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.

Bacterial Membranes Meet PFAS: New Findings from the Project Symphony Lab

By Sunghee Lee • September 2, 2025
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our Project Symphony, undergrad-fueled research team, just published another article digging into how those stubborn “forever chemicals”, called perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, can mess with model bacterial membranes, making them leakier and less organized than before. It is alarming to discover that these chemicals actively change the physical properties of membranes, and different types of lipids respond in their own way to the disruption, meaning some bacteria could be more affected than others. What makes this work even more special is that our undergraduate team handled every step, and it’s now out there as open access for everyone to read—proof that curiosity and teamwork can lead to great science. The article is appeared in ACS Omega (on August 26, 2025), a publication of American Chemical Society (ACS). Please explore the article here: " Membrane-Modifying Effects of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Model Bacterial Membranes " https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c04177 Congratulations to Micaela, Amani, Jasmin, Jessica, Lizzy, Joey, and Jacqui for their enthusiasm and hard work leading to this contribution! Project Symphony’s journey continues—stay tuned for what’s next.

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement by Our Undergraduate Research Team!

By Sunghee Lee • August 21, 2025
We are incredibly proud to announce that our talented Project Symphony undergraduate research team has just published a significant scientific article in the prestigious Journal of Physical Chemistry B, a leading journal published by the American Chemical Society in physical chemistry research. The newly published study, titled "Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances," explores the complex interactions of widely used environmental chemicals (PFAS) with biological model membranes. This research addresses important health and environmental questions, employing various techniques to reveal how molecular structures of PFAS influence membrane properties and permeability. Please read: Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances, J. Phys. Chem. B 2025, 129, 31, 7951–7963 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c02472 What makes this achievement truly exceptional is that the work was led and conducted by undergraduate researchers, demonstrating their brilliance and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Their contribution not only adds valuable insights into the field of environmental and physical chemistry but also sets an inspiring example of how undergraduate students can make impactful contributions to cutting-edge science. Congratulations to the entire team for this outstanding accomplishment! This publication is a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and the rigorous training they have received.

Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors: A Joyful End-of-Semester Gathering

By Sunghee Lee • May 6, 2025
As the semester comes to a close, Project Symphony members gathered to celebrate a very special milestone - the graduation of seven dedicated seniors who have been an integral part of our team for many years. Their passion, enthusiasm, and hard work have not only driven their individual growth but have also contributed to the collective success of our group. Together, we’ve achieved so much more than any one of us could alone - a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration and shared purpose...the true meaning of the "Project Symphony"! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these remarkable students for the energy and commitment they brought to the lab every day. Your contributions have truly made a difference, and we are proud to have been part of your journey. As you embark on your next chapter, we wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. Remember, once you are a member of the Project Symphony, you are forever part of our family. We look forward to seeing the incredible things you will accomplish ahead! Congratulations and thank you for everything!
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