Project Symphony

Celebrating Project Symphony at ISD 2026

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:36 GMT

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

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:04:04 GMT

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

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:15:06 GMT

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

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:54:00 GMT

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

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:46:06 GMT

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

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:34:36 GMT

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!

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

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:21:43 GMT

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!

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:47:38 GMT

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

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:04:08 GMT

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!

Congratulations to Dr. Giancaspro on Earning His Medical Degree!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Mon, 05 May 2025 21:57:43 GMT

We are thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone for our former Project Symphony group member, Joe, who officially earned their Medical Doctor (MD) degree today for SUNY Upstate Medical University. This achievement marks the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and passion for advancing healthcare.

During his time with Project Symphony, Joe demonstrated exceptional commitment to research and a genuine curiosity that inspired us all. We have no doubt that these qualities will make him an outstanding physician and a valuable contributor to the medical community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Giancaspro on this well-deserved accomplishment. We look forward to seeing all the incredible ways they will impact the world of medicine!

Celebrating Excellence: A Big Congrats to the Project Symphony

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:08:46 GMT

I’m so excited to congratulate and celebrate the amazing achievements of our undergraduate research group, the Project Symphony, at this year’s Iona Scholars Day! You all worked incredibly hard, and it really showed.

The presentations covered a wide range of interesting and impactful projects that not only highlight your academic skills but also your passion for learning and discovery. Each project was a great example of your creativity and dedication.

What stood out the most was how engaged and enthusiastic everyone was about their research. Your energy was contagious, and it was clear you’ve really connected with your topics and learned a lot along the way.

A huge shoutout to each of you for your fantastic presentations. Your hard work and passion for research really set you apart, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. I’m confident you’ll keep doing great things and making a real impact in your fields.

Once again, congrats to everyone on a successful Iona Scholars Day!

Published: Project symphony-Composing a masterpiece in a science laboratory

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:43:18 GMT

In this Backstory, Dr. Lee and her students and recent graduates reflect on the development and experiences that shaped their journey through Project Symphony and the resulting skills they’ve learned. The symphony they’ve created together is a testament to the transformative power of collaborative undergraduate research – a melody of discovery that continues to evolve and inspire.

You can read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225001464

Exciting News: Our Latest Research Published in Langmuir!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 01:03:48 GMT

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our collaborative research in Langmuir, the journal of the American Chemical Society. Our paper, titled “Electrophysiological Characterization of Monoolein-Fatty Acid Bilayers,” represents a significant milestone in our ongoing investigation of electrical property of model cell membranes. As an open-access article, our research is now freely available to the scientific community and the public. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03814

This publication is the culmination of a fruitful collaboration with the research team at University of Tokyo, Japan. The lead author, Caroline Scott (Class of 2025), performed the experiments along with Riley Porteus (Class of 2024, now in a PhD program at Virginia Tech), building on her invaluable experience gained during a summer research trip in Japan last year, made possible by National Science Foundation. Caroline's dedication and perseverance have finally come to fruition.

We look forward to continuing our work and sharing more news in the future!

Looking Back at an Awesome Fall 2024: A Semester Full of Success and Friendship

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 01:46:27 GMT

Can you believe how fast this semester went? The Fall 2024 semester came and went in the blink of an eye, yet we accomplished so much while balancing challenging coursework and engaging research activities. We're really proud of how we keep pushing ourselves to maintain high standards while supporting each other and building a great sense of teamwork. After all, that’s what the Project Symphony is all about.

To close out this amazing semester, we all got together on the last day of classes to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished, both as individuals and as a group. Our gathering was a fun mix of camaraderie and creativity, featuring a coloring session and the gingerbread house competition.

As we reflect on this semester, it’s clear that beyond the data and research papers, we are more than just a group; we are a community. A family bound by intellectual curiosity, mutual respect, and a shared passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Here’s to another semester filled with breakthroughs, support, and the joy of discovery!

Project Symphony Team Shines at ACS National Meeting in Denver

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 22:20:09 GMT

Nine undergraduate researchers from our Chemistry & Biochemistry Department recently took Denver by storm, presenting their scientific findings at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, August 18-22, 2024. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee, these bright minds showcased seven posters in the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of the ACS.

Our students stood shoulder-to-shoulder with PhDs and PostDocs from around the globe, demonstrating the high caliber of undergraduate research at our institution. Their presentations were the culmination of tireless efforts in the lab, spanning intense summer sessions and busy academic semesters.

In addition to their academic achievements, the Project Symphony team seized the opportunity to explore Denver's cultural offerings, including a breathtaking sunrise at Red Rocks Park and enriching museum visits. These shared experiences outside the conference halls further strengthened their bonds as a cohesive research unit.

This successful venture to the ACS National Meeting exemplifies the Project Symphony ethos: harmonious collaboration towards shared scientific goals, coupled with the joy of collective achievement and exploration. We're immensely proud of our undergraduate researchers for representing our department on the international stage and look forward to their future contributions to the field of chemistry.

Exciting News: Dr. Lee Honored as an ACS Fellow for 2024!

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:51:13 GMT

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Lee has been named one of the 37 ACS Fellows for 2024 by the American Chemical Society! This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Lee's remarkable contributions to the field of science and dedicated service to the ACS community.

Dr. Lee expressed gratitude, stating, "Being recognized as an ACS Fellow is a profound honor. This award acknowledges my work in biophysical chemistry and my commitment to mentoring nearly 100 undergraduate students. It's a testament to our shared success in integrating education with research excellence."

The special awards ceremony will take place at the ACS National Meeting in Denver, CO, on August 19th, 2024. Dr. Lee is eagerly looking forward to celebrating this milestone with 10 talented students from the research group, who will also be presenting their findings to an international audience. Their hard work and dedication have made this journey unforgettable!

Congratulations to Dr. Lee and the entire team for this incredible achievement. We can't wait to see the exciting discoveries that lie ahead!

-Project Symphony Team

Summer 2024 Research Recap: A Season of Discovery and Collaboration!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:22:35 GMT

Wow, what a summer it has been! Time truly flies when you're immersed in exciting research, and this summer was no exception for our dedicated research team, The Project Symphony. As we look back, it's hard to believe how quickly the days slipped by, filled with laughter, learning, and teamwork.

The camaraderie among our team members has been nothing short of inspiring. While some might think spending long summer days in a science lab could be daunting, we found that collaborating with fellow aspiring scientists made every moment enjoyable and rewarding. Our group name, Project Symphony, reflects our spirit perfectly: we work together in harmony, united by our shared goals and passion for discovery.

This summer, we made significant strides in our ambitious research plans, and we were thrilled to welcome two bright high school students, Maryam and Pariss, to our team. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives brought even more joy and productivity to our lab experience. Thank you, Maryam and Pariss! You will be greatly missed!

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the ACS National Meeting in Denver, CO, where we’ll present our scientific findings to international audience. The excitement is palpable, and we can’t wait to share our work with the broader scientific community. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this incredible journey!

Announcing Our Most Recent Publication from Project Symphony Research Group

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Tue, 28 May 2024 23:53:40 GMT

We are delighted to share the publication of our most recent research paper. The article titled “The Role of Lipid Intrinsic Curvature in the Droplet Interface Bilayer” is now available in the Langmuir, the publication of American Chemical Society. The open access article can be seen in this link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00270

In this paper, we investigate the effect of intrinsic curvature of lipid molecules assembled in a droplet interface bilayer array, on its free energy of formation. Using lipid molecules of different curvature values, the role of curvature stress on the values of free energy of formation is discussed, revealing a linear function of squared value of curvature. Our findings has significant potential to uncover the functional relationships between bilayer stress and protein function, and provide insights on the understanding of how proteins fold, bind, and act, in real cellular membranes.

