Iona’s Undergraduate Research Team Shines at 2024 American Chemical Society National Meeting
Undergraduate students stood alongside Ph.D. students and post-doctoral students from around the world
From left: Amani Rabadi ’25, Jessica Said ’26, Caroline Scott ’25, Mary Herrera ’25, Dr. Sunghee Lee, Mackenna Agosti ’26, Elizabeth Andersen ’26, Wilber Perla ’25, Christopher Poust ’25, and Joseph Fosella ’25.
New Rochelle, N.Y. - Project Symphony, Iona University’s undergraduate research team led by Dr. Sunghee Lee, endowed professor, made a remarkable impact at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting held in Denver from August 18-22, 2024.
Nine talented undergraduate researchers showcased their scientific findings with seven posters in the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry.
“I am incredibly proud of our students for their impressive contributions,” said Lee. “As they continue to explore new endeavors, I have no doubt they will each make an impact in the field of chemistry.”
Their presentations were the result of extensive lab work during summer sessions and busy academic semesters. This outstanding representation at the ACS National Meeting exemplifies Project Symphony’s spirit of collaborative research and shared achievement.
Beyond their academic success, the team enjoyed Denver’s cultural attractions, including a stunning sunrise at Red Rocks Park and inspiring museum visits, which further strengthened their bonds.
Congratulations to the following participants on their recent accomplishment:
- Amani Rabadi ’25, Biology
- Jessica Said ’26, Biology
- Caroline Scott ’25, Chemistry
- Mary Herrera ’25, Chemistry
- Mackenna Agosti ’26, Biochemistry
- Elizabeth Andersen ’26, Biology
- Wilber Perla ’25, Chemistry
- Christopher Poust ’25, Chemistry
- Joseph Fosella ’25, Chemistry
Students interested in Project Symphony can find additional details here.
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.