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.

Preparation and Characterization of Multi-Responsive Microgels for Controlled Drug Release

Hadi Abbas, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biochemistry and minor in Chemistry

For my capstone project, I investigated the preparation and characterization of multi-responsive microgels designed for controlled drug release. The main objective was to create a biocompatible, intelligent drug delivery system that could respond to environmental stimuli—specifically temperature and pH changes—to release therapeutics precisely at diseased sites while minimizing off-target effects.

Using oligo (ethylene glycol)-based polymers, I synthesized microgels crosslinked with dynamic boronate ester bonds. These microgels shrank in response to increased temperature and swelled in acidic environments, which simulated conditions like inflammation or tumors. The results demonstrated that drug release could be finely tuned by adjusting environmental conditions and crosslinker density, confirming the potential of these systems for targeted therapeutic delivery across a broad range of diseases.

I initially identified this research area by reading literature about smart biomaterials and their applications in personalized medicine. My primary motivation came from a desire to bridge materials science with healthcare innovation. Having seen firsthand, through volunteering in hospitals, how systemic side effects from cancer treatments affect patients, I became interested in how drug delivery could be made safer and more localized.

At the start, I expected the capstone to mostly involve straightforward lab work: synthesizing polymers, testing drug release, and gathering data. In reality, it was much more iterative and creative. Designing the polymer system required frequent adjustments, from tweaking monomer ratios to troubleshooting purification methods. It wasn't just about following a recipe — it was about understanding the behavior of materials and learning to adapt.

One major challenge was mastering the synthesis conditions. Small variations in temperature, stirring rates, or initiator concentrations drastically affected the size and uniformity of the microgels. Another challenge was learning to interpret dynamic light scattering data; the patterns were sometimes noisy and required careful calibration. On the easier side, preparing buffer solutions and conducting fluorescence measurements for drug loading were relatively straightforward tasks, as these were familiar techniques from previous coursework. A surprising aspect was how sensitive the microgels were to minor pH changes; even slight variations outside of expected ranges caused significant differences in swelling and drug release, underscoring how critical precise control is for real-world applications.

If I were to continue this research, I would explore integrating a third stimulus-responsiveness, such as redox-sensitivity, to make the system even more specific to cellular micro-environments. Redox-responsive bonds could trigger drug release inside cells that have high glutathione concentrations, such as tumor cells, adding another layer of precision. I would also test the microgels in more biologically relevant conditions, like serum-containing media, to understand how proteins might affect their behavior.

What I am taking away from this experience is the realization that research is both meticulous and imaginative. Success doesn't come just from technical skill—it comes from asking the right questions, designing clever experiments, and embracing setbacks as opportunities to learn. Working independently also built my confidence in experimental design and critical analysis. Finally, I developed a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary research, as this project combined polymer chemistry, biomedical engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences. These lessons will stay with me as I pursue future opportunities in biomedical innovation.

Biochemistry Major Learns Life Lessons Through Research

Anila Fecanji, Verrazzano Class of 2022, completed major in Biochemistry 

My research experience helped me grow professionally and personally in ways that were not possible through traditional lectures and laboratory courses. I am confident that the skills I have learned will be helpful in the long run. I feel more confident in problem-solving and dealing with issues encountered along the way.

Presenting my research at the Undergraduate Research Conference improved my communication skills. I learned to be more comfortable in front of an audience, and answering questions after presenting made these skills even stronger.

Being around motivated students, and exceptionally educated faculty was very motivational. I went to the lab every day and learned to manage the demands of it while also succeeding in my classes. I performed experiments every day to obtain significant results, but there were days when so many things could go wrong, and it was frustrating to see the hard work be unsuccessful. With these hurdles came hidden strengths I discovered about myself. I never thought I would be able to have the will to repeat experiments over and over and to have so much patience. I used to think that new findings were always exciting. I believe that was the force that kept me going.

One other thing that I found about myself was that I was able to adapt to difficult situations, which made me even more motivated to succeed. This experience also taught me how to delve deeper into the subject of interest which I believe made me a critical thinker and unafraid to get help.

I am very thankful I was part of the Verrazzano program and able to complete my capstone project. I thought I had been victorious before in persevering through a challenging time, but this was a new milestone for me. If I had the strength to survive this challenge, then I knew I could achieve anything I put my mind to.

This was taken at the Advanced Imaging Facility at CSI where I stayed for hours trying to acquire images using Leica SP2 AOBS Confocal Microscope