Exploring the Effects of Abnormal Tau Protein Expression in the Brain, Kidney, and Testes

Sethara Karunatilake, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biology and minor in Humanities Honors

My research focused on studying how abnormal forms of a protein called Taurine affect different parts of the body: the brain, the kidneys, and the testes. Tau proteins are mainly known for their role in Alzheimer’s disease, where they form harmful clumps inside brain cells. However, we wanted to explore if these abnormal proteins might also cause problems in other organs, not just the brain. Using lab techniques like immunostaining and confocal microscopy, we observed where Tau proteins were located in tissue samples and how they interacted with other important cellular components.

In the brain, we found that abnormal Tau disrupted key receptor systems, especially in areas that are important for memory and learning. In the kidneys, we saw that Tau affected receptors involved in blood pressure control. In the testes, abnormal Tau appeared to interfere with structures important for sperm production. These results suggest that when Tau goes wrong, it may have broader impacts on the body than previously thought, raising important questions about how therapies aimed at Tau in the brain might unintentionally affect other organs.

I first came across this research area while taking a six-hour lab with Dr. Alonso. I liked the fact that everything in her research area was backed up by what was visible by confocal images. If we knew what antibodies we’re using and which part of the cell they were targeting, we could make an analysis on how the proteins interacted with the tissue samples. I’ve always been interested in participating in a research project and since I already had background knowledge from the 6-hour lab, it was easier to apply it to my own project. When I learned that Tau proteins are found in other tissues, not just the brain, questions like “why were they there, and could they cause harm outside the brain too?”, were raised. With the help and guidance from my mentor, this motivated me to explore the topic further through my independent study project.

Before starting my capstone, I expected the project to feel very structured and straightforward, a lot like following a detailed lab manual. In reality, it was much more open ended. I had to troubleshoot unexpected problems, like weaker staining signals or inconsistent tissue samples. Research turned out to be less about following a recipe and more about constantly adapting and thinking critically. This was both exciting and a little overwhelming at times.

One of the biggest challenges was learning to be patient with slow progress. Sometimes it took days to get one good result. It was also challenging to interpret complex patterns in the data where it wasn’t always obvious what the findings meant, especially since this was my first time working on an independent study like this. On the other hand, once I got the hang of the lab techniques, the actual hands-on work became easier. It was surprising to me how much time and effort goes into obtaining even a single clear image. I remember spending hours at the confocal imaging facility; however, in the end it was all worth it.

If I were to expand this research, I would want to see if there are variations or differences in the effects of mice that might be of different sexes and ages. For example, do mice that are younger show less or more impacts of tau than those that may be more mature, and do female mice react differently to these abnormal proteins than male mice, because maybe not all abnormal Tau proteins behave the same way.

Overall, this research experience taught me how unpredictable science can be and how important creativity and critical thinking skills are when things don’t go according to plan. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for how interconnected the body’s systems are. I’m leaving this project not just with technical skills, but with an open mind about biology and disease. I’m excited to carry this experience forward into my future experiences. 

Echoes of Understanding: Exploring Schizophrenia's Ripple Effect on Relationships: A Literature Review

Jordan Pernice, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Psychology 

My research area was inspired by a deep interest in understanding the correlation between mental health and human relationships. As a psychology major, I’ve always been fascinated by how mental health disorders affect interpersonal connections. Schizophrenia stood out as particularly misunderstood, profoundly impacting to those who have it. My motivation stemmed from a desire to bridge the gap between clinical understanding and human empathy.

Initially, I thought the capstone would be a straightforward academic exercise. In reality, it was much more. It became a journey of discovery, pushing me to question stereotypes, connect with the emotional narratives behind the data, and explore the societal implications of stigma. It was intellectually challenging, but also deeply personal. By the end, I felt like I had not just written a literature review, but had also contributed to promoting understanding and compassion for those impacted by schizophrenia.

I found that confronting the depth of stigma and misinformation surrounding schizophrenia to be deeply challenging. Sifting through dense research articles was tough, but even harder was digesting the emotional toll the disorder takes on individuals and their relationships. At times, the statistics and stories felt overwhelming. However, what came naturally was my passion for the topic. I never doubted my commitment to shedding light on this important issue.

What surprised me the most was how interconnected everything was. This project proved that addressing mental health is not just about discussing treatment, but also about promoting societal change.

