Our Students & Trainees

“Working in Dr. Kosman’s lab was a great experience. It brought my interests to an interdisciplinary field between metal biology and neurosciences.”

Changyi Ji, PhD ’16
Biochemistry

Learn more about our students and trainees: their studies, their aspirations and what they appreciate about the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Aras’s research on obesity and cardiac arrhythmia is of great interest to me, which is why I joined his lab. So far, working under his tutelage has given me the opportunity to study the molecular and physiological mechanisms connecting these critical risk factors contributing to sudden cardiac death.
12/11/25
Adedayo Adelakun
PhD student
“Collaboration here is great. There is so much that people are working on that they can offer insight with a different viewpoint.”
9/28/21
Alexandra Ruth Glathar
Doctoral student in biochemistry
“I love the collaborative atmosphere at the Jacobs School. The lab spaces are very open which facilitates communication with other labs.”
3/18/25
Alexsandra Peyton Lenhard
Doctoral student in microbiology and immunology
“When interviewing for residency programs, I was looking for a place that felt like home. When interviewing with University at Buffalo, the staff and residents were so welcoming and seemed genuinely happy!”
12/8/22
Alicia Ryan
Pediatrics residency trainee
“I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by such supportive and caring co-residents, many of whom I now consider my family.”
10/16/25
Alondra Pastor Calcano, MD
Neurology resident
“Embarking on this master's program has provided me with the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in the biomedical field. It is equipping me and broadening my knowledge to become a remarkable future medical scientist. ”
5/2/24
Andrea Botchway, current student
“We’re merging the general knowledge of biology and biochemistry with engineering and artificial intelligence to study disease in a whole new way for the future of medicine.”
4/23/21
Briana Santo
Doctoral student in computational cell biology, anatomy and pathology
“One of my favorite aspects of the structural biology program is its strong collaborative culture, both within structural biology and across campus.”
1/14/26
Bridget Corsaro
Student, PhD program in structural biology
“The choice to rank UB’s neurology program was easy for me. I was attracted to the large hospital system with the appropriate infrastructure to support it as an innovating leader in neuroscience.”
10/16/25
Charles Webster, MD
Neurology resident
“The work I have completed and skill set I have learned in Dr. Estrada’s lab are perfect to pursue a career at a pharmaceutical company since it is focused on understanding the molecular basis by which a major family of drug metabolizing enzymes works.”
5/13/22
Chris Campomizzi
Doctoral student in biochemistry
Dr. Parker has a smaller research group and this fit well with my personality. His enthusiasm for his work really led me to seek a position in his lab.
10/22/25
Clayton Brady
MD-PhD student
“The Jacobs School has an amazing variety of student-run programs that are active in improving the health of Western New Yorkers. The community involvement here is second to none.”
6/7/22
Cody Kelso, MD ’22
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
“It is exciting to know that you can be the first one ever to see a given atomic structure and how important that can be in mechanism elucidation.”
1/14/26
Cole Masuga
Student, PhD program in structural biology
“Between the access to research, high-level athletes (D1 and professional), and incredibly experienced attendings, I know that JSMBS is setting me up for success no matter where I want to go in sports medicine and emergency medicine.”
12/11/25
Cullan Donnelly, MD
Primary care sports medicine fellow
The opportunity to work with exceptional mentors in an innovative research environment and gain clinical experience within Buffalo’s diverse hospital system attracted me to UB’s MD-PhD program.
11/5/24
Elliot Kramer
MD-PhD student
“The training you receive as a graduate student in microbiology and immunology is vigorous and sets you up to be a great scientist.”
4/23/21
Essi Tchalla
Doctoral student in microbiology and immunology
“It’s nice to be able to reach out to people in other labs. It’s great to get their help and bounce ideas off them.”
11/12/21
Garrett Sheehan
Doctoral candidate in the neuroscience program
“While here, I’ve learned a variety of applicable techniques, collaborated with scientists from a range of disciplines, and developed my ability to think critically about research questions.”
1/27/22
Haley Victoria Parker
Trainee in the doctoral program in biochemistry
“The things we can do with bioinformatics are unimaginable. We can use genomic sequences to find cures for diseases and improve agriculture for everyone’s benefit.”
3/8/22
Hasiba Asma
Doctoral candidate in genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
“The Jacobs School neuroscience program really has a perfect balance of research and a group of faculty within the program that will support you, drive you and encourage your research.”
11/22/21
Hope Nyarady
Master’s student in neuroscience
“During my time at the Jacobs School, I have learned what it means to be an independent scientist and have learned to ask questions to help me better understand what I’m doing.”
8/19/21
Isabella Lydia Ann Schember
Doctoral student in biochemistry
The Jacobs School has empowered me to pursue my research on the molecular mechanisms underlying corneal dystrophy progression. The strong sense of community, the academic rigor, the unwavering support, all combined with the shared commitment to improve the human condition — I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again.
12/11/25
Jacob Tondreau
PhD student
“What’s more human than the human mind, in combination with the body? I thought that psychiatry was the perfect area of medicine that represents humanity.”
9/28/22
James Thompson, MD
Psychiatry residency trainee
“I have always found community at UB. I felt well supported throughout undergrad as well as in medical school, so choosing UB for residency was an easy decision.”
1/19/26
Jeanvieve Cannon, MD ’23
Resident, Department of Anesthesiology
“The diversity of research and all the opportunities I’d have stood out to me with the Jacobs School.”
6/11/25
Katherine Sortino
Doctoral student in microbiology and immunology
“The opportunity to spend time with and learn from patients at some of their most vulnerable times is a true privilege.”
4/23/21
Kevin Intrieri, MD ’22
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"The addiction medicine fellowship at UB offers a comprehensive curriculum with inpatient and outpatient opportunities, including unique clinical rotations at the hepatitis clinic and involving criminal justice care."
12/11/25
Kristina Awan, MD
Addiction medicine fellow
“My favorite aspect of the UB anesthesiology program is the broad scope of cases we get to see throughout our clinical years.”
1/20/26
Kristine Karibandi, MD ’22
Resident, Department of Anesthesiology
“The program empowers students to lead innovative projects that align with their passions and contribute meaningfully to the field.”
1/13/26
Lucille Tomin
Student, PhD program in biomedical informatics
“The major draw for me was the incredible variety of research performed here, and the opportunities to explore and learn about different but similar fields such as bioinformatics.”
9/3/21
Luke Andrew Graser
Student in BS/MS dual degree program in pharmacology and toxicology
“The NSIM program has served as the perfect bridge between college and applying to medical school. During my time as a student in this program, I have grown so much – both academically and personally. Additionally, I have made lifelong friends in Buffalo who I will forever cherish. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to improve their understanding of natural sciences prior to applying to medical school. ”
5/2/24
Mackenzie Steen, current student
“This program has been exceptional in its ability to allow me to find my place in science and in research with such a wide range of possibilities in labs and in classes.”
1/14/26
Mercedes Fisk
Student, PhD program in structural biology
“UB taught me to look past the educational setting and learn what I need to do to become a better professional and independent researcher.”
4/23/21
Mohamed Sharif
Doctoral candidate in biochemistry
“The mentorship throughout the program was extremely valuable as I progressed from being a beginner scientist to feeling confident in my discipline.”
1/14/26
Monica MacDonald, PhD
Alumna, PhD program in structural biology
“This program and degree afforded me a lot of versatile skills bestowing me flexibility in what I can do in the future. That’s ultimately what I wanted coming into the program.”
2/28/25
Nissa Medwid
Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
“The residency program at UB provides me with diverse training amongst six different clinical sites and exposure to a wide variety of cases.”
1/19/26
Olivia Hanes, MD

