2025 PRISM Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher: Ashley Kaswer 

This year, Ms. Ashley Kaswer has been selected as PRISM’s Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher, recognizing her exceptional progress, commitment to research, and development as a scientist. 

Ashley joined John Jay in fall 2021, majoring in Forensic Science with a concentration in toxicology. She became an Undergraduate Researcher in spring 2023, working under Dr. Shu-Yuan Cheng. Their research investigates the molecular pharmacological mechanisms of two anti-cancer drugs, mitomycin C and its analog dicarbamoyl mitomycin C, using proteomic approaches to understand gene expression changes in cancer cells, leading to cell death, with tools like Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The project aims to understand how these drugs preferentially kill cancer cells and how their mechanisms differ (learn more about Ashley here). 

Dr. Cheng noted, “Her findings have significantly advanced our understanding of the anti-cancer mechanisms of mitomycins, showcasing a level of sophistication and innovation rarely seen at the undergraduate level.” She added, “I have watched Ashley evolve from a hesitant, eager-to-learn student into a confident, independent researcher who actively contributes new ideas and takes initiative in proposing research directions.”

Ashley has participated in internships at the FDA National Center for Toxicological Research in Arkansas and the NIH-funded Toxicology Mentoring and Skills Development Training Program (ToxMSDT) at UC Davis. Last summer, she joined John Jay’s inaugural CUNY Immersive Research Experience (CIRE) cohort, a group of nine scholars from top undergraduate research programs (PRISM, McNair, and OSRC). CIRE scholars spend over 600 hours per year in research activities, attend events introducing them to the latest science across CUNY, and represent John Jay in the CUNY-wide CRSP/CIRE Research Symposium. Ashley was accepted to Michigan State University (MSU) to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology. MSU’s prestigious program produces exceptional alumni who become established scientists in all fields within toxicology. Ashley aspires to “become a forensic toxicologist with the FBI and to serve as an expert witness in court. I’d love to further scientific communication for members of the jury and people attending court hearings. The idea of becoming Dr. Kaswer feels surreal, but after graduating from John Jay and getting into a Ph.D. program at MSU, that dream is now within reach.” 

The PRISM Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Selection Committee evaluates nominees based on their research mentors’ nomination letters and current research progress. Reaching a decision is never simple, as all nominees demonstrate outstanding research skills. Each mentor submits a nomination letter that is both impressive and heartfelt, highlighting the close working relationship between mentor and student.