We are so grateful for the harmonious efforts of all members of our research group and their contributions, as well as to the NSF for their funding support.

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

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:30:08 GMT

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

Exciting News from Project Symphony Research Group: Announcing Our Latest Publication!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 12:47:31 GMT

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research paper titled "Concentration-Dependent Effects of Curcumin on Membrane Permeability and Structure" in the ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science ( https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.4c00093 ) . This publication represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration within our research group. In this paper, we delve into how phytochemical curcumin interacts with lipid bilayer. Our findings not only contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this field but also have the potential for successful translation of curcumin into effective medicine. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the members of our research group for their invaluable contributions, and NSF for funding support. We look forward to continuing our research efforts and sharing more exciting discoveries in the future. Stay tuned for further updates from our research group!

Go Project Symphony!

Journal of Physical Chemistry B has now published our work on the effect of soy isoflavones on the model membranes

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 14:31:24 GMT

The Project Symphony team publishes another research paper in peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Physical Chemistry B

The article titled “Differential Effects of Soy Isoflavones on the Biophysical Properties of Model Membranes” is published in Journal of Physical Chemistry B, an American Chemical Society publication.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08390

This paper is coauthored by nine undergraduates, Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Katherine Ivanchenko (’23 Chemistry), Wilber Perla (’25 Chemistry), Christopher Poust (’25 Chemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Colleen Clarke (’23 Chemistry), Shakinah Silverberg (’24 Biology/Chemistry), Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry) with Dr. Sunghee Lee.

Congratulations to the Project Symphony!

The Project Symphony team publishes another research paper in 2023 in peer-reviewed journal Langmuir

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 21:07:34 GMT

The diligent work of Project Research team has culminated in a peer-reviewed research publication. This is the proud result of 10 undergraduate coauthors over the span of 3 years.

The title of the article is “Aspirin Interacts with Cholesterol-Containing Membranes in a pH-Dependent Manner”, and appears in Langmuir, an American Chemical Society publication. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02242

This paper is coauthored by ten undergraduates, Michael Krmic (’22 Biochemistry), Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan (’21 Chemistry), Katherine Ivanchenko (’23 Chemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Joseph Giancaspro (’21 Biochemistry), Juan Rosario (’21 Biochemistry), Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), Riley Porteus ('24 ACS Chemistry), with Dr. Sunghee Lee.

Congratulations to the project team!

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

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:53:09 GMT

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.”

Iona Chemistry Research Team of Nine Students Presented at the ACS National Meeting in San Francisco, CA on August 12-17, 2023

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:18:39 GMT

A research team of nine undergraduate students mentored by Dr. Sunghee Lee of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, have traveled to San Francisco, CA in August, to present their research findings at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Joining with the international chemistry community, they presented six posters at the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry of ACS alongside PhDs and PostDocs from other institutions. Dr. Lee also delivered an oral presentation on the topic of biophysical membrane effects of bioactive molecules, while highlighting how her Iona team of undergraduates work together in harmony to achieve shared goals. Dr. Lee added “It is a proud moment for me to see our students confidently showcase their research findings, the fruit of countless hours spent in Cornelia Hall for multiple semesters and summers. Their exposure to the international network of scientists at this event will inspire them to pave their own scientific career paths and interests.” Jamie, a rising senior Biochemistry major added “Attending the American Chemical Society Fall 2023 conference in San Francisco, I got to experience other research going on in the different fields of chemistry. Additionally, I got to learn about research my peers are doing as well as graduate and PhD students. The information I took from this conference in addition to the connections I was able to make are is endless. It makes me excited for the future, and reinforced my desire to pursue an MD/PhD degree after graduating.” Chris, a rising junior Chemistry major added “ACS Fall 2023 at San Francisco was an incredible time. I truly appreciated learning about all the various research topics from chemists all across the globe. I really enjoyed speaking to whoever came up to me, as having an in-depth conversation about Raman Spectroscopy is not something I get to do often. I would like to thank Dr. Lee for the opportunity to attend, and all of Project Symphony for making this trip so enjoyable.”

Recap of Summer 2023 Research: Another summer of exciting research for the Project Symphony team

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:08:52 GMT

Before we know it, the summer has passed by just like that! It is so true that time flies when you are having fun. Seeing the camaraderie of Project Symphony during summer is nothing like what one can imagine. One may think that spending each summer day in the science lab is intimidating, but working collaboratively as a team with like-minded future scientists makes it something to look forward to. The group name Project Symphony comes from the idea that each of its members work together in harmony to achieve shared goals: to enhance fundamental understanding of the cell membrane and its interactions with bioactive molecules. Our ambitious plan for the summer research has successfully progressed, and we welcomed along the way two high school students, Lucy and Pariss, who made the time in the lab even more fun and productive. Thank you Lucy and Pariss! We will miss you!

Project Symphony Group Presents 14 Posters at the 14th Annual Iona Scholars Day, 2023.

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:34:48 GMT

Iona University hosted its 14th Annual Scholars Day to celebrate and showcase the scholarship and creative activities of Iona students on Thursday, April 20, 2023. During this milestone event, our group, Project Symphony, presented 14 posters. While the celebration lasts only one day, it is the culmination of the hard work of all Project Symphony members throughout the semester and beyond. Go Project Symphony!

Project Symphony Assemble! First Ever Project Symphony Reunion

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 22:15:30 GMT

On Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, a group of young professionals gathered for our first Project Symphony Reunion. These are graduates who participated in NSF-funded research activities since 2009 with Dr. Lee, now contributing to diverse sectors of academia and industry as future leaders.

Considering nearly 8 billion people on earth, it is very special that we are connected together through our unique path of Project Symphony at Iona.

As we look back on the past 18 years of Project Symphony, it reminded us how the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and how much we achieved something that seems “impossible” at first, but we managed to do it. It is all because we are “together” as a harmonious group.

Thank you everyone for all your great contribution!

The Project Symphony team publishes another research paper of 2022 in peer-reviewed Membrane Biology journal

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 20:18:00 GMT

The Project Symphony is very proud to publish another peer-reviewed research article! It is the joyful product of our hard work and time spent in the laboratory over Summer 2021. The journal article is titled "Resveratrol decreases membrane water permeability: a study of cholesterol-dependent interactions", in The Journal of Membrane Biology, a Springer Publication.

This paper is coauthored by seven undergraduates, Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan (’21 Chemistry), Juan Rosario (’21 Chemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Katherine Ivanchenko (’23 Chemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a biologically active plant phenol and is found in many foods, including grapes and red wine. It has been suggested that RSV has a broad range of beneficial pharmacological activities for potential therapeutic applications, as an antioxidant and anticarcinogenic agent. This study examines interactions of RSV with model membranes having varying concentrations of cholesterol (Chol), mimicking normal and cancerous cells. The perturbation of the model membrane by RSV is sensed by changes in water permeability parameters, using Droplet Interface Bilayer (DIB) models, thermotropic properties from Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and structural properties from confocal Raman spectroscopy. The nature and extent of interactions greatly depend on the presence and absence of Chol as well as the concentration of RSV. Combined results from these investigations highlight a differential effect of RSV on Chol-free and Chol-enriched membranes. These results provide increased understanding and effective use of resveratrol in disease therapy including cancer.

Congratulations to the project team!