Resident, Department of Anesthesiology
“On reviewing residency programs, UB was touted as one of the oldest programs in the country with a proven track record.”
1/19/26
Omar Jack, DO
Resident, Department of Anesthesiology
“The Jacobs School has given me the platform to hone my skills and improve my knowledge to become a better researcher. Participating in various conferences has given me public experience, which has made me a confident lady.”
12/8/22
Sana Qayum
Trainee in master’s in pharmacology and toxicology program
“I really enjoy the collaborative atmosphere, especially when you’re trying to solve a problem.”
12/8/22
Shirley Xu
Doctoral student in pharmacology and toxicology
“Each day begins with a clear plan and structured goals, which creates an efficient, supportive learning environment.”
1/20/26
Shivana Ramsingh, MBBS
Resident, Department of Anesthesiology
“The Jacobs School has been a great fit for me. It’s been a great learning experience.”
4/23/21
Steven A. Lewis
Doctoral student in computational cell biology, anatomy and pathology
The students and faculty in the MD-PhD program are very supportive of each other.
11/5/24
Yuhao (Tom) Shi
MD-PhD student
“The pace, volume, and team culture sharpen decision‑making and reinforce what matters most: delivering timely, equitable stroke care.”
10/16/25
Zaka Ahmed, MD
Vascular neurology fellow