Sun Lab
%20Sun_Profile%20photo.jpg)
Simou (Summer) Sun
Assistant Professor
629 Chemistry, Stony Brook University
e-mail: simou.sun@stonybrook.edu
Summer earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Shandong University in China and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University. For her doctoral research, she investigated phospholipid-mediated signaling using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy under the guidance of Professor Paul S. Cremer. Following this, Summer worked as a postdoctoral scholar with Professor Jay T. Groves at the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied protein condensation phase transitions in the T cell receptor signaling pathway. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved to Singapore and joined the Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS) at Nanyang Technological University as a research fellow. There, she developed a method to quantitatively categorize and characterize extracellular vesicles at the single-particle level in collaboration with Professor Jay T. Groves and Professor Guillermo C. Bazan. Additionally, working with Professor Atul N. Parikh, she explored DNA-templated gold nanoparticle assemblies in an aqueous two-phase system. In the fall of 2024, Summer will begin her independent research career at Stony Brook University.
In her free time, Summer enjoys water sports, reading, painting, playing guitar, and (talking about) her scuba diving trips.
.jpg)
Sayani Bhunia
Sayani is a first-year Ph.D. student in chemistry at Stony Brook University. She earned her M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India, in 2022, specializing in Physical Chemistry. Her master's research focused on investigating the impact of graphene oxide, acetylenic gemini, and CTAT on the photophysical and aggregation properties of dipolar coumarin-153.
She loves exploring how thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum mechanics can be used to explain chemical phenomena. Recently, she has been developing a strong interest in biophysical chemistry, where she applies these principles to study and mimic biological processes using optical microscopy. Her current research focuses on exploring molecular processes that emerge when bio membranes interface with biopolymers. Additionally, she investigates how extracellular vesicles (EVs) interact with biomimetic systems. These investigations bridge the fields of biomolecular organization, cellular communication, and disease mechanisms, contributing to our understanding of complex biological systems.
Beyond research, Sayani enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, trying out new recipes, and relaxing with a good book. Recently, she has developed a passion for bio-illustrations, finding joy in visualizing complex biochemical processes through scientific art.
Carrie Wang
My name is Carrie and I am currently a junior double majoring in Business and Biology. In my free time, I enjoy singing, working out, and reading.
Jacky Lin
Jacky is a first-year graduate student in chemistry. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from the University at Buffalo in 2024. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research on enzyme inhibitor synthesis and design, contributing to the development of novel bioactive compounds. His current research focuses on characterizing the molecular features and dynamic behavior of extracellular particles using single-particle imaging techniques. Through his work, he aims to advance the understanding of cancer biology and improve early detection strategies. In his free time, he enjoys playing Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero and watching anime. He also has a strong interest in scientific visualization and frequently uses software such as ChemDraw and BioRender to illustrate molecular structures and biochemical pathways.
Keyvon Maybody
Keyvon is a senior majoring in chemistry. His favorite part of chemistry is probing reaction mechanisms, whether they are biological, organic, or inorganic. The opposite of a crystallographer, he is always happy when atoms move around. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and discussing books with friends.