Jasmin Awarded CME STEM Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 19:42:03 GMT

A member of Project Symphony, Jasmin Ceja Vega (’23 Biochemistry) has been chosen as a winner to receive CME STEM Undergraduate Summer ‘22 Research Scholarship. Chemical Marketing and Economics, Inc. (CME) offers a summer research opportunity for college juniors majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or related fields, in the New York metropolitan (NY-NJ-CT) area to perform state-of-the-art research at their home institutions. https://www.cme-stem.org/events/2022-undergraduate-scholarship-winners/

Jasmin’s project focuses on investigating interactions of various plant phytochemicals with cell membranes. Phytochemicals have caught public attention for their antitumor, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties; however, a detailed description of their mechanism of action is lacking. This research project investigates the non-specific interactions of phytochemicals with a model membrane system in the presence and absence of cholesterol. These interactions may influence protein structure and biological function and thus provide a possible mode of action.

After 10-Week research experience under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee in Summer 2022, Jasmin presented her findings at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in Chicago, IL in August 21-25, 2022.

Spreading Iona Science to the World: Fifteen Project Symphony Members Attend the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago, IL

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 17:14:24 GMT

After an exciting research experience in summer ‘22 spent mostly in the Cornelia Hall laboratory, a team of fifteen Project Symphony members traveled to Chicago, IL and presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) with their faculty mentor, Dr. Sunghee Lee of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department. The theme of this year's ACS meeting was "Sustainability in a Changing World", which highlighted the critical role that Chemists play in addressing our environmental challenges, and how academia, industry, and government can work together to help create a more sustainable world. The Project Symphony team was honored to be part of an international conference, participated in sessions, workshops & networking opportunities, and presented seven research papers at Biomaterials & Biointerfaces session of the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry:

#1. Differential Interaction of Cannabidiol with Biomembranes Dependent on Cholesterol Concentration

#2. Characterization of electrical properties of model lipid membranes using a modified electrophysiological technique

#3. Calculations of DOPC/DOPE Bilayer Structural Properties at Different Compositions by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

#4. Effects of plant polyphenols on biophysical properties of model membranes

#5. Raman spectroscopic investigation of model lipid membranes containing cholesterol and small molecules

#6. Thermodynamic investigation of interactions of phytochemicals with model cell membranes

#7. Effect of different DOPC/DOPS Ratios on the Structural Properties of Biological Membranes

Dr. Lee recognized as one of two CUR 2022 Fellows Awardees

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:48:04 GMT

Dr. Lee has been awarded the 2022 CUR (Council on Undergraduate Research) Fellows recognition, one of two awardees given every other year. The CUR Fellows Award recognizes excellence in undergraduate research and related activities. https://www.cur.org/2022_fellows_awardees/

During the virtual award ceremony on April 21, 2022, Dr. Lee expressed how thankful she is for the precious times spent together with Project Symphony members over nearly two decades. She said "While the award is given in my name, this is really recognition for those Iona students who value undergraduate scholarship and have been enthusiastically involved in research activities with me. I am so very proud of all my past and current students and their accomplishments."

Many former Project Symphony members joined the virtual ceremony and reconnected with each other at the breakout session at the end. It was a memorable event that truly highlights the naming of Project Symphony, that the whole is greater than sum of its parts and its members work together in harmony as a team to achieve a shared goal, just as in a musical symphony orchestra. It's a beautiful sound we are making together.

Kudos to everyone in Project Symphony.

Dr. Lee's team publishes another research paper of 2022 in peer-reviewed Neurochemistry journal

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 17:56:47 GMT

Every day this past summer was filled with unparalleled excitement and energy in the basement of Cornelia Hall , where the research laboratory of Dr. Sunghee Lee is located. After a one year pause from in-person laboratory investigation in 2020, all members of Project Symphony (the name of Lee's research group) appreciated their opportunity to be immersed once again in hands-on research together, while maintaining safety protocols with facial masks.

Now we are enjoying fruits of these incredible efforts, with another peer-reviewed research article just published. The article is titled " Differential Interaction of Cannabidiol with Biomembranes Dependent on Cholesterol Concentration ", in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, a publication of American Chemical Society.

This paper is coauthored by six undergraduates, Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Michael Krmic ('22 Biochemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), Riley Porteus ('24 ACS Chemistry), under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee.

This project deals with the C an nabidiol (CBD) molecule, which has gained increasing attention among the public for its potential health benefits, especially related to certain crippling neurological disorders. Our study investigates the impact that CBD molecules have when interacting with membranes containing different amounts of cholesterol. Using a model of a cell membrane, we demonstrate that there is a sensitivity to the interaction of CBD molecules with cell membranes, depending on the quantity of cholesterol present. The significance of this finding is related to the potential use of CBD in pharmaceutical treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, the kind that are linked to varying levels of cholesterol in the central nervous system.

Congratulations to the project team!

Let's keep the positive energy and momentum going for the summer 2022.

Congratulations to Escarlin and Michael for Excellent Honors Thesis Presentations!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:10:10 GMT

Escarlin and Michael presented their Honors Theses, on Honors Thesis Day on Thursday, February 24, 2022, representing their four years of hard work. Their research presentations were at a top-notch professional level.

Escarlin's project involves studying thermodynamic properties of cell membranes and how it interacts with exogenous molecules such as drugs, while Michael has been focused on investigation of electrical properties of cell membranes based on the newly developed electrophysiology technique.

Their work has led to peer-reviewed publications already published and currently submitted to leading journals. This is an extremely notable accomplishment, largely due to their unparelled dedication!

Both Escarlin and Michael have been a role model and inspiration to the rest of the Project Symphony research team. We appreciate you!

Rachel, Joe, Lynnie, and AJ, our former Project Symphony members, at their white gown ceremony!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 01:14:37 GMT

Congratulations, Project Symphony Members, in their MD programs

Both Rachel and Joe are at SUNY Upstate Medical University; Lynnie at LECOM Pennsylvania and AJ at LECOM Florida. Congratulations!

Published-Structural determination of model phospholipid membranes by Raman spectroscopy

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 19:27:06 GMT

The research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee at Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, has just published a peer-reviewed education article, titled “Structural Determination of Model Phospholipid Membranes by Raman Spectroscopy: Laboratory Experiment”, appearing in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, a publication of Wiley ( https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21603 )

This article provides an experimental module designed to understand cell membranes through integrated concepts of chemical structure, molecular interactions, and membrane structural properties, using Raman spectroscopy of model cell membranes.

The main analytical tool used to investigate these systems is confocal Raman microspectrometer, an instrument acquired via a National Science Foundation (NSF)-Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant award (NSF-MRI-1427705). Since its introduction, the confocal Raman microspectrometer has been a central workforce for the enhancement of research and education at Iona College.

Many research papers in peer-reviewed journals have been published in recent years using confocal Raman spectrometer from the research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee, including " Ibuprofen and the Phosphatidylcholine Bilayer: Membrane Water Permeability in the Presence and Absence of Cholesterol " and " Molecular Organization in Mixed SOPC and SDPC Model Membranes: Water Permeability Studies of Polyunsaturated Lipid Bilayer ".

However, the publication of this article has a special meaning, because, as an educational article, its techniques can be readily implemented to enhance students learning in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and related sciences such as Biophysics and Cell Biology, and has great potential for wide dissemination to the education community.

This project is a result of diligent work over the course of many years, and is coauthored by five undergraduates, Joseph Giancaspro (’20 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan ('21 Biochemistry), Juan Rosario ('21 Biochemistry), Elizabeth Miller (’19 Biochemistry), Samuel Braziel (’18 Chemistry), under the guidance of Dr. Sunghee Lee. Samuel Braziel is the founding member of the Raman project, and who spent the most of his undergraduate research time to establish the protocols and initial parameterization, is now full-time employed in industry as an analytical scientist. Both Elizabeth Miller and Joseph Giancaspro, who dedicated themselves to developing optimum conditions of the method, are in Medical School, and Patrick Scollan (MS program in science education) and Juan Rosario (heading to Medical School) improved the application to the cell membrane models. This is truly an amazing harmonious team effort. Congratulations to the team!

