Son Nguyen (he/him)
Assistant Professor College of Arts & Sciences Department of Biological and Physical Sciences Providence
Biography
Son Nguyen earned an A.S. in biology and chemistry from Bunker Hill Community College in 2007, a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2009, and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Tufts University in 2015 in Dr. Clay S. Bennett’s lab working on the total synthesis and methodology in carbohydrate chemistry. Following three years of continued postdoctoral training in chemical biology research in Dr. Paul R. Thompson’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, he accepted a position as an assistant professor of chemistry at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. In the fall of 2024, Nguyen joined Johnson & Wales as an assistant professor in chemistry in the Biological and Physical Sciences Department. At JWU, he teaches different chemistry classes including Foundations in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Nguyen has always envisioned himself as a professor of chemistry. He celebrates the philosophy of education in everything he does, and he has pursued every available opportunity to teach. The pedagogical philosophy that has guided the development of his courses has centered on active learning through student’s engagement. As such, he enthusiastically encourages his students to actively participate in class through problem solving, critical thinking exercises and thought-provoking discussion prompts. Nguyen has worked tirelessly to develop an engaging and impactful curriculum that best facilitates students’ success in the classroom and prepares them for their future endeavors.
Another passion of Nguyen is teaching through undergraduate research. With his background in organic chemistry and biochemistry, he has developed different research projects which are in the interface of organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry. His research topics include chemical probes for protein detection, methodology, total synthesis in carbohydrate chemistry, and analysis of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products. He has successfully mentored several students in his career. With his confidence in and passion for teaching and providing a quality educational experience for every student, he wants to help, advise and encourage all his students not only at studying but also at finding their passions and the right paths for their futures.
Education
PhD, Tufts University
Chemistry
BS, University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Chemistry
Integrity by Design Badge
JWU
Blackboard Ultra Foundation Badge
JWU
REAL Champions badge
JWU
Teaching Excellent Badge
JWU
Certification of NeoGov Course Completion
NeoGov Learn
Mental Health First Aid USA
MHFA
2021 FERPA: Colleges and Universities
US Department of Education
CPR, AED, and First AID certificate
American Heart Associate
Invitation to Senior Toast by Assoicate Director Ian Martin
JWU
Inivitation to Senior Toast by President Marie Bernardo-Sousa
JWU
Excellent in Teaching Award
Hollins Univeristy, Roanoke, VA
Recognition for presenting research at ACS meeting
American Chemical Society
Excellent in Teaching Award
Hollins, University
Honorable mention for the carbohydrate research presentation in the Medicine category
Virginia Academic of Sciences
top award for the biochemistry research project in the Medicine category
Virginia Academic of Sciences
With Your Help Award
Hollins University
Excellent in Teaching Award
Hollins University
The Hiter Harris III Rising Star Award
The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges
“Chemistry Majors Showcase Their Research at ACS Spring 2023.” Nguyen, S. (March, 2023)
https://www.hollins.edu/chemistry-majors-showcase-their-research-at-acs-spring-2023/
“Newsletter Spring 2022.” Nguyen, S. (2022)
https://acscarb.org/resources/carb-newsletters/
“Hollins Chemistry Students, Faculty Featured at ACS National Meeting.” Nguyen, S. (March, 2022)
https://www.hollins.edu/news/hollins-chemistry-students-faculty-featured-at-acs-national-meeting/
“Virginia Academy of Science Honors Hollins Student Researchers.” Nguyen, S. (November, 2021)
https://www.hollins.edu/news/virginia-academy-of-science-honors-hollins-student-researchers/
Massachusetts Statewide Scientific Review Committee
ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry
GlycoMIP
ACS Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Chemical Glycobiology
Virginia Academic of Science
Virginia Journal of Science
American Chemical Society
Nemmara, V. & Tilvawala, R. & Salinger, A. & Miller, L. & Nguyen, S. & Weerapana, E. & Thompson, P. (September 21, 2018). Citrullination Inactivates Nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase. (Journal Article).
ACS Chemical Biology, 13(9), 2663-2672.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.8b00578
Tilvawala, R. & Nguyen, S. & Maurais, A. & Nemmara, V. & Nagar, M. & Salinger, A. & Nagpal, S. & Weerapana, E. & Thompson, P. (June, 2018). The Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Citrullinome. (Journal Article).
Cell Chemical Biology, 25(6), 691-704.e6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.03.002
Chu, A. & Nguyen, S. & Sisel, J. & Minciunescu, A. & Bennett, C. (May 17, 2013). Selective Synthesis of 1,2-cis-α-Glycosides without Directing Groups. Application to Iterative Oligosaccharide Synthesis. (Journal Article).
Organic Letters, 15(10), 2566-2569.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol401095k
Nguyen, S. & Trotta, A. & Cao, J. & Straub, T. & Bennett, C. (2012). Direct O-glycosidation of resin bound thioglycosides. (Journal Article).
