From New Jersey to Japan and Back: Stevens Accelerated Master’s Chemical Biology Student Journeys Into the World of Research

Adam Leszczynski '25 emphasizes the importance of collaboration, global perspectives and clear communication in chemical biology research

2024 has been a milestone year for Adam Leszczynski '25, a graduate chemical biology student in the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Over two months, Leszczynski studied genetic modifications in zebrafish and medaka, or Japanese rice fish, at the National Institute of Basic Biology (NIBB) in Japan. The project explored temperature differences at the cellular level and aimed to develop new genetic modification systems.

Back home in New Jersey, he presented his research on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at the Stevens Innovation Expo and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Research Day 2024. He also earned second place for his PFOS research at the 17th Undergraduate Research Symposium at William Paterson University.

Leszczynski's journey into chemical biology research seemed almost destined from childhood, sparked by a deep fascination with nature and biology.

"When I was younger, I loved going to the zoo and aquariums, and I was always watching nature documentaries on channels like National Geographic and Discovery. We always had pet fish or some kind of pet in the house," said Leszczynski.

By middle and high school, biology and chemistry were his favorite subjects. "In choosing my major, I wanted to combine what I was passionate about and what I excelled in. That's why I decided to pursue chemical biology, which I really enjoy."

Leszczynski selected Stevens for its close-knit community and location near New York City. He also appreciates the school's practical approach to education and its professors' real-world experience.

Chemical Biology Accelerated Masters Program (AMP) student Adam Leszczynski '25 found some free time during his two months of research in Japan.

The importance of international collaboration in research

During his time at NIBB in Japan, he was introduced to advanced techniques involving infrared lasers to activate fluorescent proteins. Beyond the research, his experience showed how local species and resources can inspire innovative scientific solutions.

As a trumpet player in the Stevens Concert Band, Leszczynski appreciates the parallels between music and scientific research.

"One thing I learned in Japan is that science, like math and music, is a universal language. The basics, like the scientific method-observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and writing up your findings-are the same," Leszczynski said.

The difference, he explained, is in how cultures approach problems. "In Japan, they were using rice fish, native to Eastern Asia, as a model organism. That's something we might not use in the U.S., but it brings new perspectives and insights to research. It's all about finding ways to improve science by applying ideas from different parts of the world."

Communicating research effectively so that everyone can understand

At Stevens, one of the research projects Leszczynski worked on studied the effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on nematodes as model organisms. Elements of this research took place in collaboration with the work of Dibs Sarkar, professor and director of the Stevens Center for Sustainability. Dr. Sarkar's research involves finding remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are known as "forever chemicals" for their persistence in the environment.

Today, under the AMP program, Lesczynski's research continues to thrive under the mentorship of advisors such as Patricia Anne Muisener, teaching professor and associate chair for Undergraduate Studies, and Kenny Wong, teaching associate professor and associate chair for graduate studies, both in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

This continuity has provided Leszczynski with the structure needed to further refine his research skills, which includes communicating his work to those without scientific backgrounds.

Adam Leszcynski '25 at the 2024 Innovation Expo at Stevens.

"Important to my preparation was the work I did in the lab-investigating the question, running experiments, collecting and processing data, day in and day out. That laid the groundwork for getting all the figures ready for the poster," said Leszczynski.

However, he realized that even after working on a project for a year, it can still be difficult to communicate research to someone unfamiliar with it.

"You're so immersed in the research, you've read countless papers, and you're so familiar with everything that you forget that others might not have the same background," he said.

So Leszczynski took a step back, looked at the big picture and condensed the research down to the most important information for his abstract and poster.

"I practiced with my parents, my brother and peers at Stevens to make sure I could explain my work not just to judges, who were scientists themselves, but also to family members of other contestants who might not know what 'forever chemicals' are or have never been in a lab," he said.

"I learned not only about the research itself but also how to simplify and communicate the key points-explaining not just what I did, but why it mattered," he said, noting that the process gave him a better understanding of his own research. "It made me think deeply about why forever chemicals are such an important issue. Even if someone isn't interested in chemistry or biology, this is a topic that they should understand, because it's relevant to everyone."

Leszczynski thinks he'll continue his research after completing Stevens' AMP program, most likely pursuing a Ph.D. to deepen his involvement in scientific inquiry at the highest levels. He is also considering industry work and the possibility of a gap year, but his ultimate aim is to contribute to advancements that could impact both the field and society.