Published: Ibuprofen and the Phosphatidylcholine Bilayer: Membrane Water Permeability in the Presence and Absence of Cholesterol

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:28:51 GMT

published ibuprofen and the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane water permeability in the presence and absence of cholesterol

published ibuprofen and the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane water permeability in the presence and absence of cholesterol published ibuprofen and the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane water permeability in the presence and absence of cholesterol The research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee has just published a peer-reviewed research article, titled “ published ibuprofen and the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane water permeability in the presence and absence of cholesterol Ibuprofen and the Phosphatidylcholine Bilayer: Membrane Water Permeability in the Presence and Absence of Cholesterol ”, appearing in Langmuir, a publication of American Chemical Society. This project is a result of another harmonious team effort, and is coauthored by nine undergraduates, Megan Wood (’19 Biochemistry), Michael Morales ('19 Biochemistry), Elizabeth Miller (’19 Biochemistry), Samuel Braziel (’18 Chemistry), Joseph Giancaspro ('20 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan ('20 Chemistry), Juan Rosario ('20 Biochemistry), Alyssa Gayapa ('19 Chemistry), Michael Krmic ('21 Biochemistry), and Dr. Lee. This article investigates the impact that the drug Ibuprofen has on the properties of model cell membranes in the presence and absence of cholesterol, including any changes in water transport properties and structural perturbation using various biophysical chemistry methods. Congratulations to the research team!

Highlighting Project Symphony Research Group with the Biophysics community worldwide

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:03:25 GMT

A recent blog post from the Biophysical Society has highlighted our research group, Project Symphony, and in so doing, shared our success with the biophysics community worldwide in creating an impactful four-year undergraduate research. Thank you to all former and current Project Symphony members for the team work!

Congratulations to Lynnie and AJ for perfect Honors Thesis Presentations!

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:16:07 GMT

Lynnie and AJ presented their Honors Theses, on Honors Thesis Day on Thursday, February 25, 2021, representing their four years of hard work. Their research presentations were at a top-notch professional level. Currently, their work is being prepared as a manuscript for a peer-reviewed publication to a leading journal.

Thank you both Lynnie and AJ for countless hours spent in and out of the lab for their research projects. This is also a team effort, as many other Project Symphony members made the research process fun and more meaningful with additional supporting research results.

Kudos for Lynnie and AJ, and Project Symphony as a whole!

Published: "Project Symphony" as a Template for Biophysics Education

slee@iona.edu (Sunghee Lee) — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 17:52:25 GMT

In an article published in the Journal "The Biophysicst" on Nov. 2020, co-authored by former Project Symphony members, we shared the successful track record of Project Symphony as a template for others to emulate.

This article, the culmination of more than a decade’s work with undergraduate students, presents practices demonstrating that early exposure to the interdisciplinary field of biophysics can be effectively introduced at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) level through a well-structured research plan involving undergraduates with different STEM majors.

We thank all current and former members of Project Symphony for their dedication and enthusiasm. This article is dedicated to the memory of our wonderful colleague Mr. Nick Milianta, who recently passed away from complications of coronavirus disease 2019. His technical expertise in all things microscope related allowed us to build our laboratory. His genuine passion for supporting young scientists will be greatly missed.

Congratulations, Jaclyn, on successfully defending her PhD thesis and becoming Dr. Jaclyn Robustelli!

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:05:00 GMT

Jaclyn Robustelli (‘14 BS Biochemistry), our former Project Symphony member, successfully defended her dissertation on “The molecular basis of membrane interactions of peripheral membrane proteins” under the guidance of Professor Tobias Baumgart, and earned her doctoral degree in Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania. She will start a Senior Scientist position in R&D at LifeSensors in Malvern, PA. Congratulations Jaclyn! We are all very proud of you.

Congratulations, Gabby, on successfully defending her Master’s thesis!

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:04:00 GMT

Gabby Di Domizio (‘18 BS Chemistry-ACS Certified), our former Project Symphony member, successfully defended her Master’s Thesis dissertation on “Understanding Competing Reaction Pathways in Nanoparticle Cation Exchange Processes Using the Tyndall Effect” under the guidance of Professor Raymond Schaak, and earned her Master’s degree in Chemistry at the Penn State University. Gabby graduated with an honor of Iona College Class Valedictorian.

Congratulations, Mick, starting his MD program at Cooper Medical School

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:02:00 GMT

Michael McGlone (’17 BS Physics), our former Project Symphony member, started his MD program in Fall 2020 at Cooper Medical in Camden, NJ. While at Iona, Mick involved in electrophysiology experiment determining membrane capacitance and traveled to Japan for NSF funded research at the University of Tokyo. After Iona, he worked as a research scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in NY.

Project Symphony has been cooking up some exciting virtual summer research experience

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 13:55:00 GMT

COVID-19 has disrupted the in-person research experience. However, it certainly did not influence Project Symphony’s kindred spirit and camaraderie. Over the summer, we met every Wednesday 3pm to share our progress on individual projects, take turns to present, and build our knowledge and friendship. All of us started the summer with some level of disappointment but ended with confidence and enthusiasm. Indeed, the bond between Project Symphony members is not something that can be jeopardized no matter what. We became even closer when we were apart. Go! Project Symphony!

“We’ve had the best quarantine summer of research possible! I loved seeing the smiling faces of Project Symphony every Wednesday. Working with my partner, Michael, has been quite rewarding as well. We concluded the summer with a short collaborative project and it was delightful to work together. I will miss the graduating members of our group — shoutout to Joe, Marnie and Regan for being awesome people!” – Kat (Sophomore)

“This wasn’t the summer I expected. When I heard the news that we couldn’t return to lab at all, I was very disappointed. However, Dr. Lee was able to create a memorable summer. I was excited every Wednesday for the zoom meeting.” – Jasmin (Sophomore)

Project Symphony Group Mourns the Loss of Mr. Nick Milianta

Sun, 31 May 2020 16:18:00 GMT

Our wonderful colleague Mr. Nick Milianta, an Iona Employee and father of former Project Symphony Member (Peter Milianta), has passed away from the complications of Covid-19. His technical expertise in all things microscope related allowed us to build our laboratory. His genuine passion for supporting young scientists will be greatly missed. We join his family and friends in mourning this true gentleman who contributed so much to our research lab and to its members.

Dr. Lee has received NSF Award from the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry of the National Science Foundation

Fri, 29 May 2020 02:40:00 GMT

The research proposal is titled “ Biomimetic Self-Assembly: Physical State and the Barrier Function to Water Permeation “. The Iona College “Project Symphony” research team will study how supramolecular self-assemblies at micrometer-sized liquid-liquid interfaces control the passage of water. The study will promote our understanding of how living cells can selectively retain and release their water content, which is an essential feature to understanding not only life’s origins but also the functions of major organs such as the skin and kidneys.

Go Project Symphony!

Published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)- Biomembranes (Elsevier Publication) “Molecular Organization in Mixed SOPC and SDPC Model Membranes: Water Permeability Studies of Polyunsaturated Li..

Fri, 29 May 2020 02:37:00 GMT

The research group of Dr. Sunghee Lee has just published a peer-reviewed research article, titled “ Molecular Organization in Mixed SOPC and SDPC Model Membranes: Water Permeability Studies of Polyunsaturated Lipid Bilayers ”, appearing in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes, an imprint of Elsevier Publications. The paper is coauthored by three undergraduates, Shea Foley (’19 Biochemistry), Elizabeth Miller (’19 Biochemistry), Samuel Braziel (’18 Chemistry), and Dr. Lee. This article investigates the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the properties of model cell membranes, as well as the process of water permeation across bilayer membranes, using the droplet interface bilayer model and Raman microspectroscopy. Congratulations to the research team!

