Celebrating Excellence: The Project Symphony’s Presentations at Iona Scholars Day 2024

Sunghee Lee • April 19, 2024

I am thrilled to congratulate and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our undergraduate research group, the Project Symphony, at this year's Iona Scholars Day! Our team of dedicated students has worked tirelessly, and their hard work and commitment have truly paid off.


The presentations showcased a wide range of impactful research projects that not only demonstrate the academic excellence of our research group members but also their passion for discovery and learning. Each project was a testament to the creativity and hardwork of the Project Symphony research team.


One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was seeing how the Project Symphony members engaged with their research topics. Your enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear that you had developed a deep understanding and appreciation for the chosen fields of topic.


I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each member of the Project Symphony members for your exceptional presentations. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for research have truly set you apart, and I am incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished.


As I reflect on Iona Scholars Day and look towards the future, I am excited to see where our Project Symphony research group will go next. I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things and make meaningful contributions to your field of study.


Once again, congratulations to the Project Symphony on a successful Scholars Day! Your hard work, dedication, and passion for research are truly inspiring, and I can't wait to see what you will accomplish next.


-Dr. Lee

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 .

New Insights into Serotonin’s Relationship with Cell Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • February 23, 2026
In this study, we explored how the membrane environment shapes the behavior of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and neural signaling. By systematically varying lipid composition in model membranes, we uncovered how differences in lipid charge, fluidity, and packing influence serotonin’s nonspecific interactions with bilayers. Our findings shed new light on the physical chemistry of neurotransmitter–membrane interactions, with potential implications for understanding serotonin’s diverse physiological functions and its role in receptor signaling. Congratulations to all co-authors for their outstanding work and collaboration! The article can be accessed here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00767

Recent Publication: How Tiny Molecules Shape the Flexibility of Cell Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • November 15, 2025
Our research team has uncovered new details about how small oil-like molecules influence the thickness and flexibility of cell membranes. These membranes, built from layers of lipids, contain tiny pockets of free space that help control how soft, dense, or permeable the membrane is. Our research team found that some smaller molecules can fit into these layers, making the membrane thicker, while larger or crystallizing ones get pushed out, leading to thinning. These changes help explain how different molecules inside a membrane affect its overall structure and function. This study not only expands our understanding of how biological membranes work but also points to new possibilities for creating custom-designed synthetic membranes for research and technology. Read more details here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c06296 Congratulations to the Project Symphpony team for their exciting findings and continued dedication to advancing membrane science!
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