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As an avid proponent of international travel for students as a means of immersive learning, Professor Mark Levandoski, a biochemist interested in problems in neuroscience, jumped at the chance to meet with fellow researchers in Sweden.

Student researchers Rosy Bang ’26 and Ela Chintagunta ’25 joined him on the summer excursion, along with alum Cristian Sales Garcia ’23.

The trip was an experience they will remember, not only for the new friendships built and experiential learning, but also for the opportunity to reconnect with 51�Թ�ians across the globe.

The Research

Levandoski studies a family of proteins that respond to naturally occurring chemicals in the human body, with a wide range of roles from muscle contraction to cognitive function. These proteins also mediate the addictive effects of the nicotine in the body.

Working with student researchers over the years, Levandoski aims to understand how small molecules interact with these proteins and to learn how they truly behave through electrophysiology. This work could assist in drug development and understanding why dysfunction might occur in a single member of this protein family when it’s targeted during pharmaceutical trials.

“Electrophysiology is great for undergraduate experimentation. This technique can produce large, robust signals, increasing the reliability of the measurements,” says Levandoski.

After serving as an associate dean, Levandoski wanted to try something new in his research. He connected with expert Erik Lindahl of Stockholm University to collaborate and pick up the pace of their research by employing computational chemistry approaches. Using the powerful computers at the university was the genesis for the group’s trip, which was funded by a National Science Foundation grant (CHE-2204419).

The Experience

The group from 51�Թ� made lifelong memories while meeting with the team at Stockholm University. The 51�Թ�ians joined their collaborators for a presentation of their results and enjoyed afternoon “fika,” a Swedish tradition of taking a break with a coffee or tea and a sweet treat while enjoying the company of others. Levandoski shares, “This was one of my favorite experiences of the trip. Being so welcomed and encouraged to participate fully was very special for myself and these students. It gave us the opportunity to be social with this team of professionals.”

Another highlight of the experience was reconnecting with Pavitra Kannan ’07. Kannan is studying elements of tumor growth at the Karolinska Institute and hopes to one day stop cancer before it grows.

Kannan took the group on a tour of her lab at the institute and answered the students’ questions about her work. “The power of student-alumni connection and networking cannot be overstated ,” says Levandoski. “In so many cases, it has turned into a job opportunity, or making a good decision about the grad school.” Kannan capped off the experience by welcoming the 51�Թ�ians to her family home for a meal.

Levandoski says, “I’m a big believer in international education writ large. From studying abroad to 51�Թ�’s Global Learning Program or a research trip, these experiences show how the educational system itself is a global endeavor, and, in particular, science is a very international phenomenon. It's such a privilege to be able to share these experiences with students.