Our Alumni

“My six years at UB were the most meaningful and wonderful time of my life. I grew up a lot, made a lot of progress and gained a wealth of knowledge and friends.”

Zichun Xiao, MS ’21

Neuroscience

Our alumni talk about their successful careers in research, industry and academia.

“The professors here are the best in their field.”
9/1/22
Abiola Adelaja, MD
Child and adolescent psychiatry ’12
“Buffalo is known as the ‘City of Good Neighbors,’ and it definitely lived up to its name. People here are genuinely friendly and helpful, which made the transition that much easier.”
4/23/21
Abraar Quraishi, MD
Pediatric critical care '17
The breadth and scope of our training is truly underrated, as evidenced by a terrific range of exposure across academic and private settings.
4/23/21
Adam Klein, MD
Urology ’18
“Dr. Sim’s lab sets the standards for a collaborative, resourceful and fun workplace. From day one in the lab, I witnessed his thorough support in all aspects.”
5/6/22
Ahmed Elhossiny, MS ’20
Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
“The department is a great place to be creative and innovative.”
4/23/21
Alex Morrison-Nozik, PhD '13
Postdoctoral associate
“I loved being part of a smaller program and getting to know my colleagues.”
4/23/21
Amanda Persaud
Pediatrics ’12
"I wanted a program that would challenge me intellectually but also support me personally.”
4/23/21
Aseel Abu-Dayya, MD
Pediatrics ’18
What really drew me into this program were the residents. I had a great experience during my interview because of the time and effort that each resident spent on discussing their program and allowing me to ask my questions.
4/23/21
Benjamin Luong, MD
Urology ’16
“Mentoring takes place at so many levels in psychiatry, and it’s very individualized to your interests.”
4/23/21
Beth Smith, MD ’00
Professor of psychiatry
“Working with research mentors is like having a coach on a sports team. Their job is to identify your potential and push you to the limits of your potential. ”
9/30/21
Brandon Ginley, PhD ’21
Computational cell biology, anatomy and pathology
“My time at the Jacobs School has given me the opportunity to learn new things, improve my skills and demonstrate that I’m capable of being a valuable member of a research team.”
5/6/22
Brianna Tylec, MS
Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
“I was able to land a postdoctoral research position at a premier academic institution largely because of networking with my PhD mentor and faculty in the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences.”
4/23/21
Chad Vezina, PhD ’03
Pharmacology
“Working in Dr. Kosman’s lab was a great experience. It brought my interests to an interdisciplinary field between metal biology and neurosciences.”
9/23/21
Changyi Ji, PhD ’16
Biochemistry
“The program has far exceeded my expectations.”
4/23/21
Christine E. Brown, DO
Pediatrics ’14
“Without the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and the biochemistry department, I wouldn’t have developed the ability to conduct, manage and disseminate experimental science.”
10/15/21
Christopher Stoj, PhD ’06
Associate professor
“UB has such a well-rounded department.”
10/15/21
Corie Ellison, BS ’08, PhD ’11
Toxicologist
“Dr. Lee and I talked about my project daily, and that was the key to pushing ideas forward.”
2/22/21
David Zisa, MD/PhD ’12
Biochemistry
“Buffalo is small enough to navigate easily yet large enough to see a wide and diverse array of pathology.”
6/8/21
Elizabeth Abram, MD ’11
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
What initially drew me here, and what continues to be evident on a daily basis, is the camaraderie and cohesiveness we have amongst the residents.
4/23/21
Eugene Ermolovich, MD
Urology ’21
"The Jacobs School was my first choice because it offers quality training for a more affordable cost than other institutions with a similar ranking."
4/23/21
Isidore Dinga Madou, MD ’12
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"UB has a reputation not only for the diversity of its student body, but for the camaraderie and enriching lifestyle created by students and faculty."
4/23/21
Jaclyn Morrison-Cole, MD ’11
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
“The culture here is that we all help each other ... The way they teach us here is that medicine is a team effort. It’s not a skill you can master alone.”
4/23/21
Jason Edwards, MD ’16
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"Once I completed my residency, I could not think of leaving the area after meeting so many wonderful physicians and families."
4/23/21
Jessica Donhauser, MD ’13
Pediatrics ’16
Clinical assistant professor of pediatrics
“The P.I.s in the department use every opportunity they have to help your career.”
10/15/21
Jingying Wang, PhD ’11
Postdoctoral researcher
"I could not pass up the value of a UB medical education."
4/23/21
John Ortolani, MD ’11
Assistant professor, colon & rectal surgery
“My love for genomic stability and DNA damage was born in Dr. Surtees’ lab. Working alongside her and other talented graduate students enabled me to find my niche and dig deeper into the research topic.”
5/6/22
Jumana Badar, MS ’18
Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
“It is amazing to see somebody go from not knowing how to hold a knife in the operating room to where they’re putting implants in — and they’re doing it well. It’s very fulfilling and it gives me purpose.”
4/23/21
