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

Sunghee Lee • August 20, 2023

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.”

Project Symphony at ACS Fall 2026

By Sunghee Lee • August 28, 2026
Project Symphony members proudly presented seven research posters at the ACS Fall Meeting in Chicago in the Biomaterials and Biointerfaces session of the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Presenting in this highly professional research setting—alongside graduate students and Ph.D.-level chemistry researchers—was a meaningful opportunity for our students to share their work, exchange ideas, and represent Project Symphony. This year’s group photograph is especially meaningful because it includes two Project Symphony alumni from the classes of 2015 and 2010, pictured at the far left and far right. Both are now accomplished scientists, and their return is a wonderful reminder of the lasting legacy of Project Symphony and the close-knit scientific community we have built over the past two decades. I am immensely proud of the hard work, dedication, and growth that led to these presentations. Congratulations to all of our presenters—keep up the excellent work!

Project Symphony Spotlight: Celebrating Colleen Clarke

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

Celebrating Project Symphony at ISD 2026

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