This research is only the beginning. I’d love to explore interventions that improve relationship dynamics for individuals with schizophrenia, particularly focusing on romantic relationships, which are often overlooked. Expanding the study to include personal narratives and interviews with individuals and their families could provide richer, more human perspectives. Additionally, exploring cross-cultural differences in how schizophrenia is perceived and managed could highlight areas for global improvement in mental health care and societal support systems.

This experience has been incredibly personal for me. My stepfather’s struggle with schizophrenia was my first glimpse into how this disorder affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. Witnessing his journey, the challenges he faced in maintaining relationships, and the misconceptions he has endured gave me a unique perspective and a deep empathy for those living with mental illness.

Through this research, I’ve come to appreciate the resilience of individuals like my stepfather and their families. I’m walking away with a renewed sense of purpose to advocate for mental health awareness and a commitment to fostering understanding in both my personal and professional life as I continue my journey in psychology.

The Realities of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Kelliann D’Ambrosio, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in English Literature and Writing, and minor in Italian

My capstone was broken into two parts. One of these parts was a collection of poems centered around my experience with OCD, dissociation, and anxiety. This includes, but is not limited to, my day-to-day struggles with intrusive thoughts and verbal tics. My research portion was centered around the argument that there needs to be a shift in the way OCD is viewed within society and within the way it is treated, as there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what OCD actually entails.

In order to support this, I looked for research on different treatments, the symptoms associated with OCD, the likelihood of those with OCD to develop a different mental illness, and the experiences of family members for individuals who have OCD.

I identified these areas for my research and poetry because I suffer from OCD myself. I wanted to provide a creative exploration of my personal experience while also including a research component that explored experiences with OCD at large.

I expected this capstone to be difficult and, in that aspect,, I was correct. However, I was unaware how much I was going to learn from this capstone. When writing my poems, I had this idea in mind that I knew exactly what I was going to write and how I was going to write it. Instead, I ended up surprising myself by expressing my experiences with mental illness in ways I had never considered before, whether that be through my language or through the forms I employed.

Regarding my research component, I was surprised that I was truly able to learn about OCD outside the confines of my own experiences. For instance, I was able to find research that supports the effectiveness of family-inclusive therapy. I was also able to learn that those who have OCD can be highly likely to also develop some other type of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety.

If I were to further to expand on this topic within my poetry, I would like to become more experimental and allow myself to further explore forms that I have not worked with before. To further expand on my research component, I would be interested in exploring different methods of OCD treatment. Overall, this research experience has left me with a sounder confidence in my abilities as a poet as well as a desire to explore OCD from a more research-based perspective.

Researching the Advancements of Women in the Workplace from the Early 2000’s – 2024

Allura Surat, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in History and minor in Psychology

When thinking about my capstone, I looked back at two different papers I had written in classes I enjoyed which lead me to my research topic. The first paper was about the gender pay gap in the sports industry and the second paper was with an interview with my mother, and dealt with the impacts of being a nurse during COVID-19.

My mother is my motivation. When thinking about working and what I want to do with my life I always look back at what she had to go through to get to the position she is in now. This heavily influenced my research as I wanted to find out more about not only women in the workplace but nursing specifically.

When I first started my capstone, I was nervous about everything that I was going to have to get done and it felt overwhelming at first. I did not have an idea where I really wanted to start and all of the aspects that I wanted to include. I felt like I had so much information that was not specific enough so I needed to figure out a way in which I could narrow my research but still make it relevant to the broadness of the topic.

Working throughout the process I understood the importance of time management, and I became proud of the work I was doing. All of the hard work I put in was worth it in the end when everything came together.  

I was quite surprised about some new information I was researching, especially in Staten Island since I grew up here. There is so much nursing history in Staten Island that I never really paid too much attention to until I had started doing this research.

I would really like to explore this topic more in the future by not only focusing on Staten Island but other areas or maybe even countries. I could also focus on hospitals in Staten Island and see how things are currently, since there have been new units added, different nursing staff, and improvements on technology.

I was able to obtain a lot of new and useful information when doing this research. It was really an eye opener to see the ways that nursing and women in the work field have made improvements despite there still being many challenges to this day. I was able to look at a profession other than my own and see how others may be impacted compared to myself. I recognized how hard nurses have always worked despite any conditions that they were put in to help their patients to the best of their ability. All in all, this research was an enjoyable learning experience.