Research Advocates
Get advice from students who have been there
Interested in research but not sure how to get started? Research Advocates are UB students with firsthand experience in research and creative activities across a range of fields. They can answer your questions, share their experiences and help you explore opportunities that match your interests.
Browse their stories and reach out to an advocate to start the conversation.
Rani Patel
Majors: Mathematics and Computational Physics
Research Area: Computational neuroscience
Email: rdpatel5@buffalo.edu
"Anyone can do research, no matter their skill or technical level. A great way to start is to talk with professors whose classes you like and ask about their research."
River North
Major: Anthropology
Research Area: Seascape archaeology and connectivity in the early medieval period
Email: riverryn@buffalo.edu
“Something to keep in mind is that even if you doubt yourself, undergraduate research is just as much about learning the methods as it is about finding the answers. I applied for and secured this opportunity and sometimes still feel like an impostor, but every day I learn a little more. Faculty mentors don’t expect perfection — they expect you to be learning and making mistakes.”
Major: Bioinformatics
Minor: Statistics
Research Area: Human evolutionary genomics
Email: carsynbo@buffalo.edu
“Research is really personal to me. I am strongly motivated by my brother, who has a rare genetic disorder. I am determined to advance the field of genetics and hopefully develop technology for treating patients with genetic disorders like his. I deeply value the creative and problem-solving aspects of research.”
Lily Plympton
Major: Biological Sciences
Research Area: Plant genetics and stream ecology
Email: laplympt@buffalo.edu
“UB stands out because of its unparalleled accessibility to exceptional research opportunities. Participating in research as an undergraduate is an invaluable experience that I believe everyone should try to do. I've learned to effectively work around problems, communicate with peers and mentors, and prepare myself for graduate school, and beyond.”
Samantha Sorensen
Major: Biological Sciences
Research Area: Oral microbiology and immunology
Email: slsorens@buffalo.edu
“Research should be more than just a resume builder – it should be meaningful and engaging. Realizing this encouraged me to find a lab that truly fit my interests and goals. As a research advocate, I want to help other students find opportunities that genuinely excite them. I hope to support students in finding labs where they feel motivated to contribute and grow, rather than simply participating to check a box.”
Christopher Page
Majors: Biological Sciences and Linguistics
Research Area: Evolution of carnivorous plants and mints
Email: cdpage@buffalo.edu
“Research is one of the few remaining fields where one can simultaneously get the feeling of discovery/exploration and direct synthesis. The critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that I've gained have been immensely valuable. So, to me, doing research is creating, learning, and developing yourself all at the same time.”
Matthew Esposito
Major: Biological Sciences
Research Area: Diabetic retinopathy
Email: esposit6@buffalo.edu
“Research is an outlet to critically think, and to apply the knowledge that I have used in a classroom setting. It is extremely rewarding to apply that knowledge and to build upon skills like troubleshooting and journal reviews to become a better learner.”
Major: Biological Sciences
Research Area: Pediatric nephrology
Email: ajbargne@buffalo.edu
“To me, clinical research has meant advancing the field of medicine to provide the most up-to-date and accurate care to people during some of the hardest times of their lives. Getting involved in clinical research allowed me to see the real impact it can have on patient care, and it is something I have found a new passion for.”
Noam Ernan
Major: Biological Sciences
Research Area: Oral biology with a focus on periodontitisz
Email: noamerna@buffalo.edu
“For me, research means exploring and testing new ideas and answering questions that you have developed. Research and creative work have also helped me discover the work I love most: hands-on bench work that allows me to see the results forming right before my eyes.”
Major: Chemistry
Research Area: Surface chemistry and spectroscopy
Email: jjclark4@buffalo.edu
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be at the forefront of discovery and part of a community that pushes the boundaries of what humanity can achieve. Research gives me a way to contribute to that effort, even as an undergraduate. To me, that means everything.”
Gabe Dietzman
Majors: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Email: grdietzm@buffalo.edu
“Research helps me remember why I chose to pursue chemistry. It excites me knowing that I am helping to make new discoveries alongside a team of scientists.”
Saana Mankotia
Major: Marketing and HR
Research Area: Media and Morality Lab
Email: saanaman@buffalo.edu
“I have been a research advocate for the past year and have loved the experience!”
Marissa Taylor
Major: Political Science and Communication
Research Area: Communicative and cognitive dynamics in NYS Corrections
Email: mt94@buffalo.edu
“Considering how transformative this process has been for me, I strongly believe every student should engage in research during their time at UB.”
