Called proteomics, the science can help researchers understand how proteins work within cells and develop new treatments for disease.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, March 24, 2025—Centenary University has received a $4,500 grant from Pfizer to introduce a new course on proteomics, the study of cellular proteins and their role in the development of organisms. Awarded through the Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey, the PURE (Pfizer Undergraduate Research Endeavors) grant requires the University to contribute matching funding to incorporate proteomics concepts and applications within a General Biology II Laboratory course. Through the grant funding, Centenary students will use modern technologies to purify and separate fish proteins by molecular size to compare the similarities and differences between species.

Assistant Professor of Biology Yeon Lang Cha, Ph.D., explained that the study of proteomics is particularly important because there have been many advances in technology to analyze complex protein structures: “A central focus of this course is the development of scientific inquiry skills to equip students with advanced laboratory competencies, while fostering a deep understanding of biological processes at the genetic level. The goal of scientists who study proteomics is to understand the structures and functions of proteins. This information can help researchers identify organisms and study evolutionary history. The technology can also be used in development of new treatments for disease and to understand how cells maintain and modify proteins.”

“This grant from Pfizer ensures that Centenary University graduates are well prepared to meet the demands of modern scientific research, fostering the next generation of innovators in biotechnology, molecular biology, and healthcare, here in New Jersey and across the nation,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert Battistini, Ph.D. “Through this grant, Centenary students will engage in collaborative projects and open-ended investigations, develop technical skills, and experience the rigors of working within a research team to contribute to a growing body of scientific knowledge.”

Centenary’s proteomics program will be directed by Dr. Cha, an accomplished medical science and pharmaceuticals researcher. Dr. Cha has earned accolades for her work, including the Chew Sek Jin Award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Young Investigator Award from the Singapore National Eye Research Meeting, and a Welcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship, which allowed her to advance genetic eye research at Imperial College London. A graduate of Ewha Women’s University in South Korea, Dr. Cha earned a Master of Science in Immunology and Allergy from the University of Nottingham, UK, and a Doctor of Medicine and Ophthalmology from the National University of Singapore.

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Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.