Bridget Corsaro
Bridget Corsaro, left, celebrates the ninth annual PhD white coat ceremony at the Jacobs School with her mentor, Monica Pillon, PhD.
Meet Bridget Corsaro, PhD Student in the Department of Structural Biology
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I grew up in Bloomfield, New York. I began my academic career at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, where I earned my associate’s degree.
After completing my degree, I transferred to Wagner College in New York City, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in microbiology, with a secondary major in psychology.
What made you want to choose UB for your doctoral studies?
When I came to the University at Buffalo, I entered through the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS). I was drawn to the University at Buffalo because of the breadth of research opportunities available.
During accepted students’ day, it was clear to me that faculty were deeply invested in their trainees. Conversations I had with current students reinforced that this support extends beyond the lab, creating an environment where collaboration and open communication are encouraged!
Are there aspects of the PhD program you particularly enjoy?
One of my favorite aspects of the structural biology program is its strong collaborative culture, both within structural biology and across campus. I’ve really appreciated the coursework, which feels intentionally designed to support students at every stage of their training.
The classes are unique and highly practical, for example, I enjoyed learning how to give a professional chalk talk last semester. Events like the Western New York Structural Biology Collaborative Symposium further reinforce the department’s emphasis on communication, collaboration, and professional development for their students.
How do you feel about living in Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo is the perfect-sized city for me. While it has the infrastructure of a larger city, it also has a close-knit, small-town feel where community really matters. I love being in Western New York, with its delicious food, great sports (go Bills!), beautiful nature, live music, and strong sense of local culture.
What kind of research are you conducting?
My research focuses on characterizing ribonucleases responsible for RNA maturation in the mitochondria, using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates biochemistry, cell biology, and structural biology.
What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to draw from multiple fields and techniques, allowing me to develop a broad yet deep scientific skill set.
I’ve always been drawn to interdisciplinary research, and I feel fortunate to work on a project that lets me continuously learn while addressing fundamental questions about mitochondrial RNA biology.