First of all, I too love the solid red and your setting of the blocks is really wonderful. I am sure you will be tweaking that as you go but over all, I like the looks of it and the blocks stand out nicely. Looks like your son got a scholarship since his "other ride is a scholarship". Was it for Harvard?
Secondly, the term "organic synthesis chemist" seems to contain words that are at odds with each other. What does he actually do? Hope you get to visit him in CA.