Marnie Skinner (’20 BS Biochemistry) Selected as the NCAA® softball 2020 Senior CLASS Award

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:37:00 GMT

Marnie had the honor of making one of thirty Senior CLASS Award. Thirty of the top NCAA® softball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were selected as candidates for the 2020 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate softball. Marnie is a two-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection.

Coach Jansson says: “Marnie is a true leader in our program. She is someone that the coaching staff can always count on to bring out the best in her teammates and to work her absolute hardest. Her teammates rely on her to be a calming presence in the dugout and dominant force in the circle. Marnie puts the needs of the team before her own and wants to see her teammates succeed. Her positive attitude, as well as incredible work ethic, have led her to all the success and recognition she has received.”

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/softball_candidates_announced_for_the_2020_senior_class_award/

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/athletes/marnie_skinner/

Marnie Skinner (’20 BS Biochemistry) Accepted in PhD program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:36:00 GMT

Our Project Symphony member, Marnie Skinner, will start her PhD program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health beginning Fall 2020.

Marnie has been a Project Symphony member since her freshman summer and instrumental in carrying out the research project on the investigation of nanoparticles on model cell membranes. Her time-management skills and relentless pursuit of excellence are a true exemplar to the rest of Project Symphony.

Congratulations to Marnie!

Project Symphony Members Started their MD Programs

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 00:55:00 GMT

Megan Wood (’19 BS Biochemistry) in MD Program at Penn State College of Medicine. Megan Wood (‘19 BS Biochemistry), our former Project Symphony member, started her MD program at Penn…

Project Symphony Members Started their PhD Programs

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 00:33:00 GMT

Michael Morales (’19 BS ACS Chemistry) in PhD in Chemistry Program at Brown University. Michael Morales (‘19 BS Chemistry-ACS Certified), our former Project Symphony member, started his PhD program in…

Congratulations, Michelle, on becoming Dr. Michelle Muzzio!

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 03:12:00 GMT

Michelle Muzzio (‘15 BS Chemistry-ACS Certified & English), our former Project Symphony member, successfully defended her dissertation on “Paving the Way to Greener Chemistry with Alloy Nanoparticle Catalysts” under the guidance of Professor Shouheng Sun, and earned her doctoral degree in Chemistry at the Brown University. While at Brown, Michelle received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRFP). She will work as an Editor for the Cell Press Journal, iScience.

Congratulations, Erin, on becoming Dr. Erin Morgan!

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 03:11:00 GMT

Erin Morgan (‘13 BS Chemistry-ACS Certified), our former Project Symphony member, successfully defended her dissertation on “Delivery of NuBCP Peptide Targeting BCL-2 in Resistant Cancer Cells with Hollow Gold Nanoshells (HGN)” under the guidance of Professor Norbert Reich, and earned her doctoral degree in Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She currently works at Sorrento Therapeutics in San Diego.

Two Posters from Project Symphony Group Win ACS Colloid and Surface Chemistry Best Poster Awards

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 03:10:00 GMT

Two Posters from Project Symphony Group Win ACS Colloid and Surface Chemistry Best Poster Awards. Every year, Project Symphony group members make a big splash at the ACS National Meeting. Particularly this year, all eight research posters were presented in a single division, at the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, alongside graduate students, postdocs, and professionals from around the world. Two posters, from Marnie Skinner & Regan Warmoth (Biochemistry ’20) and Tavis Johnson (Chemistry ’21), won the ACS Colloid and Surface Chemistry best poster awards, given to only two undergraduate posters. Having two awards are given only to Iona presenters signifies the excellent scholarship demonstrated by Iona students.

Ten Project Symphony Group Members Trek to Nation’s Chemistry Hub to Present Their Research

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 03:07:00 GMT

Ten Project Symphony members proudly joined the international chemistry community at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, from August 24-28, 2019. They presented eight research posters describing their scientific research conducted at Iona College over the summer. Attending this National Meeting provided an excellent opportunity for these students to broaden their scope of experience in science, by meeting prominent international chemists, attending lectures, and displaying and explaining their own results.

Two Biochemistry Students to Perform Research in Italy In NSF-Sponsored International Collaboration 2019

Tue, 14 May 2019 03:20:00 GMT

Two Iona Students will join a research team in Italy this summer: Marnie Skinner (’20, Biochemistry) and Regan Warmoth (’20, Biochemistry) will join Professor Antonella Fontana and her research team at the University of Chieti in Italy (Department of Pharmacy of the Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara) in June, 2019.

These two students have been studying the interaction of nanomaterials and model cell membranes since their Freshman summer, and during their 5 weeks stay in Italy, they will expand this investigation to explore the capacity of specific nanomaterials to influence real cell membranes using various techniques.

This international research collaboration is supported by an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to Sunghee Lee, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Endowed Professor of Chemistry, to create and exploit new concepts in science and engineering and provide global leadership in research and education, and strengthen the nation’s STEM workforce through international research collaboration.

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

Mon, 06 May 2019 03:46:00 GMT

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 Group Make 16 Poster Presentations at the 10th Annual Iona Scholars Day, 2019.

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 01:33:00 GMT

Iona College hosted its 10th Annual Scholars Day to celebrate and showcase the scholarship and creative activities of Iona students on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. During this milestone event, our group, Project Symphony, made 16 poster presentations. Go Project Symphony!

Five Poster Presentations by Project Symphony Group Members at the NCUR 2019 at the Kennesaw State University, GA.

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 01:32:00 GMT

A group of 11 undergraduate scholars represented Iona College at the NCUR (National Conference on Undergraduate Research) at Kennesaw State University, from April 11-13, 2019. Among those, 5 poster presentations were proudly made by Project Symphony Group Members. This was a rewarding experience from which students gain a really valuable experience, personally and professionally.

Five Project Symphony Members Present Honors Thesis on Feb. 14, 2019

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 04:46:00 GMT

Michael Morales, Elizabeth Miller, Megan Wood, Shea Foley, and Brona O’Sullivan delivered their Honors Thesis Presentations on Feb. 14, 2019. This year’s five Honors Theses projects are truly exemplars of how Project Symphony works. All five theses illustrate interdisciplinary research projects that address specific aims that facilitate cross communication between individual projects, just as in a Symphony that includes multiple distinct sections with various musical instruments. We are proud of them and the music we make together. Congratulations on such an outstanding work and presentations!

Congratulations, Mona Ahohen on successfully defending her dissertation and becoming Dr. Mona Ahonen!

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 06:37:00 GMT

Mona Jasmine Ahonen ’14 (BS Chemistry-ACS Certified), our former Project Symphony member, successfully defended her dissertation, and earned her doctoral degree in Chemistry from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her Ph.D. dissertation is on “Nitric Oxide-Releasing Alginates as a Dual-Action Therapeutic for Cystic Fibrosis.” She wrote her dissertation under the guidance of Professor Mark Schoenfisch, Ph.D. Dr. Ahonen starts her role as a Senior Chemist at Vast Therapeutics in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina in February.

Published in Accounts of Chemical Research (ACS Publication) “Good to the Last Drop: Interfacial Droplet Chemistry, from Crystals to Biological Membranes

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 20:08:00 GMT

The culmination of more than a decade’s work in the Lee Soft Matter Lab at Iona College has found its way to Accounts of Chemical Research, the premier review journal of the American Chemical Society. The article, “Good to the Last Drop: Interfacial Droplet Chemistry, from Crystals to Biological Membranes” , synthesizes the research philosophy and results surrounding the chemistry of the droplet interface, as investigated by Dr. Lee and her students, Project Symphony Members, over many years.

