'Synthesis of Pyrrole Nucleosides as Anti-cancer agents' Summer Chemistry Internship

So, I was having some trouble writing this short essay on an extracuriccular, but here is what I came up with.

Dr. Jacobs: Next up, Bryan Berger will present his work on the Synthesis of Pyrrole Nucleosides as Anti-cancer agents.

If you had asked me eight weeks earlier what a Pyrrole Nucleoside was, I wouldn't have had the slightest clue. As I strode toward the podium at which I was to present my research to an audience of Rider Professors and students, I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves. My heart throbbed through my chest during the start of the presentation, but I reassured myself with the unexpected ease in which I spoke. It was only a matter of time before I realized the silliness of my apprehension. I had no reason to be nervous; I knew exactly what I was talking about and exactly how I was going to talk about it. My uneasiness subsided and I walked down from that platform with absolutely no regrets.

After performing intensive research as an intern in an undergraduate lab, I can not only answer that question at length, but I can also confidently present it to the scientific community.

Also, I'm 7 characters over, so if there is any word or phrase you think I can get rid of let me know. Thanks!

In your story you seem to have academic work. Am I missing something?

If you want to take out some characters, here's my suggestion --
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.