletin, 132 (5-6) 2019TC005560, 1031-1045. doi: 10.1130/b35214.1
Ward, Jack F., Verdel, Charles, Campbell, Matthew J., Leonard, Nicole and Duc Nguyen, Ai (2019). Rare earth element geochemistry of Australian Neoproterozoic carbonate: constraints on the Neoproterozoic oxygenation events. Precambrian Research, 335 105471, 105471. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2019.105471
Saha, Narottam, Webb, Gregory E., Zhao, Jian-Xin, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Lewis, Stephen E. and Lough, Janice M. (2019). Coral-based high-resolution rare earth element proxy for terrestrial sediment discharge affecting coastal seawater quality, Great Barrier Reef. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 254, 173-191. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2019.04.004
Adams, Shaun, Grün, Rainer, McGahan, David, Zhao, Jian-Xin, Feng, Yuexing, Nguyen, Ai, Willmes, Malte, Quaresimin, Michael, Lobsey, Brett, Collard, Mark and Westaway, Michael C. (2019). A strontium isoscape of north-east Australia for human provenance and repatriation. Geoarchaeology, 34 (3), 231-251. doi: 10.1002/gea.21728
Yan, Shuang, Zhao, Jian‐xin, Lau, A.Y. Annie, Roff, George, Leonard, Nicole D., Clark, Tara R., Nguyen, Ai D., Feng, Yue‐xing, Wei, Gangjian, Deng, Wenfeng and Chen, Xuefei (2019). Episodic reef growth in the northern South China Sea linked to warm climate during the past 7000 years: potential for future coral refugia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 124 (4) 2018JG004939, 1032-1043. doi: 10.1029/2018jg004939
Weisler, Marshall I., Hua, Quan, Zhao, Jian-xin, Nguyen, Ai Duc, Nothdurft, Luke, Yamano, Hiroya and Mihaljević, Morana (2017). Marine reservoir correction for the southern Marshall Islands for the past 2500 years. Radiocarbon, 60 (1), 333-348. doi: 10.1017/RDC.2017.63
Razak, Tries B., Mumby, Peter J. , Nguyen, Ai D., Zhao, Jian‑Xin, Lough, Janice M., Cantin, Neal E. and Roff, George (2017). Use of skeletal Sr/Ca ratios to determine growth patterns in a branching coral Isopora palifera. Marine Biology, 164 (4) 96. doi: 10.1007/s00227-017-3099-8
Sadler, James, Nguyen, Ai D., Leonard, Nicole D., Webb, Gregory E. and Nothdurft, Luke D. (2016). Acropora interbranch skeleton Sr/Ca ratios: evaluation of a potential new high-resolution paleothermometer. Paleoceanography, 31 (4), 505-517. doi: 10.1002/2015PA002898
Clark, Tara R., Leonard, Nicole D., Zhao, Jian-xin, Brodie, Jon, McCook, Laurence J., Wachenfeld, David R., Nguyen, Ai Duc, Markham, Hannah L. and Pandolfi, John M. (2016). Historical photographs revisited: a case study for dating and characterizing recent loss of coral cover on the inshore Great Barrier Reef. Scientific Reports, 6 (1) 19285, 19285.1-19285.14. doi: 10.1038/srep19285
Uenal-Imer, Ezgi, Shulmeister, James, Zhao, Jian-Xin, Uysal, I. Tonguc, Feng, Yue-Xing, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Yuece, Galip (2015). Erratum: An 80 kyr-long continuous speleothem record from Dim Cave, SW Turkey with paleoclimatic implications for the Eastern Mediterranean. Scientific Reports, 5 (1) 15595. doi: 10.1038/srep15595
Price, Gilbert J., Louys, Julien, Cramb, Jonathan, Feng, Yue-xing, Zhao, Jian-xin, Hocknull, Scott A., Webb, Gregory E., Nguyen, Ai Duc and Joannes-Boyau, Renaud (2015). Temporal overlap of humans and giant lizards (Varanidae; Squamata) in Pleistocene Australia. Quaternary Science Reviews, 125, 98-105. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.08.013
Unal-Imer, Ezgi, Shulmeister, James, Zhao, Jian-Xin, Tonguc Uysal, I., Feng, Yue-Xing, Duc Nguyen, Ai and Yuce, Galip (2015). An 80 kyr-long continuous speleothem record from Dim Cave, SW Turkey with paleoclimatic implications for the Eastern Mediterranean. Scientific Reports, 5 (Art No.: 13560) 13560, 13560. doi: 10.1038/srep13560
Nguyen, A. D., Zhao, J-x, Feng, Y-x, Hu, W-p, Yu, K-f, Gasparon, M., Pham, T. B. and Clark, T. R. (2013). Impact of recent coastal development and human activities on Nha Trang Bay (Vietnam): evidence from a Porites lutea geochemical record. Coral Reefs, 32 (1), 181-193. doi: 10.1007/s00338-012-0962-4
Conference Papers
Imran, M., Nguyen, A. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2024). Rare earth elements in rice samples in Australian market from different origins. 57th Nutrition Society of New Zealand and 47th Nutrition Society of Australia Joint Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland, New Zealand, 28 November – 1 December 2023. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s0029665124002003
Ristevski, Jorgo, Price, Gilbert J., Sobbe, Ian H., Molnar, Ralph E., Louys, Julien, Cramb, Jonathan, Nguyen, Ai D., Zhao, Jian-xin, Feng, Yue-xing and Beirne, Laurence (2019). A new ziphodont eusuchian from the Pleistocene of Queensland, and implications for Australasia’s ziphodont crocodylian diversity. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 79th Annual Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-12 October 2019.
Nguyen, A. D., Gasparon, M. and Baumgartl, T. (2006). Chemical and mechanical stability of waste rock at the Mole River Arsenic Mine, Australia. Fourteenth Annual JKMRC Postgraduate Conference and Second JKMRC International Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 7-8 March 2006. Brisbane, Qld.: Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre.
Nguyen, A. D. and Gasparon, M. (2005). Arsenic mobility at the Mole River Mine, Australia. Second International Congress of Chemistry and Environment, Indore, India, 24 - 26 December 2005. India: Research Journal of Chmistry and Environment.