Cuong Nguyen is a food scientist and UC Agricultural and Natural Resources Advisor specializing in food safety, microbiology, and organic production. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of California, Davis, along with graduate training from Tokyo University of Agriculture and an undergraduate degree from the University of Agriculture in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In his current role, Cuong leads innovative research on emerging food safety hazards in California's low desert region, with a particular focus on organic farming systems. His work spans compost and manure safety, wildlife intrusion risk, and sustainable pest management strategies such as biosolarization. He also directs extension programs serving underrepresented farming communities, including tribal lands.

A published researcher with contributions to leading food science journals, Cuong has expertise in non-thermal processing, antimicrobial technologies, and FSMA compliance, bridging rigorous science with practical agricultural applications.