Exploring the Role of Collagen Genes in Head/Neck Cancer Tumor Micro-environment

Haneen Makki, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biology

The capstone process was a rewarding and challenging experience. At first, I was somewhat anxious and overwhelmed about taking on such a complex subject, but I also had tremendous hopes.
My project examined the function of collagen genes (COL4A1, COL5A1, and COL6A1) in the tumor microenvironment of head and neck cancer. I was initially concerned about understanding the methods used in computational biology and the extent of the required research. However, as I delved deeper, I became fascinated by collagen's intricate role in cancer development. Each new piece of information reinforced my determination to tackle the challenges and expand my field knowledge.
During the study, I learned a lot about head and neck cancer, particularly about the role that tumor form plays in medication resistance. Desmoplasia, the tumor's protective environment, is produced by collagen fibers and reduces the efficacy of treatments. Understanding how different collagen genes impact this structure could result in more effective treatments.
My team and I utilized computational biology techniques to analyze gene expression data and assess the influence of collagen genes on patient outcomes and overall survival rates. Witnessing how biological data could be converted into valuable insights regarding cancer treatment was remarkable.
The discovery of the connections between various kinds of cancer was one of the biggest surprises of this procedure. Our research was a component of a broader investigation that looked into collagen expression in skin, lung, breast, brain, and head and neck malignancies. This helped me understand the wider ramifications of our findings and how studies conducted in one medical sector might influence others. I was also taken aback by the degree of cooperation required for study. I felt a sense of purpose and saw the importance of teamwork in the research field while working with other teams and contributing to a more significant scientific endeavor.
My capstone project aided in my personal development in unexpected ways. I became more confident in my ability to address challenging scientific problems and realized that it is more effective to rise to the challenge than to retreat. As I witnessed the results of my efforts, my initial anxiety and self-doubt slowly transformed into enthusiasm. Due to this experience, my interest in cancer research has grown, reaffirming the value of tenacity, teamwork, and critical thinking in scientific research.

Ancient Cultures Course SLS 301 Reflection

Adriana D’Esposito, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in SLS Early Childhood Education

When I enrolled in the SLS 301 course on Ancient Cultures, I didn't expect to relate to the course in any way, shape or form. However, as the semester progressed and the course kept developing, I realized I was wrong. There are a few articles, stories, and plays that have stayed with me since taking this course. One of them is The Odyssey.

I didn’t expect to find much of myself in a Greek poem about a war hero sailing home from battle and fighting monsters. But then I came across the character Odysseus in the cave with the Cyclops, and suddenly, this ancient poem didn’t seem so distant anymore.

The Cyclops episode was one of the most interesting parts of The Odyssey for me—not just because of the insane actions described within the scene, but because of what it revealed about Odysseus as a person. It describes this man who is clever enough to trick a man-eating giant simply just by calling himself “Nobody”, only to blow the whole thing when he can’t resist shouting out his real name as he sails away. That mix of brilliance and pride, is something I'm sure many can relate to in this day in age.

I can’t say I’ve ever been trapped in a cave by a Cyclops, but I’ve been in situations where being smart wasn’t enough—I had to be humble, too. For instance, think of a time when someone solves a problem during a group conversation, or notices a mistake someone else missed. It feels good to speak up and be the one who figured it out, right? But sometimes, instead of just helping or moving forward, people might go a step further to highlight that it was they who saved the day. That extra moment of showing off can change the whole tone of a situation. What could have been a quiet success turns into unnecessary tension. Just like Odysseus, the clever escape is ruined by the need to be recognized.

What surprised me most about these stories was how relevant these ancient values continue today. In ancient Greek culture, cleverness and bravery were prized, but so was knowing when to not say too much in certain situations. That’s still true today, whether you’re leading a team, applying for a job, or just navigating social media. We admire people who are bold and smart—but we also watch them closely looking for moments when their pride can go too far. Odysseus’s story could just as easily play out today, just with a few differences. Instead of yelling from a ship, he'd be posting a victory selfie with the caption: “Escaped the Cyclops. You’re welcome. #Hero.”

