217 Biomedical Science Graduates Include 32 PhDs

The graduates included Amanda Ruby, who earned the first degree awarded through UB’s interdisciplinary Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program — a master of science.

Graduates completed work in 10 other departments or programs of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:

• biochemistry
• biomedical sciences
• biotechnical and clinical laboratory sciences
• microbiology and immunology
• neuroscience
• nuclear medicine technology
• medical technology
• pathology and anatomical sciences
• pharmacology and toxicology
• physiology and biophysics

Graduates also completed the following programs offered in alliance with the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Graduate Division: bioinformatics and biostatistics, cancer pathology and prevention, molecular pharmacology and cancer therapeutics, immunology, cellular and molecular biology and natural sciences.

UB President Satish Tripathi conferred the degrees during the event at the Center for the Arts on the North Campus.

Four doctoral candidates and eight undergraduates received special recognition for outstanding accomplishments.

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Dissertation Research
Dennis Higgins Award for PhD Dissertation Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology

David Thorn received both awards for his dissertation, “Behavioral Characterization of Imidazoline I2 Receptor Ligands: Interactions With Opioids.”

His research was recognized for culminating in presentations at national and international meetings, publications, research grant fellowships and awards of excellence. Thorn also was honored for his commitment to community service and collegiality within the scientific community.

Mentor: Jun-Xu Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology

Biochemistry Dissertation Research Recognition Award

Darshan Sapkota was honored for research that received national or international recognition and for being selected to give an oral presentation at a major national or international meeting.

Dissertation: “Onecut1 and Onecut2 Function Redundantly to Determine Multiple Cell Fates During Mouse Retinal Development”

Mentor: Xiuqian Mu, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology

Microbiology and Immunology Award for Excellence in Dissertation Research in Memory of Dr. Murray W. Stinson

Virginia E. Glazier received this award for her outstanding dissertation research; related publications and presentations; and overall academic achievement.

Dissertation: “Posttranscriptional Regulation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in Cryptococcus neoformans”

Mentor: John C. Panepinto, PhD, associate professor of microbiology and immunology

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Award for Overall Excellence in Cancer Research

Megan Murray was recognized for her dissertation “CD28-Mediated Pro-Survival Signaling: A Novel Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.”

Mentor: Kelvin P. Lee, MD, professor of medicine

Two graduating seniors who majored in biomedical sciences were recognized with the highest State University of New York undergraduate honor. 

Sara-Ann E. Fox and Karin R. Hsieh both received SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence.

The following awards honor high academic performance and involvement in the campus community and external organizations:

Biochemistry
Lauren Carnevale

Biomedical Sciences
Ryan Hess

Biotechnology
Rachel Ludwig

Medical Technology
Ranbir Singh

Nuclear Medicine Technology
Kasha Balestrieri

Pharmacology and Toxicology
Jessica Lapiano

Allen Barnett, PhD ’65, president emeritus of Kinex Pharmaceuticals, delivered the commencement address.

For 10 years, Barnett led the company’s development of novel oral anti-cancer drugs, based on research conducted at UB. Previously, during his tenure at Schering-Plough, Barnett brought four drugs to the marketplace and led the effort that resulted in the discovery of Claritin, a non-sedating antihistamine.

At UB, Barnett funded an endowment that enables top pharmacology and toxicology students to travel to and present their research at national meetings.