Dr. Lee Presented at the “Women in Nanotechnology” Symposium at the Fall 2018 ACS National Meeting

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 07:23:00 GMT

Dr. Lee was invited as a speaker at the 256th ACS National Meeting in Boston, MA (August 2018), for their “Women in Nanotechnology” symposium. The presentation title was, “Soft surface…

Dr. Lee’s Chapter appears in Mom the Chemistry Professor, Springer, 2018

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 07:29:00 GMT

Dr. Lee has contributed a chapter titled “It always seems impossible until it’s done” in the newly publish book, Mom the Chemistry Professor. (Ed. Woznack, K., Charlebois, A., Cole, R.,…

Project Symphony Team Made Eleven Presentations at the ACS National Meeting in Boston, MA on August 19-23, 2018

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 19:20:00 GMT

Every summer, the Project Symphony Group Members makes a big splash at the ACS National Meeting. This year was no exception. A total of nineteen Iona undergraduate research students proudly joined the international chemistry community and presented their eleven research posters. All group members had an excellent opportunity to broaden their scope of experience in science, particularly on this year’s theme, “Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Beyond”. We are all excited to continue our research endeavor together and contribute to the broader community with the new knowledge. Job well-done: Go Project Symphony!

Congratulations, Paul Sanstead on successfully defending his dissertation and becoming Dr. Paul Sanstead!

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 19:24:00 GMT

Our former Project Symphony group member, Paul Sanstead (’11, Chemistry) successfully defended his dissertation, and earned his doctoral degree in Chemistry from University of Chicago, and was granted the title Dr. Paul Sanstead, on August 13, 2018.

His PhD dissertation is on “Investigation of DNA Dehybridization through Steady‐State and Transient Temperature‐Jump Nonlinear Infrared Spectroscopy” under the guidance of Professor Andrei Tokmakoff at the University of Chicago.

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

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:24:00 GMT

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.

Published in Langmuir (ACS Publication) Effects of Acyl Chain Unsaturation on Activation Energy of Water Permeability Across Droplet Bilayers of Homologous Monoglycerides: Role of Cholesterol

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 01:54:00 GMT

Our group’s recent paper, titled “Quantitative Raman microspectroscopy for water Our group’s recent paper, titled “Effects of Acyl Chain Unsaturation on Activation Energy of Water Permeability Across Droplet Bilayers of Homologous Monoglycerides: Role of Cholesterol” has been published in Langmuir, a publication of the American Chemical Society. The paper is coauthored by five undergraduates, Maria Lopez (’17 Biochemistry), Jacqueline Denver (’17 Biochemistry), Sue Ellen Evanglista (’17 Chemistry), Alessandra Armetta (’18 ACS Chemistry), Gabriella Di Domizio (’18 ACS Chemistry), and Dr. Lee. This paper investigates the relationship between lipid self-assembly at an aqueous droplet-droplet interface, and the process of water permeation across bilayer membranes. Using the droplet interface bilayer, we have investigated a membrane containing cholesterol to elucidate the role of cholesterol with these membranes by measuring its influence on water permeability and activation energies. Our findings allow us to delineate the exquisite interplay between membrane properties and structural components and understand the balanced contribution of each. Congratulations to the research team!

Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy is used to develop Water Transport Phenomena, Published in Analyst, a Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 01:24:00 GMT

Our group’s recent paper, titled “Quantitative Raman microspectroscopy for water permeability parameters at a droplet interface bilayer” has been published in Analyst, a Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. This paper is coauthored by undergraduate students, Samuel Braziel (’18), Kalen Sullivan (’17) and Dr. Lee. In this paper, we derive parameters for bilayer water transport across an isolated nanoliter aqueous droplet pair using confocal Raman microspectroscopy. This method provides a significant methodological advance in determining water permeability coefficients in a convenient and reliable way. Congratulations to the research team!

Alessandra to present at the Micro TAS 2017 International Conference

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 03:28:00 GMT

“Our group member, Alessandra Armetta ’18 (Chemistry) presented a poster, “Characterization of Monoolein Bilayer Thickness Using Specific Membrane Capacitance,” at The 21st International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (Micro TAS 2017), in Savannah, GA, during the week of October 22-26, 2017. This work is the result of the collaboration between the Shoji Takeuchi group at the University of Tokyo and the Sunghee Lee group at Iona College. Michael McGlone (’17 Physics) is also a coauthor of the selected poster presentation. Alessandra is one among few undergraduates who were selected to present their work in this prestigious and competitive symposium.”

Iona Receives Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Grant to Support Undergraduate Research Awards for Women

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 03:27:00 GMT

The Henry Luce Foundation has awarded Iona College a grant of $120,000 through its Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Program, and Dr. Lee is the CBL Program Director. The prestigious grant will support CBL Undergraduate Research awards for women who are majoring in the physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science – fields where women have been historically underrepresented nationally. “This grant will provide a truly transformative experience for our women in science at Iona. Science is all about action. Being able to get involved in research early in their undergraduate career in the physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science, will help enhance their confidence and further catalyze their pursuit of excellence both professionally and personally,” said Sunghee Lee, Ph.D., Board of Trustees endowed professor of science, chair of chemistry, and CBL program director at Iona College. “I am very excited to see the enthusiasm this grant will bring to the campus, not only to women in science but the wider Iona community.”

Professor Geraldine Richmond gives invited lectureship at Iona College

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:25:00 GMT

The prestigious Jean Dreyfus Lectureship Award from The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation to Iona Chemistry Department was watershed moment for its faculty and students. As part of this award, Professor Geraldine (Geri) Richmond has been honored as a Jean Dreyfus Lecturer at Iona College. During her two-day residence on April 11-12 in 2017, she delivered a keynote speech at the 8th Annual Iona Scholars Day event, entitled “Empowering Global Scientific Engagement”, and also delivered a technical talk entitled “Understanding the Love-Hate Relationship between Oil and Water” for a scientific audience.

Project Symphony Team of Eighteen at the ACS National Meeting in Washington, DC on August 20-24, 2017

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:20:00 GMT

As a capstone experience for student researchers in the summer 2017, eighteen Iona undergraduate research students and their faculty mentors, Dr. Sunghee Lee and Dr Rodney Versace, proudly joined the international chemistry community and presented their research at the 254th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Washington DC. The students presented ten posters summarizing their research results.

Alessandra to Perform Summer Research at the University of Tokyo, an NSF-Sponsored International Collaboration

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:17:00 GMT

This summer, Alessandra Armetta (’18 ACS Chemistry) joined a globally renowned scientific team in Tokyo to perform research in the field of Biophysical Chemistry. This opportunity was enabled by the NSF Award to Dr. Lee for an international research collaboration with Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo. She follow Peter J. Milianta (Class of 2016, Biochemistry), Michael McGlone (Class of 2017, Physics), and Jacqueline Denver (Class of 2017, Biochemistry) who traveled last two years to Japan for a month-long research project.

Dr. Lee noted, “This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to experience a true intellectual collaboration. Every year, research partners were very impressed by our students’ contribution, hence our fruitful partnership continues. Their summer experience will provide an even greater level of confidence and strength towards their careers in science in the future. I am very proud to be able to offer this opportunity, and they deserve it!” Alessandra’s contribution to the work led to the publication of proceedings at the renowned International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (micro-TAS 2017), where she will present her research finding titled, “Characterization of Monoolein Bilayer Thickness Using Specific Membrane Capacitance” on October 22-26, in Savannah, Georgia.

