Irene Nguyen is a dual B.A./M.A. candidate in Art History at Rutgers University, where she will graduate in May 2026. Her research centers on cultural heritage and museum studies, with a particular focus on Vietnamese and Asian art. Inspired by her heritage, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented cultural narratives and exploring how art and material culture preserve community identity across time and place.
In and around Rutgers, Irene has built museum experience through her work at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, the Rutgers Geology Museum, and the Cornelius Low House Museum. In these roles, she has assisted with research, projects, and public outreach, bridging academic study with professional practice. Her current M.A. thesis examines the preservation of cultural traditions and community heritage among Vietnamese refugees in California following the Vietnam War, drawing on both archival sources and community-based perspectives.
Irene hopes to pursue a career in curatorial work and cultural heritage preservation, where she can contribute to exhibitions and scholarship that highlight diverse voices and global connections in art history. Through her combined academic and professional experiences, she aims to help shape museums as spaces of inclusivity, dialogue, and cross-cultural understanding for generations to come.