Isabella Alicea
Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences
Research Area: Motor Speech Disorders and communication in neurodegenerative populations.
Email: iswiand@buffalo.edu
“I want to help other undergraduates get involved in research. My TA encouraged me to join his lab, where I’ve made valuable connections and gained mentoring experiences I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Every contribution counts — even the smallest can be the start of something that changes lives.”
S’koi Sanders
Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences
Research Area: Speech physiology lab
Email: skoisand@buffalo.edu
“Research is all about exploring a new topic, gaining new skills, analyzing, and making connections with other like-minded individuals who share the same goal. And you don’t need to have prior experience in order to get involved.”
Suhayma Suha
Major: Economics and Mathematics
Research Area: Economic development, particularly in South Asia; relationship between AI exposure and life satisfaction
Email: suhaymas@buffalo.edu
“I love sharing what I learn, discussing ways to improve my research and talking about work I’m passionate about—work that I believe can have a positive impact on the world.”
Janeeta Ashimi
Major: Economics
Research Area: Public Economics and Policy Analysis
Email: janeetaa@buffalo.edu
“For me, research is not only about answering questions but also about refining how questions are framed, testing assumptions, and learning how to interpret incomplete or complex information.”
Natalia Calabrese
Major: Linguistics
Research Area: Bantu Phonetics for Automatic Speech Recognition models
Email: calabre3@buffalo.edu
“To me, research is about satisfying your curiosity while contributing something new to your field. There are no limits. As long as you’re genuinely interested in learning, you’ll find the research path that’s right for you.”
Daniel Nyamollo
Major: Mathematics
Research Area: Data Science in Social Sciences
Email: danielny@buffalo.edu
“Research has transformed me professionally by unlocking new connections and opportunities for me. It has also helped me grow as a person and guide me on what I want to do with my life after undergrad.”
Kendric Warrick
Major: Music Theatre and Dance
Research Area: Theatrical Performance and Empathy: Exploring Narrative Transportation as a Mechanism for Social Understanding
Email: kendricw@buffalo.edu
“Giving a voice to research in the arts is vital and I hope to influence change with my creative work and research.”
Rachel Mavrovich
Major: Philosophy and Cognitive Science
Research Area: Ontology and philosophy of mind applied to crime
Email: rmavrovi@buffalo.edu
“To me, research means exploration. It allows me to not only learn but engage with my curiosity and the world around me.”
Owen Penhollow
Major: Economics and PPE
Research Area: Residential segregation, identity polarization, and affordable housing
Email: owenpenh@buffalo.edu
“The best learning is done by doing things that are hard. Research is hard, which forces growth in a meaningful, productive direction.”
Na’Dia Carter
Major: Political Science
Research Area: Historical Comparison of the Buffalo City Charter of 1999 and 2026
Email: nrcarter@buffalo.edu
“As a political science major interested in public service, research has shown me another way to make a difference in my community. My work on the Buffalo City Charter has highlighted gaps in transparency and public engagement and given me opportunities to work with city officials on ways to address them.”
Marissa Taylor
Major: Political Science and Communication
Research Area: Impact of Tiktok algorithms on political polarization in the United States.
Email: mt94@buffalo.edu
“Considering how transformative this process has been for me, I strongly believe every student should engage in research during their time at UB.”
Ryan Saab
Major: Applied Math and Neuroscience
Research Area: Genetic predisposition to addiction in rodents
Email: ryansaab@buffalo.edu
“Research is the opportunity to contribute to something real and hands-on, with people who are among the most driven at this institution. It also inspired me to think critically and taken initiative in my own education.”
Susan Boczar
Major: Psychology
Research Area: Adolescent social development and peer relationships
Email: susanboc@buffalo.edu
“I believe there is great value in researching topics that are interesting and of value to me. Through my work in a research lab and in various classes, I understand that learning involves more than memorizing information. It also means developing new perspectives, interpretations and ideas.”
Jillian Ash
Major: Psychology
Research Area: Social comparison and risk perception
Email: jash@buffalo.edu
“Participating in research at UB showed me I can contribute to new discoveries that educate students for years to come. Studying social psychophysiology deepened my understanding of the mind-body connection—knowledge that will directly guide my future career.”
“Conducting research and creative work lets me personalize my degree. As a choreographer, creating original work allows me to utilize coursework lessons to convey my unique voice and message.”
Your research journey doesn't stop here. Explore undergraduate research opportunities through the College of Arts and Sciences, where you can find ways to get involved, build your skills and share your discoveries.