Middletown, NY

Biomedical Sciences, BS, University at Buffalo
Microbiology & Immunology, MS, University at Buffalo

I plan to graduate with this doctorate and go on to work in industry hopefully with an immunology focus.

Running, hiking, reading, cats, and spending time with my friends!

I have lived all over the East Coast but have settled in Buffalo, where I completed my undergrad at UB and then went on to do an MS and now a PhD at the Jacobs School. I am part of the Armbruster Lab, where we study bacterial pathogens associated with catheterized urinary tract infections. My particular research focuses on host pathogen interactions, specifically in regard to immune responses. I'm happy to chat with people about life in Buffalo, grad school life, or science in general!

Webster, NY

Neuroscience, BS, University at Buffalo
Neuroscience, MS, University at Buffalo

Teaching Neuroscience and Anatomy courses

Barre & pilates classes, reading, spending time with family & friends

Hi! My name is Marissa, and I am a Neuroscience PhD student researching multiple sclerosis in a clinical research setting. I went to UB for undergrad and a master's degree before starting my PhD, so I am happy to answer questions about all three programs!

Buffalo, NY

Biological Sciences, BS, University at Buffalo

My future goals include attending medical school and becoming a neurosurgeon. I also hope to continue contributing to research that improves our understanding of neurological diseases.

Outside of academics, I enjoy trivia, movies, music, cooking, gaming, traveling, playing piano, and spending time with animals. I host an online trivia community on TikTok, where I bring people together to have fun and test their knowledge across a wide range of topics. I also volunteer weekly at a cat shelter, where I love giving all of the kitties plenty of cuddles. I have two fur babies of my own that I love spoiling: Choppa, my mini dachshund, and Clip, my tabby cat!

I am a second-year M.S. Neuroscience student. I have always been fascinated by the brain and how neuroscience can be translated into better patient care. My research focuses on using neuroimaging techniques to better understand disease progression in multiple sclerosis, which has given me the opportunity to explore my interests in both research and medicine.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy meeting new people, learning about random and unusual topics, and hearing about other people's experiences. I also love trying new foods from various cultures and learning about the history and traditions behind them. One of my favorite parts of graduate school has been being surrounded by people with different backgrounds and interests and having the opportunity to learn from them.

As an ambassador, I am eager to connect with prospective and current students, share my experiences, and help others feel welcomed and excited to become part of the Jacobs community!

Jamestown, NY

Neuroscience, BS, University at Buffalo

Continue doing research, either as a PhD student or in an industry role.

Reading, baking, working out, traveling, hiking, skiing, thrifting, music, and trying new coffee shops :)

Hi! I am a second-year student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology M.S. program, but I also did my undergrad at UB, and I love Buffalo. When I am not at school, I am usually at work, at home reading or baking, or spending time outside during the few warm months we get here. I also travel to my hometown a lot because I have 4 younger brothers who I love to visit and hang out with when I get the opportunity.

Manhattan, KS

Psychology, BA, University of Kansas
Biomedical Sciences, MS, Kansas State University

To become a professor like my dad

Guitar, piano, theatre, reading, muay thai, ttrpgs

Hi, I'm Shane! I'm a second-year PhD student in Physiology. I love listening to and telling stories, of all sorts. From presenting on my data to playing characters on stage to narrating wild adventures at the tabletop - I'm all in for a good narrative. All this storytelling also obviously means I have perfect spelling and grammar and any typos I make are because my cat, Aliquot, walked all over my keyboard again.

Dedham, MA

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst

Become an academic principal investigator at a university

Volleyball, hiking, painting, coffee, plants

Hi! I am a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Biochemistry Department and enjoy learning about cellular and molecular biology. My research focuses on studying the effects of post-translational modification on protein-RNA interactions in cancer biology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing indoor and sand volleyball, hiking, and trying out new restaurants and coffee shops in the Buffalo area! I am happy to answer any questions about life in Buffalo and navigating academic programs!

Jupiter, FL

University of Florida (Go Gators)

Complete my PhD in Neuroscience and pursue a career focused on concussion research, sports medicine, and health policy. I hope to contribute to improving concussion diagnosis, management, and return-to-play policies through research and evidence-based practice.

