Students’ Achievements Recognized at Academic Excellence Ceremony

The three awardees were among students from disciplines across the university who were awarded — or nominated for — national, State University of New York (SUNY) and UB awards.

Yun Beom Lee, from the Department of Biochemistry, was a recipient of the UB Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creativity.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions that achieve superiority in presentation, content and scope.

Lee conducted research titled “Knockdown of Presynaptic Dopamine D2 Receptors from Mesolimbic and Nigrostriatal Terminals: mRNA Analysis” and was mentored by Caroline E. Bass, PhD, research assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

Kristen A. Milleville and Natasha Singh, two students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. 

The award — the highest SUNY honor for undergraduate students — recognizes individuals for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, including leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, entrepreneurship or career achievement.

Milleville is a University Honors College Scholar from Tonawanda. After spending more than 700 hours conducting research in the neuropsychology lab, she co-authored a neuropsychology research article and presented a poster at the UB Celebration of Student Academic Excellence. 

She was also a teaching assistant for human anatomy and biomedical sciences seminars. Outside the classroom, Milleville was a member of the 2015 state champion UB club field hockey team.

Singh participated in a 2013 study-abroad trip focused on health care in Brazil. Her work abroad continued with two service trips to the Dominican Republic in 2013 and 2014, where she helped provide English education to the entire community of Monte Cristi.  

A University Honors College Scholar from Buffalo, Singh was one of 10 New York State students chosen to receive the John G. Karrer Scholarship for meritorious community service. 

Milleville and Singh graduated with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences. Additionally, Singh earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

The 12th annual celebration included an undergraduate poster presentation that showcased research in projects nominated by deans and program coordinators from a variety of UB’s academic disciplines.

President Satish K. Tripathi, who gave opening remarks at the ceremony, said: “It is deeply rewarding to see our students taking full advantage of the opportunities and experiences available to them at UB.”

“Individually, the students we honor today embody our university’s academic mission — to make the world a better place through our ideas, our innovations and our engagement,” he said.

Charles F. Zukoski, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, emphasized: “We are passionate about inspiring our students, seeking understanding, approaching the most important questions and issues of our time, and improving the human condition.”

The April celebration was hosted by Tripathi and Zukoski together with Andrew M. Stott, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education.