Medieval Historian Misa Nguyễn Joins Baylor's Department of History

The Department of History is pleased to welcome Misa Nguyễn as Assistant Professor of History. A medieval historian whose research explores the intersections of medicine, religion, and women's experiences in Late Antiquity, Nguyễn joins Baylor after completing her Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Nguyễn specializes in the history of medicine and women in the late antique Mediterranean world, a period spanning roughly the third through the seventh centuries CE. Her work bridges the worlds of the Roman Empire and the early medieval era, examining how social, religious, and medical ideas shaped daily life.

Originally a pre-med student, Nguyễn discovered that her passion lay elsewhere. "I realized that I would miss writing essays and learning dead languages far more than I would miss memorizing physiological concepts," she said. While she jokes that she became a historian so she "wouldn't have to talk to living people," she ultimately found joy in helping others connect with the people of the distant past. "I love being able to bring the past alive for people and spark a moment of connection to another human who has been dead for a thousand years or more."

This fall, Nguyễn will teach HIS 1300: Mothers, Medicine, & Meaning, a course examining the history of pregnancy and childbirth in the United States from 1776 to 2026. The course explores how debates surrounding medicine, authority, and healing have both reflected and shaped broader conversations in American society. Questions like these, “reflect broader debates going on in both the United States and the world beyond," she explained, noting that discussions about trust in medicine and alternative sources of healing remain just as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

Asked what she is most looking forward to at Baylor, Nguyễn emphasized the people. She is excited to join a department filled with colleagues who are passionate about both teaching and research and looks forward to getting to know students in Baylor's smaller classroom environment. "Baylor's focus on the formation of the whole person means that I'm really looking forward to small classes where I can get to know my students as both historians and young adults," she said.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Misa Nguyễn to the Department of History. We look forward to the contributions she will make through her teaching, research, and mentorship of Baylor students.