Summer research at Salve advances work in biomedical science and biodiversity

Salve was a hub of scientific discovery this summer as students and faculty engaged in research projects across campus. From investigating Medulloblastoma cancer through single-cell RNA sequencing and computational analysis, to using data science to model neuron behavior in relation to Parkinson’s disease, to exploring local marine biology on Aquidneck Island, these diverse projects showcased the University’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Supported by an IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant, two research teams also had the opportunity to present their findings alongside other scholars at the University of Rhode Island.

Making a difference in brain cancer research

Led by Dr. Jillian Wise, assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, one summer project focused on pediatric brain cancer, specifically Medulloblastoma. The research team utilized a cutting-edge technique called single-cell RNA sequencing to understand chemotherapy resistance and cancer relapse. This technology allows them to analyze the RNA present in each cell – offering a granular view of the genetic changes that drive cancer recurrence.

“With research moving towards mass data accumulation, AI and machine learning, teaching these skills early is necessary with science moving forward and a key component of setting up these students to really change lives,” Wise said.

The research was partially funded by a $100,000 grant from IronMatt, a foundation started by parents who lost their child to brain cancer, and through Rhode Island’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). The funding has allowed students to gain hands-on experience in computational biology and data analysis.

“This research is so unique,” said Kenia Viri ’27, a biochemistry major and student researcher for the project. “I was prepared to be pipetting and working in a wet lab for the summer, and I was instead learning how to code and read DNA sequences. It taught me a lot about the importance of persistence, as errors are common in computational biology – I am so proud of myself and the work I was able to do here.”

Sofia Neary ’26 (left) and Kenia Viri ’27 review their presentation.

The goal is to create a computational program that can predict cancer relapse and identify biomarkers from blood samples, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures like brain surgeries.

“I chose to do research instead of working a regular summer job to help solidify what I want to do within the medical field, but it also stemmed from a passion to help others,” said Sofia Neary ’26, a biology major and student researcher for the project. “The cases we worked on were so interesting and they inspired me to learn and adapt over a short amount of time to hopefully be able to make a difference.”

Marine biology across Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island, with its unique coastline and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, offers an ideal setting for marine biology research. Surrounded by diverse ecosystems – like salt marshes, estuaries and rocky shorelines – the island provides a rich array of habitats and species for study. Its accessibility to both shallow coastal waters and deeper offshore areas makes it a key location for a wide range of marine biological research, from studying local bird populations to investigating complex marine ecosystems.

While Salve offers year-round opportunities for hands-on experience in marine biology, this summer allowed Maeve Newton ’25, a cultural and historic preservation major, to focus on data collection of Narragansett Bay’s rich biodiversity.

Maeve Newton ’25 bird banding.

Guided by Dr. Jameson Chace, professor and chair in the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies, Newton took on various research tasks around Aquidneck Island. She surveyed bird populations on Rose Island, observed changes in marine life through fish seining and shoreline surveys and collected data on the declining lobster population by regularly checking traps around the bay.

“It helps to tell the story of the biodiversity on Aquidneck and Rose Island, and can become a resource for other marine biologists when we add it to Salve’s Digital Commons,” Newton said. “It’s really cool to be a part of something that lots of people touch in different ways, but also has this greater importance in that it’s telling us a lot about climate change and very real-world problems that people are trying to solve today.”

Part of Chace’s five-year bird banding program on Rose Island, the research highlights a decline in certain gull species, such as the greater black-backed and herring gulls. Despite fewer bird species on Rose Island due to reduced habitat, there is a higher density of the remaining species, with young birds thriving and returning after migration. This data suggests that Rose Island, with its protected status and lack of predators, could serve as a model for enhancing conservation efforts on other islands in the bay, indicating a promising future as a refuge for songbirds and gulls.

“At Salve, I am getting to know deeply the place that I live,” Newton said. “I get to appreciate what’s here and what other ecosystems and life I share this space with, and it is the most meaningful thing that I could be a part of.”

Understanding neurological disorders

Salve students were also hard at work using mathematical modeling to enhance the understanding of Parkinson’s disease. This research, led by Dr. Edward Dougherty, associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, forked into two concentrations – each headed by an undergraduate student.

Toni McCoy ’26 with her poster board at the University of Rhode Island’s annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.

One project involved creating computational models to optimize electrical stimulation therapy for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. By simulating how electrical currents flow through different brain regions, chemistry major Morgan Peritz ’26 developed methods to tailor treatments to individual patients, improving therapeutic outcomes.

Toni McCoy ’26, a mathematics major, explored mathematical equations and machine learning to model biological processes of brain cells, potentially accelerating the development of new treatments. “There are multiple treatment options for Parkinson’s disease, but why these treatments work is unknown,” McCoy said. “We can use mathematical and computational modeling to understand disease progression and treatment at an intracellular level.”

This research not only advanced scientific knowledge, but also empowered Peritz and McCoy with valuable skills.

“It was amazing to have this hands-on experience outside of a classroom setting. I wasn’t just learning to code using hypothetical data – the work I was able to do this summer had real-world applications and exposed me to research I could be doing professionally,” McCoy said.

Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

In July, the students who participated in research funded by the INBRE grant presented their work at the University of Rhode Island’s annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, which allowed them to share their findings and explore the research conducted by fellow grant recipients – creating a collaborate network of university researchers.

“When I finished presenting, a professor from a different university came up to me and shared that he studies cardiology and wondered if he would be able to use our equations to emulate what is happening in the heart and apply it to his research,” McCoy said. “It’s so cool to think that what I did in the summer, other people can apply to their research, regardless of their field.”

The opportunity also allowed students to gain critical skills in public speaking while doubling as a full-circle moment for students to relish in their dedicated efforts to advance biomedical research.

“When I see the growth that took place over the summer, I get emotional,” Dougherty said. “To see them have the confidence to present their research comprehensively and accurately explain the project, answer questions and to just be proud of their work was an amazing experience.”

A holistic education

These summer research projects reflect the University’s commitment to ethical standards and social responsibility – integral to Salve’s mercy mission. Students not only advanced within their fields but engaged in new disciplines – demonstrating their commitment to a holistic education.

“Research is for everyone,” Newton said. “I’m a CHP major and I love architecture, art and anthropology – and that’s the very thing about liberal arts, is that I have the ability to learn the sciences, and I don’t have to just be a humanities learner because that is my major. At Salve, I am encouraged and supported to explore all disciplines. It’s an amazing learning environment to be in.”

Maeve Newton ’25 (right) brings Kenia Viri ’27 out on the water to check lobster traps.