This course helped me see that even though ancient cultures were very different from the world we live in today, the people were not. They had strengths, flaws, relationships, and egos—just like we do. Odysseus isn’t just some mythical figure from long ago. He’s a reminder that cleverness needs balance, and that our greatest strengths can sometimes become our greatest weaknesses. That lesson is timeless and embedded within this SLS 301 course.

Analysis of EGFR/RAS Isoforms in Melanoma and Effects of PKI-166 on EGFR

Abedalfattah Twam, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biology 

My research goal was to look into melanoma and how expression levels of different oncogenes can impact patient prognostics. The oncogenes I chose for this study were EGFR and the isoforms of RAS which consist of Kras, Hras and Nras. Using the Kaplan Meier database, I found that higher expression levels from EGFR and Hras were associated with shorter survival times in patients with melanoma whereas Kras and Nras expression levels were found to have no significant impact. Additionally, I also researched PKI-166. PKI-166 was a drug which had inhibitory effects on EGFR reducing its activities, however it had many adverse effects leading to it being discontinued.

I chose this area of research because I strive to become a future healthcare provider. I believe the knowledge I learned from taking on this research and also the skills I've developed throughout will help me as a future provider. Reading through a variety of publications and using resources like Google Scholars to find relevant information was a major challenge and at times very exhausting, and it taught me just how challenging researching can be and the amount of patience needed.

If I were to ever go back and add to my research, I would like to study which oncogenes are found to impact melanoma patient prognostics, how common these oncogenes are, and possible treatment options.

Overall, this experience was challenging but very rewarding!

PKI-166 Structure

The Impacts of Climate Change on Malaria Transmission on Sub-Saharan Africa

Malak Alkiswani, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completing major in Biology

My research explored how climate change is affecting malaria transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are creating more favorable conditions for mosquitoes, which are vectors of the protist disease malaria. I reviewed 13 peer-reviewed studies and found that warmer climates led to faster mosquito breeding and malaria spread, particularly in areas like the East African highlands where cooler temperatures used to keep mosquito populations at bay. I also found that while rainfall can increase mosquito breeding grounds, its effects vary by region. Importantly, the research showed that social factors, such as conflict and healthcare access, also play a major role. In areas experiencing war or lacking medical resources, malaria rates rise even more. Overall, the study shows that fighting malaria will require both climate awareness and strong public health strategies.

I became interested in this topic after learning how climate change impacts even the smallest organisms, including mosquitoes. That made me realize how connected the environment is to human health. I expected the capstone to be very difficult, but it turned out to be easier and more enjoyable than I thought. This was mostly because the project was one I was genuinely interested in and my faculty advisor was incredibly supportive. The most challenging part was reading through so many research papers filled with complex vocabulary, unfamiliar statistical tests, and complex result graphs. But once I took the time to understand those concepts, the rest of the project came together smoothly. I was surprised by how well all the information aligned in the end and how meaningful the findings felt.

If I were to expand this research, I’d focus on holding certain variables constant, expanding the geographic scope, or exploring how improving access to healthcare might decrease malaria despite rising temperatures. What I’m taking away from this experience is that climate change affects every living organism, including us humans. Seeing how environmental shifts directly impact public health gave me a deeper appreciation for the urgency and complexity of climate issues.

Post-translational Modifications of H3 Nucleosomal Histone Tails

Mohammad Moussa, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biochemistry and minor in Psychology

Presenting my capstone research on histone acetylation and nucleosome dynamics stands out as one of the most rewarding moments of my undergraduate journey. After two years in Dr. Loverde's molecular dynamics lab, I was excited to share how our computational approach revealed how chemical modifications alter chromatin structure at the atomic level.

As I began my presentation, I focused on making complex biophysical concepts accessible. I used clear visuals of the nucleosome structure and dynamic simulations to show how acetylating specific lysine residues reduced histone-DNA interactions. When I displayed our key finding—the acetylated nucleosome's broader radius of gyration distribution compared to the compact wild-type. I saw audience members nodding in understanding. This moment validated the months I'd spent troubleshooting simulations and refining analyses.

The capstone was an amazing experience. Faculty members as well as fellow students asked insightful questions about connecting our simulations to biological systems and about the therapeutic implications for cancer. I found myself synthesizing information from papers I'd read months earlier, realizing how deeply this project had shaped my scientific thinking. What surprised me most was my own transformation throughout this journey.