Joe Performs Summer Research at the University of Tokyo, an NSF-Sponsored International Collaboration

Sunghee Lee, Ph.D. • September 4, 2018

Joseph Giancaspro ’20, in a Japanese garment (Yukata, a casual summer kimono) and Dr. Toshihisa Osaki, Research Mentor, from the Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, in July 2018.

 

This summer, Joseph Giancaspro ’20, an Biochemistry major, joined a globally renowned scientific team in Tokyo to perform research in the field of biophysical chemistry. This opportunity was enabled by the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded funding to Sunghee Lee, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Endowed Professor of Chemistry, to promote and strengthen the nation’s STEM workforce through an international research collaboration with Shoji Takeuchi, Ph.D., of the University of Tokyo, Japan.

“Ever since this collaboration with Japan was established in 2014, it has been a tremendous and unique opportunity for our students to experience a true intellectual collaboration in a demanding and challenging research intensive environment,” said Dr. Lee. “Each year, research partners in Japan have been very impressed by our students’ contribution; hence our fruitful partnership continues. This year was no exception. They continue to praise Joe, as an undergraduate who merely finished 2 years of college, for his impressive level of depth of commitment and work-ethic on the advanced research topic. I am very proud to be able to offer this opportunity!”

A series of Iona students have immersed themselves in a month-long research program at the University of Tokyo for each of the past four academic years. This research abroad experience has provided a great level of confidence and strength toward their science careers in the future.

The NSF awards the funding to promote their vision of a “nation that creates and exploits new concepts in science and engineering and provides global leadership in research and education.”

Joe describes the experience in his own words.

by Joseph Giancaspro ’20

This summer I was fortunate to be selected to participate in a unique and exciting program established by Iona College with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This program afforded me the opportunity to work side by side for five weeks with some of the leading chemistry experts at Professor Shoji Takeuchi’s lab at the University of Tokyo. As I reflect on my time spent in Japan some overarching thoughts continually come to mind. The first is wow! I can hardly believe that as a second year undergraduate student I was able to travel to a place half way around the world, conduct leading research, work with key scientists and experience another culture. This was the first time I actually have ventured outside of the continental United States.  I was excited to begin this journey and eager to start my assignment. This experience allowed me to continue to grow and mature as a person, gain confidence in myself, and allowed me to experience the wonderful culture of Japan.

My five weeks were spent working alongside my mentor Dr. Toshihisa Osaki. Dr. Osaki is a recognized expert in the fields of surface chemistry and artificial cell membranes. The lab’s novel micro drilling techniques used to fabricate microfluidic device structures and its MEMS processes were integral components leading to the success of my two projects. I have learned an incredible amount of valuable information in regards to my research project as well as how a lab of such high caliber operates. As I am still relatively new to the field of chemistry, the idea of being exposed to this level of science as an undergraduate was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This journey gave me the opportunity to broaden my exposure to surface chemistry, the construction of artificial cell membranes, and membrane capacitance modelling.

My collaboration with the University of Tokyo was mind-opening as well as impactful on my career outlook. I plan on pursuing a career in Medicine as a physician. I now have a greater appreciation of the research and breakthroughs that are needed to further advancements in regard to biochemical transports throughout the body. My research on cell membrane thickness is an attempt to understand its influence on the efficiency of biochemical drug transport.

My time spent in Tokyo was full of enjoyable memories. The lab members created such an amazing and welcoming atmosphere throughout my time in lab. Not only did they assist with my academic endeavors but they also extended a great level of hospitality. The lunchtimes were filled with great conversation and the sampling of homemade regional specialties. The staff encouraged and assisted me in planning weekend trips to their favorite local attractions and restaurants as well as areas in distant regions of Japan. On a few occasions lab members even accompanied me on such trips and hosted me to dinners. These experiences allowed me to see breathtaking Japanese sceneries as well as try the unique local cuisines. Without this supportive lab group, my time in Japan would have been significantly different. This experience is something I will truly never forget.

The success of my project would not have been possible without the abundance of resources provided to me by Dr. Sunghee Lee, Dr. Toshihisa Osaki, Dr. Shoji Takeuchi, along with the support from the National Science Foundation and Iona College. Their incredible knowledge, mentorship and support aided me in reaching my goals for the trip.

