Caroline Scott (Class of 2025, ACS Chemistry), traveled to Perform Summer Research at the University of Tokyo, an NSF-Sponsored International Collaboration

Sunghee Lee • August 21, 2023

This summer, Caroline Scott (Class of 2025, ACS Chemistry) joined a globally renowed scientific team in Tokyo to perform research in the field of Biophysical Chemistry. This opportunity was enabled by the NSF Award to Dr. Sunghee Lee for international research collaboration with Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo. In the past, five students from Dr. Lee’s research group have traveled to Japan for a month-long research project: Peter J. Milianta (Class of 2016, Biochemistry), Michael McGlone (Class of 2017, Physics), Jacqueline Denver (Class of 2017, Biochemistry), Alessandra Armetta (Class of 2018), and Joseph Giancaspro (Class of 2020). Dr. Lee noted, “This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to experience a true intellectual collaboration. Our research partners in Japan are very impressed by our students’ dedication and contribution. After three years of interruption, I am very happy to be able to send an Iona student to Japan again this summer. Caroline has been working diligently on the investigation of electrical property of model cell membranes and her summer experience provided an even greater level of confidence and strength towards her goal in advancing to a PhD program upon graduation from Iona.”

Caroline added “This summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Tokyo, Japan for 5 weeks to conduct electrophysiological measurement of a model cell membrane. This experience was incredible. Not only did I learn an immense amount of important research skills, but I also got to explore the country of Japan and learn about its culture and history. On the weekends, I even got to hike to the top of Mount Fuji! The most valuable part of my experience in Japan was how much science I learned including how to analyze data and display results in a way that can help organize ideas and discover problems that will lead the research in the right direction. I am extremely thankful to Dr. Osaki and Prof. Takeuchi for welcoming me and guiding me with every step, and Dr. Lee for giving this opportunity and for her continuous support. I will now get to put these skills to use for the rest of my own scientific career, as I aspire to advance to PhD program after Iona.”

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.
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