Published in Langmuir (ACS Publication): Enthalpic Effects of Chain Length and Unsaturation on Water Permeability Across Droplet Bilayers of Homologous Monoglycerides

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 03:15:00 GMT

Dr. Lee’s recent paper, titled “Enthalpic Effects of Chain Length and Unsaturation on Water Permeability Across Droplet Bilayers of Homologous Monoglycerides” has been published in Langmuir, a publication of the American Chemical Society.

The paper is coauthored by three undergraduates, Maria Lopez (’17 Biochemistry), Sue Ellen Evanglista (’17 Chemistry), and Melissa Morales (’16 Chemistry). In this paper, a deeper understanding of unassisted passive transport of water permeation across lipid membranes was attained by studies using a droplet interface bilayer (DIB) formed by the contact of two aqueous droplets in an immiscible solvent containing bilayer-forming surfactant. We have investigated the effect of acyl chain structure of amphiphilic monoglycerides on the osmotic permeability of water across DIB membranes composed of these monoglycerides, where the acyl chain length (C14 to C24), number of double bonds (1–4), and the position of double bond are varied systematically along the acyl chains. Both permeability values and activation energies have been extracted for water transport across a lipid bilayer formed of a homologous series of lipids, allowing us to make ready comparisons between the different lipids and potentially better elucidate the contributions that molecular motifs make to the permeation process. Congratulations to the research team!

Project Symphony Team of Thirteen Made Six Presentations at the ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia, PA on August 20‐25, 2016

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 20:00:00 GMT

The Project Symphony team presented six posters summarizing their research results, (1) Determining the thickness of droplet interface bilayers from capacitance measurements using a modified electrophysiological amplification technique, (2) Influence of intercalant on the lipid bilayer membrane: Water permeability studies, (3) Effects of cis and trans double bonds on lipid membrane properties, (4) Biomimetic membrane and ion effects: Water permeability and thermal property, (5) Micro-Raman for direct visualization of water transport in an individual aqueous droplet, and (6) Mitigating condensation by cholesterol with unsaturated lipids: Effect on permeability.

Job well-done, Project Symphony!

Congratulations to Michelle Muzzio (’15): Awardee of NSF Graduate Research Fellowship!

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Michelle Muzzio (’15), our former Project Symphony member and Class of 2015 Valedictorian, who is currently in the Chemistry PhD program at Brown University, has been selected to receive an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship is awarded to just 2,000 students each year (from a pool of over 17,000 applicants) and provides three years of financial support within a five-year fellowship period ($34,000 annual stipend) for her graduate study at Brown. Michelle proposes to develop a nanoparticle-based catalytic system to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide into useful chemical products.

NSF proposal reviewers in particular praised her exceptional academic and research preparation at Iona College, with three peer-reviewed publications as an undergraduate under the mentorship of Professor Sunghee Lee.

Congratulations, Michelle!

Dr. Lee Awarded NSF Grant of $324,999 for Soft Materials Chemistry

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 18:00:00 GMT

The funded project, “RUI: Structural Determinants of Permeation and Nucleation at a Self-Assembled Interface,” will support the investigations of Dr. Sunghee Lee, Board of Trustees Endowed Professor and Chair of Chemistry, and her active undergraduate research program for the period of September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2020.

Through this research program, Dr. Lee will work to secure a greater fundamental understanding of how living cells maintain their water balance essential to the sustenance of life, and will use the nature-inspired techniques discovered through this work to create tailor-made particles for a wide variety of uses in technology and industry.

Two Iona Science Students from Dr. Sunghee Lee’s Research Group to Perform Summer Research at the University of Tokyo, an NSF-Sponsored International Collaboration

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 17:00:00 GMT

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded funding to Dr. Sunghee Lee in the Chemistry Department to promote an international research collaboration with Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo. Two students from Dr. Lee’s Research Group – Jacqueline Denver (Class of 2017, Biochemistry) and Michael McGlone (Class of 2017, Physics) – will be joining a globally renowned scientific team in Tokyo this summer to perform research in the field of Biomimetic Soft Materials Chemistry. These students will be involved in separate research projects and travel to Japan at different times during the summer. They follow Peter J. Milianta (Class of 2016, Biochemistry) who traveled last year to Japan for a month-long research project. Dr. Lee noted, “This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to experience a true intellectual collaboration. Last year, our research partners were very impressed by Peter’s contribution, hence our fruitful partnership continues. Michael and Jacqueline have been role models in my research laboratory, leading very successful projects. Their summer experience will provide an even greater level of confidence and strength towards their careers in science in the future. I am very proud to be able to offer this opportunity, and they deserve it!” The NSF awards this 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.”

PJ Milianta (Biochemistry, Class of 2016) to Present Research on Capitol Hill

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

PJ has been accepted for participation in the 20th Annual Posters on the Hill in Washington DC, which will take place on April 19-20, 2016, as sponsored by the national Council on Undergraduate Research. His research under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee, Board of Trustees Endowed Professor and Chair of Chemistry, was chosen as one of 60 posters from 300 highly competitive applications. PJ will join a selected elite group of undergraduate student researchers to have an opportunity to present and testify the significance of research initiatives to members of Congress and the Senate on Capitol Hill.

Our Recent Work on the interactions of self-assembled monolayers and crystals published in Langmuir, 2015, ACS Publications

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Our group’s recent paper, “Adaptability of monoglyceride-induced crystallization of K2SO4: Effect of various anions and lipid chain splay,” appears in the journal “Langmuir”, a publication of the American Chemical Society. The paper is coauthored by two undergraduates, Omoakhe Tisor (’15 Biochemistry), Michelle Muzzio (’15 Chemistry), and one High School student, David Lopez (New Rochelle High School, class of ’15). Congratulations to the research team!

Big Splash of Project Symphony Team of Fourteen at the ACS National Meeting in Boston MA on August 15‐20, 2015

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 14:00:00 GMT

As a capstone experience for student researchers in the summer 2015, fourteen Iona undergraduate research students and their faculty mentor, Dr. Sunghee Lee, proudly joined the international chemistry community and presented their research at the 250th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Boston, MA. Dr. Lee presented the talk at the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, titled “Droplet Interface Bilayer: A Model for Biomembrane Water Permeability Studies”. The students also presented four posters summarizing their research results; (1) “Influence of Tail-Group Lipid Chain Structure on Water Permeability in Artificial Biological Membrane” (2) “Tuning of Membrane Permeability via Various Ion Interactions” (3) “The Formation of Symmetric and Asymmetric Droplet Interface Bilayers: Water Permeability Studies” and (4) “Effects of Solvent and Method of Preparation on Artificial Biological Membrane.”

Dr. Lee Named as Iona College Board of Trustees Endowed Professor

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 20:00:00 GMT

The Iona College Board of Trustees has created the first fully endowed professorship, part of the College’s strategic plan, Advancing Our Legacy and Defining Our Future, and its comprehensive fundraising campaign, Iona Forever. The first holder of the professorship will be Sunghee Lee, Ph.D., professor of Analytical Chemistry and department chair. The honor also will carry a stipend, additional funds for research and scholarly activity, along with the title of Iona College Board of Trustees Endowed Professor in Science. “Dr. Lee serves as a model faculty member who blends excellent teaching with original research and provides her students with the opportunity to collaborate with her on significant projects in her lab,” said Michael Marsden, Ph.D., Iona’s acting provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Read more news release (4/24/2014).