Diving, hiking, surfing, fishing, traveling, Pilates, dogs, and spending time outdoors

I am a Neuroscience PhD student studying sports-related concussion and traumatic brain injury. My current research focuses on identifying objective biomarkers of concussion and recovery, with an emphasis on retinal imaging, cerebrovascular physiology, and other emerging technologies. Prior to graduate school, I worked in neuropathology research examining chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurodegenerative changes in former NFL athletes. I have also had the opportunity to collaborate with biotechnology startups to evaluate and implement emerging technologies for concussion assessment and neurological monitoring. Outside of the lab, I am originally from Florida and love anything that gets me outdoors - especially diving, surfing, fishing, hiking, and traveling. I also enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dogs.

Los Angeles, California

BS Cellular/Molecular Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt
MS Microbiology & Immunology, University at Buffalo

TBD - you don't have to have it all figured out! For now, I know I enjoy teaching, mentoring, and scientific communication.

I enjoy reading, all varieties of arts n' crafts, dogs, the theater, time in nature, and time with friends and family.

Hello there! I am a PhD student in the Biochemistry department investigating autoimmunity through a variety of projects. I went from undergrad, to biotech, to Masters, to biotech, and returned for my PhD to help me in achieving a career that fulfills me. In addition to being a PhD student, I participate in a variety of outreach including working with the UB STEM Ambassadors and with Buffalo Public Schools. Happy to answer any and all questions!

Bangladesh

BS in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, North South University
MS in Biotechnology, North South University

Translational Research Scientist

Traveling, Hiking

PhD candidate in Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics at the University at Buffalo, with a deep passion for cancer research and a drive to develop better treatments that transform and improve patients' lives.

Streamwood, IL

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience

A mix of industry/bench science work and community outreach work

Any new activity with friends, dogs, baking, painting, watching sitcoms, trying new restaurants/bars, trying new workout classes on ClassPass, & big fan of napping.

Hi I'm Amritha! I am from outside of Chicago, IL. I have a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience. I took 2 gap years to explore clinical research before starting PPBS. I am currently a third-year PhD candidate in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department in Dr. Amanda Klein's lab. My research focuses on investigating the role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in opioid use disorder using a combination of animal behavior models (conditioned place preference) and molecular biology (qPCR, in vivo electrophysiology, etc). I wanted to be an Ambassador because I am passionate about building community amongst peers and science communication. In my career, I aspire to make scientific research accessible to everyone, especially outside of the field.

Lockport, NY

Biomedical Sciences, BS, University at Buffalo

Pursue a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

Baseball, swimming, dog walking, reading

Hello, my name is Jack Marso, and I am a second-year Master's student in the department of Microbiology and Immunology. I'm a twin and the youngest of three siblings. I'm a proud and passionate Buffaloian sports fan, despite how heartbreaking it can be. Outside of school, I umpire JV, varsity, and summer baseball games while enjoying the many activities that Western New York's four seasons offers. If I'm not in the lab, you will definitely catch me spending time with my dog, Charlie, or finding a comfy spot to read a new book.

Buffalo, NY

Neuroscience, B.S., University at Buffalo

Get accepted into medical school!

Playing pickleball, attending concerts, and rooting for the Bills!

Hi! My name is Madison, a second-year Neuroscience master’s student at JSMBS. I study age-related differences in cognition in Dr. Thomas Covey’s Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, using EEG to examine how cognitive control and attention change across younger and older adults. I also completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at UB, so I’ve gotten to experience UB from both the undergraduate and graduate student perspective, and I’m currently hoping to attend medical school after finishing my master’s. Outside of the lab, I’m very involved on campus and currently serve on the executive boards for both UB’s Residence Hall Association and the Neuroscience Graduate Student Association. Getting involved has been one of the best parts of my time at UB, whether that means planning campus-wide events, meeting new people, or helping other students find their place here. If you have questions about the Neuroscience master’s program, getting involved in research, transitioning from undergrad to graduate school, student organizations, or just what it’s like being a student at Jacobs, feel free to reach out! :)

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

B. S. in Life Sciences (Honors), Ahmedabad University
M.S. in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo

My long-term goal is to pursue a career in academia as a professor, combining my passion for research and teaching. I hope to lead meaningful research, educate and support future scientists, and remain engaged in science communication.