K. Keely Boyle, MD
Orthopaedics ’19
Clinical assistant professor of orthopaedics
“It was really refreshing to see so many scientists who are so passionate about what they do.”
10/15/21
Kate Evely, BS/MS ‘13, PhD ‘17
Pharmacology and toxicology and neuroscience alumna
“Pharmacology allows me to do the research I love and develop medication to help the people I care for.”
7/20/21
Kerri Pryce, PhD '18
Postdoctoral research fellow
“When I graduated and was ready to begin my career, I had multiple job offers.”
4/23/21
Kevin Kransler, PhD ’08
Pharmacology and toxicology
"Dan helped me address the right techniques and come up with the right experiments."
10/15/21
Kevin Maharaj, PhD ‘12
Structural biology alumni
“Dr. Popescu is always receptive to my ideas and allows me to take directions that I am most interested in, while keeping me focused and on track.”
7/20/21
Kirstie Cummings, PhD ’16
Biochemistry
"The other residents were genuinely kind and considerate and worked so well as a team. I could not imagine being anywhere else for my residency."
4/23/21
Laura Epperly, DO
Pediatrics '17
“Our fellowship is really special in what it has to offer, the camaraderie and community that we have is unmatched.”
4/23/21
Lauren Davidson, DO
Neonatal-perinatal medicine ’18
“I always had an opportunity to ask the attendings questions, and I knew that their best interest was my learning.”
4/23/21
Lauren Ibrahim, MD
Infectious diseases ’13
“My mentor was very patient. She took the time to explain things.”
2/22/21
Lisa Russell, PhD ’11
Biochemistry
“I collaborated with very important people in the field of cancer research.”
10/15/21
Loukia Karacosta, PhD ‘13
Assistant professor
“I was very excited to join the neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship program at the University at Buffalo, based on its excellent reputation nationwide.”
4/23/21
Mahdi Alsaleem, MD
Neonatal-perinatal medicine ’19
“I chose UB because it excels in general and subspecialty training and is dedicated to quality teaching and patient care.”
4/23/21
Maliha Rehman
Pediatrics
“The Jacobs School MD program allows you to contribute knowledge—not just consume it.”
4/23/21
Matthew Corey, MD ’11
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Faculty and administrators spent significant time guiding me to find a lab that was a perfect fit. That hands-on guidance made me realize that UB was the perfect fit for me.
7/20/21
Megan Murray, MD/PhD ’14
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
“Mentorship, opportunity and the ability to thrive is what makes UB a special place to complete your medical education.”
4/23/21
Moudi Hubeishy, MD ’19
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
”This program is excellent for people who want to learn, who want to succeed, and who want to do research in a place that's well established in research.”
4/23/21
Nithi Fernandes, MD
Neonatal-perinatal medicine ’17
“Buffalo has given me access to a diverse group of mentors and leaders in research. I have the opportunity to work in developing new technologies and educational tools for teaching neonatal resuscitation.”
4/23/21
Pedro Rivera-Hernandez, MD
Neonatal-perinatal medicine ’21
“I felt confident treating anyone—from a healthy, young individual to a renal transplant patient to an immunocompromised patient with advanced cancer.”
4/23/21
Rajinger Bajwa, MD
Infectious diseases ’13
“Being able to participate on interdisciplinary teams and not having a narrow view is important for advancing within a corporation.”
10/15/21
Rob Foxenberg, PhD ‘07
Toxicologist
“UB faculty understood where I was and had a vision of where I would need to go.”
12/19/19
Robert W. Maul, PhD ’07
Postdoctoral fellow
“I have always believed that strong community engagement will strengthen our relationships with each other and maintain a better quality of life for all.”
4/23/21
Robert W. Macek, MD
Family medicine ’18
“You can do whatever you want to do leaving UB — and be in a position to do it well.”
4/23/21
Sam Racette, MD ’17
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"Mark's job was to help me when I need it. Mine was to learn to be self-sufficient."
4/23/21
Sandra Small, PhD ’11
Biochemistry
“You’re allowed to develop your own interests. You’re not pressured to fit into a particular mold.”
9/1/22
Sergio Hernandez, MD ’06
Psychiatry residency ’10
“Dr. Buck has been a very helpful mentor. The training in his lab helped me to get into the University of Toronto, which has one of the best molecular genetics programs in the whole world.”
5/6/22
Shamira Tabrejee, MS ’20
Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
"The people are all helpful and endearing, and the city truly offers everything you would like."
4/23/21
Susana Ruano, MD
Pediatrics ’21
“Labs in the department span very diverse research interests.”
4/23/21
Thomas Hohle, PhD ’10
Biochemistry
“My mentor let me take routes I wanted to explore.”
4/23/21
Will Borschel, PhD ’12
Biochemistry
“The program is intimate enough to allow personal interactions with the attending physicians, who are eager to teach.”
4/23/21
William Terry, MD ’09, MPH
Pediatrics
“I always felt like I could talk to my teachers about anything, and everyone is very supportive.”
4/23/21
Winnie Tsao, MD ’13
Family medicine ’16
“My six years at UB were the most meaningful and wonderful time of my life. I grew up a lot, made a lot of progress and gained a wealth of knowledge and friends.”
5/6/22
Zichun Xiao, MS ’21
Neuroscience