Project Symphony Seniors Lizzie and Jessica Share PFAS Research at ACS National Meeting

By Sunghee Lee • March 27, 2026
We are thrilled to celebrate two of our Project Symphony leaders, Lizzie and Jessica, who presented their research posters at the Spring 2026 ACS National Meeting in Atlanta, GA. They each shared our group’s culminated work on the impact of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) on mammalian and bacterial membranes in a session of the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Their posters were part of the Biomaterials and Biointerface symposium, which brings together research at the intersection of colloid and surface science and biology. The symposium highlights studies of biological interfaces, exactly where our work on PFAS–membrane interactions fits in, making it a perfect venue for showcasing what Project Symphony has been building toward over the past several years. Lizzie and Jessica presented the group’s work with professionalism, clarity, and confidence, representing Project Symphony to a truly global audience of scientists. As graduating seniors, this was their final undergraduate presentation, and they rose to the occasion. Much of what they shared has already appeared in two peer‑reviewed publications coauthored with other Project Symphony members, underscoring how sustained collaboration in our lab leads to publishable, impactful science. Adding to the celebration, former Project Symphony member Caroline, now a PhD student in chemistry at Georgia Tech University, joined them in Atlanta to cheer them on. Her support reflects one of the most meaningful parts of Project Symphony: a lasting tradition of alumni and current members helping one another grow, both scientifically and personally. For us, their success is more than just a conference highlight—it’s a powerful example of how we, as a group, work together to achieve what once felt unimaginable. From brainstorming experiments and troubleshooting instruments to interpreting complex data, Lizzie and Jessica’s posters reflected the collective effort of many current and past Project Symphony members. Kudos to every Project Symphony member for contributing to this milestone—and special congratulations to Lizzie and Jessica as they take their next professional steps fully prepared for whatever comes next.

Jessica Said, Project Symphony Member Shares PFAS Research on National Stage

By Sunghee Lee • March 27, 2026
We’re excited to share some big news from our Project Symphony family! This spring, our own Jessica Said ’26, was selected as one of only six undergraduates from across the country to speak in the ACS Presidential Symposium, “The Next 150 Years of Undergraduate Research,” at the Spring 2026 ACS National Meeting in Atlanta, GA. She gave her invited talk on March 23, representing both Iona and Project Symphony on a national stage. Jessica has been part of Project Symphony since her freshman year, working long hours in the lab with fellow PS members. Her talk, “The Cellular Cost of Forever Chemicals,” looked at how PFAS (“forever chemicals”) can harm both mammalian and bacterial cell membranes. Using experiments carried out right here in the Project Symphony lab, she showed how these compounds can disrupt the structure and function of lipid bilayers, raising important questions for human health and environmental safety. Much of what she presented has already appeared in two peer‑reviewed publications coauthored with other Project Symphony members and Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee shared how meaningful this achievement is: “I am so very proud of her accomplishment. Her level of dedication in research far surpasses what is typically expected of an undergraduate student.” Dr. Lee also often reminds us that staying engaged in research over multiple semesters and summers is what helps Project Symphony students build resilience, patience, and real scientific rigor—skills that carry far beyond the lab. Being invited to speak in an ACS Presidential Symposium is a huge honor, and the undergraduate spots are extremely competitive. Jessica’s selection is a testament not only to her hard work, but also to what an all-undergraduate group can accomplish when we work together like a well-rehearsed ensemble. For all of us in Project Symphony, seeing one of our own step up to the microphone in Atlanta and share our collective work felt like hearing a solo emerge from the middle of a larger performance: one clear voice, supported by the whole group behind it. Stay tuned—there’s much more music to come from Project Symphony.

Exploring Graphene Oxide–Cholesterol Interactions Across Model Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • February 23, 2026
We’re pleased to announce our new collaborative publication, “Study of the Interaction Between Graphene Oxide and Cholesterol Using Different Artificial Membrane Models,” conducted in partnership with colleagues in Italy. This work investigates how graphene oxide—an emerging nanomaterial with biomedical promise—interacts with cholesterol within lipid membranes. By employing various artificial membrane systems, we examined how membrane composition and organization influence these interactions, revealing key insights into the physicochemical mechanisms at play. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of how nanomaterials engage with biological membranes, providing valuable guidance for the safe and effective design of graphene-based biomedical applications. Congratulations to all team members and our Italian collaborators on this exciting achievement! The full article is available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021979726002821 .
Show More