Cooking, painting, art illustrations and creative writing

Hi everyone! I'm Rajvi. I'm originally from India and came to Buffalo about 5 years ago to pursue my passion for neuroscience. I started at UB as a Master’s student and am now a fourth-year PhD candidate in Neuroscience. My research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ADHD, using multi-omics and translational approaches. I am fortunate to be able to work across a bench-to-clinic spectrum, where, at the bench, I explore ADHD genomics and transcriptomics, and on the clinical side, I work with children on the benefits of mindfulness for coping with symptoms. Beyond research, I enjoy being involved in student engagement, leadership, and science outreach and communication, as it gives me the opportunity to meet new people from different backgrounds, support fellow students by sharing my experiences and learnings, and spark curiosity about science in younger minds. As much as I love research, in my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends, cooking, hiking, exploring restaurants and cafés, and painting.

Paterson, NJ

Biochemistry; Ramapo College of New Jersey

Initially I want to begin in industry then transition to academia

Politics, Philosophy, Baseball, Pokemon

I am a second-year PhD student who develops drugs to attenuate addiction-like behaviors. Research and teaching are my passions, so eventually I would like to return to academia to pursue that. I have a 10-year-old dog named Tootsie who is the love of my life (I will show you pictures unprompted).

Oceanside, NY

Biological Sciences BS, University at Buffalo

Attend medical school and become a practicing physician

Listening to music, playing videogames, and going on hikes.

Hi! My name is Aidan and I'm a second-year Master's student in the Medical Anatomy and Experimental Pathology (MAEP) MS program. I enjoy listening to music, playing videogames, going on hikes, and playing DnD with my friends. I play the alto saxophone, and when I was an undergrad at UB, I performed with the marching band during halftime at two Bills games!

Gujarat, India

B.Sc. in Biology and minor in Psychology, Cleveland State University

I am working toward a career that bridges scientific research and clinical impact, where I can translate complex science into knowledge that reaches patients and clinicians. I am especially drawn to roles in medical and scientific communication with the life sciences.

I collect adventures like some people collect mugs. I love hiking, once went skydiving on a completely random Saturday (highly recommend), and have gone scuba diving because why not. I'm powered almost entirely by coffee and am on a slow but determined quest to master latte art. I'm a hopeless music nerd, a devoted foodie who will travel across town (or the world) for a good meal, and I'll say yes to just about any trip. When I'm finally sitting still, it's usually with a good non-fiction book.

Hi! I'm Darshita, an M.S. Neuroscience student researching brain imaging in multiple sclerosis at the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center. In plain terms: I spend my days trying to understand what's happening inside the brain in ways that regular scans can't show, which is every bit as fascinating as it sounds. My path here definitely wasn't a straight line. I grew up in India, moved to the US for my undergrad in Cleveland, and then spent a few years doing full-time research in sunny San Diego before deciding I wasn't done learning and coming back for my master's. So if your journey to grad school looks a little winding, trust me, I get it, and I'd argue the detours make you better at this, not behind. Being an international student, I know exactly how big and nerve-wracking this decision can feel, especially when home is thousands of miles away. I've navigated the excitement, the homesickness, the visa paperwork, and the "what am I doing?" moments and came out genuinely loving where I've landed. More than anything, I love talking to people who are figuring out their next step. I'm a firm believer in honest advice over sugar-coating, so if you reach out, you'll get the real picture: what's amazing about this program, what's challenging, and everything in between.

Poconos, Pennsylvania

Biochemistry - Syracuse University

Teaching, cytochrome P450 research, structure-based drug design

Reading fiction, crafting, video games

I'm a 4th year PhD candidate in the biochemistry department and started in the PPBS program back in 2023. I am in the lab of Dr. Fernando Estrada, studying cytochrome P450 enzymes originating from the opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. My research involves studying the binding and metabolism of cystic fibrosis drugs and fluoroquinolone antibiotics through a mixture of biochemical assays and structure based studies with the central hypothesis that the broad specificity of these enzymes is contributing to the metabolism of drugs during an active infection. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the biochemistry department, the PPBS program, or living in Buffalo! I encourage you to reach out to me even if you don't have specific questions!