Son Nguyen (he/him)
Assistant Professor College of Arts & Sciences Biological and Physical Sciences Providence
Biography and Expertise
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
BS
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
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 (Internet)
Holllins University’s News
March, 2023
https://www.hollins.edu/chemistry-majors-showcase-their-research-at-acs-spring-2023/
Newsletter Spring 2022 (Newspaper)
American Chemical Society, Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry
2022
https://acscarb.org/resources/carb-newsletters/
Hollins Chemistry Students, Faculty Featured at ACS National Meeting (Internet)
Hollins University’s News
March, 2022
https://www.hollins.edu/news/hollins-chemistry-students-faculty-featured-at-acs-national-meeting/
Virginia Academy of Science Honors Hollins Student Researchers (Internet)
Hollins University’s News
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.
Citrullination Inactivates Nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase
ACS Chemical Biology
13
9
2663-2672
Tilvawala, R. & Nguyen, S. & Maurais, A. & Nemmara, V. & Nagar, M. & Salinger, A. & Nagpal, S. & Weerapana, E. & Thompson, P.
The Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Citrullinome
Cell Chemical Biology
25
6
691-704.e6
Chu, A. & Nguyen, S. & Sisel, J. & Minciunescu, A. & Bennett, C.
Selective Synthesis of 1,2-cis-α-Glycosides without Directing Groups. Application to Iterative Oligosaccharide Synthesis
Organic Letters
15
10
2566-2569
Nguyen, S. & Trotta, A. & Cao, J. & Straub, T. & Bennett, C.
Direct O-glycosidation of resin bound thioglycosides
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
10
12
2373
Nogueira, J. & Nguyen, S. & Bennett, C.
Cyclopropenium Cation Promoted Dehydrative Glycosylations Using 2-Deoxy- and 2,6-Dideoxy-Sugar Donors
Organic Letters
13
11
2814-2817
Attendee – JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026
Attending the JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
The Study of Chemical Compounds in the Mainstream Smoke of Herbal Cigarettes
Poster
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
The Study of Nicotine in Commercial Smoking Products
Poster
JWU Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium – Spring 2026
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
Attendee – RI ACS Spring 2026 meeting and award night – In person
Attending the RI ACS Spring 2026 meeting and award night – In person
RI ACS Spring 2026 meeting and award night
Rhode Island American Chemical Society chapter
Providence
RI
United States
The Study of Chemical Compounds in the Mainstream Smoke of Herbal Cigarettes
Poster
Rhode Island ACS Spring 2026 meeting
Rhode Island ACS
Providence
RI
United States
The Study of Nicotine in Commercial Smoking Products
Poster
Rhode Island ACS Spring 2026 meeting
Rhode Island ACS
Providence
RI
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Poster
National ACS meeting Spring 2026
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Atlanta
GA
United States
Attendee – The natinal ACS meeting Spring 2026 – in person
Attening the national ACS meeting Spring 2026 – in person
National ACS meeting Spring 2026
American Chemical Society
Atlanta
GA
United States
Attendee – The ACS NERD Fall 2025 conference – in person
Attending the ACS NERD Fall 2025 conference
2025 American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Discussion (ACS NERD)
American Chemical Society Northeast Regional
Worcester
MA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Poster
2025 American Chemical Society Northeast Regional Discussion (ACS NERD)
American Chemical Society Northeast Regisional Division
Worcester
MA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in the mainstream smoke of herbal cigarettes
Panel Presentation
JWU’s STEM meeting Fall 2025
JWU
Providence
MA
United States
Attendee – The JWU STEM meeting Fall 2025 – in person
Attending the JWU STEM meeting Fall 2025
JWU’s STEM meeting Fall 2025
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
Attendee – The national ACS meeting Fall 2025 – Virtually
Attending the conference – Virtually
National ACS meeting – Fall 2025
American Chemical Society
Washington DC
DC
United States
Attendee – The national ACS meeting Spring 2025 – in person
Attend national meeting – in person
National ACS meeting – Spring 2025
American Chemical Society
San Diego
CA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Oral Presentation
National ACS meeting – Spring 2025
American Chemical Society
San Diego
CA
United States
Attendee – JWU EXPO Spring 2025 – In person
Attending JWU EXPO Spring 2025 – In person
JWU EXPO Spring 2025
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
Practicing Informed Consumption of Herbal Products Through Focused Research
Oral Presentation
JWU EXPO Spring 2025
JWU
Providence
RI
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Oral Presentation
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Poster
Sci-mix section – American Chemical Society national meeting Spring 2023
American Chemical Society
Indianapolis
IN
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Poster
General Poster Section – American Chemical Society national meeting Spring 2023
American Chemical Society
Indianapolis
IN
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Poster
65th Hollins Sciecne Seminar
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Synthesis and evaluation of the rhodamine- and biotin- probes for detection of cysteine containing proteins
Poster
65th Hollins Science Seminar
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Poster
65th Hollins Science Seminar
65th Hollins Science Seminar
Roanoke
VA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Oral Presentation
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
The study of chemical compounds in different commercial smoking products
Oral Presentation
65th Hollins Science Seminar
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Oral Presentation
Provost’s Summer Award Presentation
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Oral Presentation
Faculty Authors & Achievers Lunch
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Oral Presentation
Faculty Lunch
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Stereoselectivity in glycosylation through Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Oral Presentation
National American Chemical Society Meeting Spring 2022
American Chemical Society
San Diego
CA
United States
Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!
Oral Presentation
Virgini Blue Ridge 698th section meeting, ACS
ACS
Roanoke
VA
United States
Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!
Oral Presentation
Bard College at Simon’s Rock
Great Barrington
MA
United States
Let’s go fishing: Catching cysteine-containing proteins in cytoplasmic pools!
Oral Presentation
Hollins University
Roanoke
VA
United States
Different Citrullination profiles in Spontaneous versus Leukemia-Associated Rheumatoid Arthritis
Oral Presentation
American College of Rheumatoid National Meeting
American College of Rheumatoid
San Diego
CA
United States
Methodology in carbohydrate chemistry and development of carbohydrate – adjuvant conjugates as defined S. pneumonia vaccines
Oral Presentation
UMass Chan Medical School
Worcester
MA
United States
Development of carbohydrate – adjuvant conjugates as defined S. pneumonia vaccines
Poster
American Chemicial Society national meeting Fall 2013
American Chemical Society
Indianapolis
IN
United States
Gas chromatographic analysis of organic chemistry reactions
Poster
Annual Massachusetts Statewide Undergraduate Conference
MassURC
Amhert
MA
United States