Iona University Chemistry Students Showcase Findings in San Francisco
Photo front left: Jamie Gudyka ’24 (ACS Biochemistry), Shakinah Silverberg ’24 (Biology/Chemistry minor), Dr. Lee, Mary Herrera ’25 (Chemistry), Jasmin Ceja Vega ’23 (ACS Biochemistry) Back left: Wilber Perla ’25 (ACS Chemistry), Joseph Fosella ’25 (Chemistry), Zachary Morocho ’24 (Biochemistry), Riley Porteus ’24 (ACS Chemistry/Math minor), Christopher Poust ’25 (Chemistry)
From the science labs of Cornelia Hall all the way to San Francisco, nine Iona University undergraduate students recently presented their research findings at the American Chemical Society conference alongside their mentor, Dr. Sunghee Lee, a Board of Trustees endowed professor in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department.
The students verbally presented their findings and were able to converse with others in their field from all over the world.
“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,” Lee said. “Their exposure to the international network of scientists at this event will inspire them to pave their own scientific career paths and interests.”
Jamie Gudyka ’24, an ACS-certified Biochemistry major, said the connections and information taken away from the conference are endless and inspiring.
“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 Ph.D. students,” said Gudyka. “It makes me excited for the future and reinforced my desire to pursue an MD/Ph.D. degree after graduating.”
Christopher Poust ’25, a 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 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.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.