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

Sunghee Lee • March 20, 2022

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 Cannabidiol (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. 

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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