Seton Hall University Faculty-Student Duo Earns Spot in NSF I-Corps Project

Are you in the market for a mouthwash or lip balm that can treat bacterial infections from the inside out? Well after earning a spot in the National Science Foundation’s seven-week, immersive, entrepreneurial and experiential training program, Tinchun (Tina) Chu, Ph.D., and her student, James Primerano, spent their summer exploring the market potential for the green tea formulation that they have been investigating. Following their study on "High Throughput Screening of Novel Epigallocatechin-3-GALLATE (EC16)-Containing Formulations as Broad Spectrum Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Film," which explores the antibacterial properties of EC16, a compound found in green tea. The project was also awarded a STEM Undergraduate Research Award. The duo approached the NSF to see if their green tea formulation had the potential to become a commercial product.

 Throughout the seven-week program, Chu and James conducted around 20 interviews with those in the medical field such as a hemodialysis nurse, and cardiothoracic surgeons. Along with medical professionals, the pair also had the opportunity to meet with dental professionals such as orthodontists, periodontists and prosthodontists. The main focus of this study was centered around dental hygiene patients because they are most likely to suffer from gum diseases, which are mostly bacterial-related. During the interview process, James says “it was great to find out that the research being conducted at Seton Hall is very important. The big takeaway is to understand that antibiotics resistance is growing, and healthcare workers are running out of drugs”. With the progression of their study, Chu and James are actively working towards using their green tea formulation technology to fight against antibiotic resistance. Though the basis of this program is science-related, the program emphasized business-related related skills, pushed the pair to not only meet and talk to new people but to gain a better understanding of the health care industry and the necessity for laboratory work. At its core, the I-Corps project had them explore the need for their project’s findings and asses the trends of their industry of interest.

Seton Hall has a robust Department of Biological Sciences with a wide range of faculty researching in microbiology, virology, immunology, and other related areas like this biopharmaceutical project. The Department offers both master’s and doctoral degrees, and Seton Hall is excited to announce a new 3+2 B.S./ M.S. Program that will enable students to earn a BS in Biological Sciences and an M.S. in Molecular Bioscience in just five years. Students interested in STEM research should contact their Department Chairperson, and students interested in STEM graduate programs should contact Associate Dean Michael Dooney.

Categories: Science and Technology