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 10(12), 2373.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ob06883d
Nogueira, J. & Nguyen, S. & Bennett, C. (June 3, 2011). Cyclopropenium Cation Promoted Dehydrative Glycosylations Using 2-Deoxy- and 2,6-Dideoxy-Sugar Donors. (Journal Article).
Organic Letters, 13(11), 2814-2817.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol200726v
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026, “Attendee – JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (April 21, 2026).
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026, “The Study of Chemical Compounds in the Mainstream Smoke of Herbal Cigarettes,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (April 21, 2026).
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026, “The Study of Nicotine in Commercial Smoking Products,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (April 21, 2026).
RI ACS Spring 2026 meeting and award night, “Attendee – RI ACS Spring 2026 meeting and award night – In person,” Rhode Island American Chemical Society chapter, Providence, RI, United States. (April 17, 2026).
Rhode Island ACS Spring 2026 meeting, “The Study of Chemical Compounds in the Mainstream Smoke of Herbal Cigarettes,” Rhode Island ACS, Providence, RI, United States. (April 17, 2026).
Rhode Island ACS Spring 2026 meeting, “The Study of Nicotine in Commercial Smoking Products,” Rhode Island ACS, Providence, RI, United States. (April 17, 2026).
National ACS meeting Spring 2026, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” American Chemical Society (ACS), Atlanta, GA, United States. (March 24, 2026).
National ACS meeting Spring 2026, “Attendee – The natinal ACS meeting Spring 2026 – in person,” American Chemical Society, Atlanta, GA, United States. (March 22, 2026).
2025 American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Discussion (ACS NERD), “Attendee – The ACS NERD Fall 2025 conference – in person,” American Chemical Society Northeast Regional, Worcester, MA, United States. (November 11, 2025).
2025 American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Discussion (ACS NERD), “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” American Chemical Society Northeast Regisional Division, Worcester, MA, United States. (November 11, 2025).
JWU’s STEM meeting Fall 2025, “The study of chemical compounds in the mainstream smoke of herbal cigarettes,” JWU, Providence, MA, United States. (October 19, 2025).
JWU’s STEM meeting Fall 2025, “Attendee – The JWU STEM meeting Fall 2025 – in person,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (October 9, 2025).
National ACS meeting – Fall 2025, “Attendee – The national ACS meeting Fall 2025 – Virtually,” American Chemical Society, Washington DC, DC, United States. (August 17, 2025).
National ACS meeting – Spring 2025, “Attendee – The national ACS meeting Spring 2025 – in person,” American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA, United States. (March 23, 2025).
National ACS meeting – Spring 2025, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA, United States. (March 23, 2025).
JWU EXPO Spring 2025, “Attendee – JWU EXPO Spring 2025 – In person,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (February 14, 2025).
JWU EXPO Spring 2025, “Practicing Informed Consumption of Herbal Products Through Focused Research,” JWU, Providence, RI, United States. (February 14, 2025).
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (September 1, 2023).
Sci-mix section – American Chemical Society national meeting Spring 2023, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” American Chemical Society, Indianapolis, IN, United States. (April 27, 2023).
General Poster Section – American Chemical Society national meeting Spring 2023, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” American Chemical Society, Indianapolis, IN, United States. (April 26, 2023).
65th Hollins Sciecne Seminar, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (April 14, 2023).
65th Hollins Science Seminar, “Synthesis and evaluation of the rhodamine- and biotin- probes for detection of cysteine containing proteins,” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (April 14, 2023).
65th Hollins Science Seminar, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” 65th Hollins Science Seminar, Roanoke, VA, United States. (April 14, 2023).
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (April 7, 2023).
65th Hollins Science Seminar, “The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products,” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (April 5, 2023).
Provost’s Summer Award Presentation, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (September 23, 2022).
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (September 9, 2022).
Faculty Lunch, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (May 6, 2022).
National American Chemical Society Meeting Spring 2022, “Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR),” American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA, United States. (March 19, 2022).
Virgini Blue Ridge 698th section meeting, ACS, “Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!,” ACS, Roanoke, VA, United States. (February, 2019).
“Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!,” Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, MA, United States. (March, 2018).
“Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!,” Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, United States. (March, 2018).
American College of Rheumatoid National Meeting, “Different Citrullination profiles in Spontaneous versus Leukemia-Associated Rheumatoid Arthritis,” American College of Rheumatoid, San Diego, CA, United States. (November, 2017).
“Methodology in carbohydrate chemistry and development of carbohydrate – adjuvant conjugates as defined S. pneumonia vaccines,” UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States. (October, 2015).
American Chemicial Society national meeting Fall 2013, “Development of carbohydrate – adjuvant conjugates as defined S. pneumonia vaccines,” American Chemical Society, Indianapolis, IN, United States. (September, 2013).
Annual Massachusetts Statewide Undergraduate Conference, “Gas chromatographic analysis of organic chemistry reactions,” MassURC, Amhert, MA, United States. (April, 2007).