How a Vaping Research Project Sparked a Lifelong Passion

Livia Cohen was a sophomore studying Forensic Science deciding between the chemistry and biology track at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island when her advisor, Dr. Karla-Sue Marriott suggested she get involved in on-campus research. She knew she needed to acquire lab experience but was intimidated by the prospect until she stumbled upon a Dr. Clifford B. Murphy’s lab (Professor of Chemistry), where he was working on a series of studies about thiocyanate, an ion made of a cyanide compound with an additional sulfur group added.

Dr. Murphy's research involved using an electrode the school had patented to detect thiocyanate in salt water, which was used to help detect cyanide fishing. It had previously been shown in other studies that there was a correlation between thiocyanate levels and using cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products. This project worked towards using thiocyanate levels as an indication for higher risk oral or gastric cancers, as they are typically at increased levels in this state, even without introducing a person to tobacco products. "The reason we developed the device was for dentists to be able to determine in the office if someone was at high risk oral or gastric cancer in a less invasive way," Livia explained. "But as commonly occurs in science, the research started one way and developed into something else."

During their studies, Livia and the other undergraduate research students became interested in understanding the correlation and testing whether vaping produces the same results as cigarettes. When a tobacco leaf burns, it produces cyanide, which is why cigarettes are known to release this chemical. E-cigarettes, however, do not contain and burn tobacco in the same way nor is there cyanide present, so theoretically, no thiocyanide should be ingested when vaping. However, thiocyanate is still a byproduct of vaping, which leaves researchers to wonder where it comes from.

So, the group tested several popular vaping products by collecting the vapor and analyzing the thiocyanate concentrations. Though the findings were preliminary because of time constraints, the results showed that thiocyanate concentrations were present both before and after the vape solutions were vaporized, as they would be inhaled by a person using a vape. "From this, we can theorize that thiocyanate starts in the vape itself and is introduced into our bodies," Livia explained.

"I don't exist in a bubble; I am aware of everything around me, so I think a lot about not just how vapes are bad for the lungs, but they are also bad for the environment because they burn so quickly and then get thrown out. The cartridges are plastic, which causes a lot of waste."

Sparking a Love for STEM

Sharing Some Good Advice

Before her research experience, Livia admits she had doubts about working in STEM. "I just didn't feel smart enough, and I was nervous to mess up. I think this is a common concern for young people," she said. "But if this experience has taught me anything, it is that messing up is okay, as long as you learn from it so that you can improve." Now, she is the first person to encourage anyone to give science a try.   

In addition, her time working with e-cigarettes in the lab has opened a whole new topic of interest for her. Not only does she better understand the dangers of vaping, she learned about the dangerous chemical makeup of the product and has become an anti-vaping advocate. "People would ask me when I presented my thesis, which is worse, vaping or smoking cigarettes? And I would say neither; you are picking your poison when you decide to smoke either product. Both are full of chemicals like cyanide. And for e-cigarettes, we still don't know all the long-term effects."