Significant New Droplet Crystallization Technique Published in CrystEngComm, a Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Dr. Lee’s recent paper, titled “Tunable crystallization via osmosis-driven transport across a droplet interface bilayer” has been published in CrystEngComm, a Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. This paper is coauthored by Zuzanna Michalak (’13), Darius Fartash (’13), Nousin Haque (’13). In this paper, we demonstrate osmosis-driven nucleation of crystallizable solutes using a droplet interface bilayer (DIB) system. Such systems provide rapid and highly configurable platforms for the control and study of crystallization phenomena at the microdroplet level. This work is significant for future applications of droplet technology in crystallizing targets such as proteins, where the availability of ever newer methods for inducing crystal formation are consistently in demand. Congratulations to the research team!

Our Group Member, Michelle Muzzio, named as 2015 Iona Valedictorian

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:00:00 GMT

Michelle Muzzio (’15, Chemistry and English) is named as 2015 valedictorian. Michelle’s senior honors thesis, “Advances of the Droplet Interface Bilayer (DIB): Modeling the Biological Membrane and Beyond” (Dr. S. Lee, advisor/mentor), was conferred with distinction. Michelle will start a PhD program in Chemistry at Brown University in the Fall 2015.

Our Recent Work on the water permeability across symmetric and asymmetric droplet interface bilayers published in Langmuir, 2015, ACS Publications

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Our group’s recent paper, titled “Water Permeability Across Symmetric and Asymmetric Droplet Interface Bilayers: Interaction of Cholesterol Sulfate with DPhPC” appears in the journal Langmuir, a publication of the American Chemical Society. The paper is coauthored by four undergraduates, Peter J. Milianta (Biochemistry ’16), Michelle Muzzio (Chemistry ’15), Jacqueline Denver (Biochemistry ’17), and Geoffrey Cawley (Chemistry ’16). Congratulations to the research team!

Our Recent Work Establishes Effect of Cholesterol on Membrane Water Permeability using Droplet Bilayer (Published in Langmuir, ACS Publications)

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Dr. Lee’s recent paper, titled “Effect of Monoglyceride Structure and Cholesterol Content on Water Permeability of the Droplet Bilayer” has been published in Langmuir, a publication of the American Chemical Society. The paper is coauthored by four undergraduates, Zuzanna Michalak (’13 Chemistry), Michelle Muzzio (’15 Chemistry), Peter J. Milianta (’16 Biochemistry), and Rosario Giacomini (’15 Biochemistry). In this paper, the process of water permeation across lipid membranes was investigated using a droplet interface bilayer (DIB) by contacting two aqueous droplets in an immiscible solvent containing bilayer-forming surfactant. We demonstrate that the DIB can be employed as a convenient model membrane to rapidly explore subtle structural effects on bilayer water permeability. This work lays the groundwork for the further development of DIB systems for the study of a wide variety of other processes involving small molecule permeation. Congratulations to the research team!

Our Recent Paper Published in Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:00:00 GMT

Our paper titled “Sensitivity of Cationic Surfactant Templates to Specific Anions in Liquid Interface Crytallization” has been published in Journal of Colloid and Interface Science . This paper is coauthored by Paul Sanstead (’11), Nick Florio (’11), Kiersten Giusto (’12) and Catherine Morris (’12). This paper describes the effect of specific ions on template capability of wide variety of cationic surfactants to nucleate inorganic crystals. Surprisingly we discovered that similar quarternary ammonium surfactants can have differential sensitivity to specific ions, revealing complex interplay among surfactant structure, solute, and oil solvent. Our results should contribute to an increase in understanding of how supramolecular aggregates at the liquid-liquid interface promote the synthesis of particles (e.g., nanoparticles and crystals) having vital importance to nature, technology, health, and industry. Congratulations to the research team!

Twelve Group Members Trek to Nation’s Chemistry Hub, Present Their Research

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 20:01:00 GMT

Twelve group members attended and presented their research at the 246th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Indianapolis, IN. The student attendees were Jaclyn Robustelli (’14, Biochemistry), Peter Vitale (’14, Biochemistry), Michelle Muzzio (’15, Chemistry), Omoakhe Tisor (’15, Biochemistry), Rosario Giacomini (’15, Biochemistry), Safiat Ayinde (’15 Biochemistry), Peter Milianta (’16, Biochemistry), Ricardo Oliveira (’16, Chemistry), Jacqueline Martinez (’16, Chemistry), Melissa Morales (’16, Chemistry), Geoffrey Cawley (’16, Chemistry) and Sean Campbell (’16, Computer Science). The student team made three presentations to an audience of interested chemists. Read more on Iona College’s website.

Four Chemistry Students Present Three Research Posters at the 50th Eastern Analytical Symposium on Nov. 15-16, 2011

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Professor Sunghee Lee (Chemistry) and four Iona Chemistry majors presented their research at the 50th Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) on Nov. 15-16, held at Somerset, New Jersey. EAS is the world’s leading community for analytical chemists. Three research posters were presented at this symposium; (1) “Monitoring the Structural Integrity of Soluble Proteins by NIR” by Alexander Soderberg (Senior) and Erin Morgan (Junior); (2) “Measurement of Refractive Index and Temperature of Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Reagents and Solutions by NIR” by Allyson Moffat (Junior) and Jaclyn Robustelli (Sophomore); and (3) Development and Validation of an “FTNIR Method for Identification of Spectrally Similar Materials using a Hierarchial Approach” by Alexander Soderberg (Senior). The research is funded by the Bruker Optics Inc., which loaned state-of-the art science equipment called “Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrometer” to Dr. Lee’s research group and her students. The students are also grateful to Mr. John Richmond, the Vice President of NIR & Process Technology of Bruker, and external collaborator and world leading NIR expert, Mr. Emil Ciurczak, and Ms. Cynthia Kradjel for support.

Dr. Lee Receives the 2013 Rising Star Award from the Women Chemists Committee (WCC) of the American Chemical Society (ACS)

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 18:00:00 GMT

This award recognizes ten exceptional women scientists approaching mid-level careers across all sectors [academic, industrial, government and non-profit] who have demonstrated outstanding promise for contributions to their respective fields. Dr. Lee received this award “for excellence in the development and understanding of the liquid-liquid interface, and passionately nurturing the talents of a large array of undergraduates in publishable research projects”. She presented her work at an awards symposium at the 245th National Meeting of the ACS in New Orleans, LA on Monday, April 8th 2013.

Our Group Members Present Research at the 242nd ACS National Meeting at Denver, Colorado on Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2011

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:33:00 GMT

Five group members presented their research at the 242nd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting on Aug. 28-Sept.1, held at Denver, Colorado. Around the theme, “Chemistry of Air, Space & Water,” over 10,000 chemists from all over the world joined this national meeting to share their knowledge, network and learn about cutting-edge research. One poster was presented at the Colloid and Surface Science Division, “Effect of cationic surfactant template and its interaction with specific anion” by Paul Sanstead ’11 and Nick Florio ’11. Another poster was presented at the Division of Chemical Education, entitled, “Modulation of contact angle of droplet interface bilayers: Effect of ionic nature and strength” by Darius Fartash ’13, Zuzanna Michalak ’13, and Nousin Haque ’13. The research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is the second year of a three-year, $157,705 NSF grant. The students are also grateful to the Patrick J. Martin Foundation, Eli Lilly/WCC, and AMEX grant for enabling them to attend this conference.

Dr. Lee Receives Westchester Chemical Society NY Section of ACS-Distinguished Scientist 2013

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 20:38:00 GMT

Dr. Lee has been the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Chemical Society’s NY section’s Westchester Chemical Society. The award was in recognition of Dr. Lee’s “Advanced studies in surface chemistry of droplets for the fundamental understanding of self-assembly at interfaces, and for passionately cultivating the talents of a large array of undergraduate researchers”. The ceremony and lecture took place on Wednesday, May 1, at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. Thirteen Iona Chemistry students were in attendance.