Meditz Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Neuroscience Research

Elizabeth Stone, PhD, and her student research team Eleanor Feuster ’27, Kacey McGorry ’27, Mason Macuch ’28, and Katelyn Wiehe ’27 recently traveled to Georgetown University to meet with their collaborators in the He Lab, Department of Biology.

During the visit, the group presented their research, toured the laboratory, and observed the tadpoles that will soon be used to test the molecules they have synthesized at Fairfield.

At the heart of their work is the creation of pharmaceutically relevant peptides containing noncanonical amino acids—those beyond the 20 genetically encoded building blocks of proteins. These molecules are designed to temporarily bind a specific neuronal protein, the neuronal membrane proteasome (NMP), which plays a critical role in regulating protein breakdown within cells. By inhibiting NMPs in a controlled way, Stone and her students hope to better understand what happens in neurons during learning and how disruptions in these processes might contribute to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Under Stone’s guidance, the students have taken part in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing these molecules, gaining hands-on experience in reaction design, purification, and analysis. “It’s incredible to see them take ownership of their projects,” Stone says. “They’re learning to think like chemists while also appreciating the broader biological questions their work can address.”

A typical day in the lab begins with the team reviewing individual tasks and checking in on overlapping projects. Students often observe each other’s techniques before attempting their own experiments, learning not only technical skills but also how to troubleshoot and refine their work. “I’ve learned how important it is to observe others and take in knowledge from their mistakes,” Koziol explains. “It helps me improve my reactions and approach.”

The collaboration with Georgetown University has provided students with a glimpse into research at an R1-level institution and a chance to see the real-world applications of their work. The summer visit allowed them to present findings, meet collaborators in person, and better understand the biological systems their molecules are designed to probe. Stone sees this kind of interdisciplinary and cross-institutional experience as invaluable. “It gives students a perspective they can’t get from textbooks alone,” she says.

Beyond technical skills, Stone emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, and resilience. “Working with these students has been incredibly rewarding,” she says. “They’re always willing to try new things and work through the challenges that inevitably arise in research. And we have a lot of fun along the way—they support each other and enjoy the process, which makes all the difference.”

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