Joseph Giancaspro (Biochemistry, Class of 2020) Presents Research on Capitol Hill

Sunghee Lee, Ph.D. • May 6, 2019

Joseph Giancaspro ’20 (Biochemistry) has just returned from Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where he was selected to present his Chemistry research as part of the 23rd Annual Posters on the Hill event of the Council on Undergraduate Research. In his presentation and meetings with Congressional staff, he testified to the significance of undergraduate research initiatives to members of Congress. His research project, titled “The Ubiquitous Drug: Caffeine’s Effect on a Cell Membrane Model under Electrophysiological Observation,” went through a rigorous and highly competitive review process and was selected from among 350 applications from around the nation from the fields of Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Engineering. Joseph, along with his research mentor Dr. Sunghee Lee, Board of Trustees Endowed Professor of Chemistry, joined an elite group of undergraduate student researchers representing 43 states, on April 29-30, 2019 in Washington DC. They bore witness to the importance and the value of federal investment in undergraduate research, to members of Congress, congressional staff and federal government officials, including staff from Senator Schumer and Representative Sean Maloney. It is remarkable to note that Joseph is the second Iona student selected to showcase a research project at the Posters on the Hill event. This is a testament to the extraordinary quality of research activities undertaken by Iona undergraduate students.

Joseph has commented that being “selected to attend and present at the ‘Posters on the Hill’ event in Washington, DC was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. . . . At the event, I had the opportunity to discuss my project with government representatives and lawmakers both at the event and in private sessions. It was very meaningful to have the chance to represent Iona College and be an advocate for institutions that support research at the undergraduate level. In addition, it was great to meet other undergraduate researchers from across the country to share personal experiences, successes and challenges”.

Such an experience undoubtedly teaches Iona’s undergraduate students that they can be a member of our nation’s scientific community, and can vocally advocate for the positive impact that undergraduate research has on our country’s education, intellectual leadership, and future success.

Project Symphony Spotlight: Celebrating Colleen Clarke

By Sunghee Lee • May 18, 2026
We are proud to celebrate the continued success of former Project Symphony member Colleen Clarke, a Ph.D. candiate at Clemson University, who has recently received the first place in the poster session at the Women in the Global Battery Industry's Science Award. Colleen received this prestigious honor for her academic work on the impact of lignin on the transport of chemical properties of sulfonated ionomer composites for all-vanadium redox flow batteries. Colleen exemplifies the curiosity, dedication, and perseverance that Project Symphony strives to nurture in all of its participants. During her time with Project Symphony, Colleen demonstrated a strong commitment to scientific exploration and collaborative learning. Those early experiences helped shape her path toward advanced study and research, where she continues to excel and make meaningful contributions in her field. We are thrilled to see her accomplishments and look forward to following her continued success. Congratulations, Colleen—we are incredibly proud of you!

Celebrating Project Symphony at ISD 2026

By Sunghee Lee • April 24, 2026
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, our Project Symphony members presented their work at the 17th annual Iona Scholars Day, a campus-wide celebration of student scholarship and creative activity. This event showcases faculty-mentored projects across disciplines and highlights the depth of undergraduate research at Iona. This year, Project Symphony members contributed an impressive total of 15 research posters, representing months—and in many cases, years—of sustained effort, curiosity, and collaboration. Their work stood alongside projects from across the university, helping to put chemistry and biophysical research in the spotlight. As the PI of Project Symphony, I am deeply proud of each team member’s dedication, professionalism, and growth. Watching them explain complex ideas with clarity and confidence to faculty, peers, and visitors was truly inspiring. Their posters did more than present data—they told the story of how careful experimentation, persistence, and teamwork lead to new insights. Congratulations again to all of our presenters—you represented Project Symphony, with excellence.

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.
Show More