Son Vu
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Detail‑oriented Biochemistry Ph.D. specializing in DNA damage biology, mammalian cell culture, and assay development. Experienced in quantitative LC‑MS/MS and proteomic data analysis, with supporting skills in nucleoside/nucleotide modification for mechanistic studies. Proficient in data analysis using Python, MATLAB, and GraphPad Prism.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Student Researcher
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
09.2021 - Current
- Showed that 7‑deaza‑dG derivatives produce measurable increases in DNA–protein crosslinks (DPCs) in biochemical assays and can be enzymatically incorporated into mammalian DNA.
- Validated and implemented a chimeric DPC‑forming probe, demonstrating selective, reproducible DPCs formation in mammalian cells and identifying the associated crosslinking proteome by LC‑MS/MS.
- Optimized biochemical and gel‑based assays to reliably quantify DPCs and distinguish them from interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), improving sensitivity and reproducibility.
- Evaluated sensitizer performance in PC‑3 cells, observing modest radiosensitizing effects and identifying key limitations that guide the design of second‑generation sensitizers with improved cellular activity.
- Experienced with nucleoside/nucleotide modification and preparation of specialized DNA probes for biochemical assays.
- Mentored junior researchers and collaborated across chemistry, biochemistry, and radiation oncology groups to design experiments, troubleshoot challenges, and advance project outcomes.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD07-2026
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05-2021
Skills
- DNA Damage & Chromatin: DPC/ICL assays, NCP reconstitution, photochemical oxidation, ionizing radiation
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry: Oligonucleotide modification, nucleoside/nucleotide synthesis, NTP synthesis, metal–ligand complexes
- Molecular Biology & Cell Assays: PCR, cloning, mammalian cell culture, protein expression, Western blotting, clonogenic, ARK & comet assays
- Analytical Methods: HPLC, LC‑MS/MS (MRM), proteomic MS/MS, FPLC, NMR, cyclic voltammetry, PAGE
- Data & Software: Python & MATLAB (proteomic MS), kinetic/dose–response modeling, GraphPad Prism
Publications
- Jiang, X.; Vu, S.; Yu, H.; Greenberg, M. M. Examination of a chimeric bis-electrophile for selective DNA–protein cross-linking and mechlorethamine reveals an unknown source of nitrogen mustard cytotoxicity. (co-first author, JHU).
- Peng, H.; Vu, S.; Retes, P.; Ward, S.; Kumar, A.; Sevilla, M. D.; Adhikary, A.; Greenberg, M. M. Photochemical and single-electron transfer generation of 2′-deoxycytidin-N4-yl radical from oxime esters. (co-first author, JHU).
- Fleming, C.; Vu, S.; Brook, D. J. R.; Agrestini, S.; Pellegrin, E.; DaRos, J. Metal–ligand interactions in a redox-active ligand system: Electrochemistry and spectroscopy of [M(dipyvd)2]n+ (M = Zn, Ni; n = 0, 1, 2). Frontiers in Chemistry, 2023 (SJSU).
Presentations
- Chemistry–Biology Interface Graduate Program Retreats (Annual)
- The 12th Area Repair Symposium (BARS), 2026
- Frontiers in Chemistry & Biology Interface Symposium, 2026
Languages
- English, Vietnamese.
Timeline
Graduate Student Researcher
Johns Hopkins University
09.2021 - Current
Ph.D. - Chemistry
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
San Jose State University