Debate Winner: Pathology, Anatomical Sciences Expert

Imagine this: Civilization has been destroyed. The only survivors are University at Buffalo students and six of their professors. The students have discovered an uninhabited island and decided there’s a chance of survival if they rebuild civilization with their professors’ help. However, the students only have a small life raft and one seat left.

For those participating in the 11th annual Life Raft Debate, hosted by the Honors College, this doomsday scenario was their reality.

Professors were asked to debate their worth in the fictional life-or-death situation. Students’ lives were decided by the audience’s final vote.

At the February 15 event in the Student Union, the professors had to prove themselves to be indispensable for an improved quality of life, advocating for their accomplishments, knowledge and disciplines to build their case.

Master of Ceremonies Henry J. Nowak, JD — an Honors College alumnus and 1993 graduate of the School of Law, trial attorney and New York State Supreme Court judge since 2010 — introduced the panelists. Each had eight minutes in which to plead their case, with two minutes for rebuttal and a brief Q&A with students.

During his eight-minute segment, Costa, an instructor in the Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, channeled his knowledge of anatomic pathology, as well as molecular and cellular biology.

“The mind, as well as the body, needs to be preserved,” he said, emphasizing the importance of healing and prevention, from fractures and diseases to autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Not only would students have someone with medical and biological expertise on board if they chose him, he said, he would also inspire empathy and compassion by promoting equity.

In the end, Costa won over students and gained the seat on the raft. A sea of students watched as he held his prize — a wooden oar with small silver plaques listing past winners.

“Congratulations to Dr. Costa for successfully arguing that he is worthy of the coveted final spot in the imaginary life boat. His victory in the annual Life Raft Debate speaks volumes about the many merits of medical and biomedical science training,” says Allison Brashear, MD, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

“It’s clear that Dr. Costa — like so many of our faculty members in the Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences — has an invaluable understanding of the structure and function of the body, is well equipped to share his knowledge of the fundamental principles of disease, and is a leader who prizes compassion and equality,” she adds.

Costa, an alumnus, earned his doctoral degree in anatomical sciences and master’s degree in anthropology at UB.

David E. Gray, PhD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy, was the first to step into the spotlight. Gray promised to use his extensive knowledge of philosophy to inspire students to criticize and ask fundamental questions about reality, truth and values, rather than allow complacency to reign.

Paul Linden-Retek, JD, PhD, lecturer in law and society, and a research fellow at the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, was next. Law would bring the community together to work toward justice by restoring the rule of law, despite being “in the midst of the most immense problems of their lives,” Linden-Retek said.

Shawn J. Donahue, JD, PhD, was next to bring up the application of political science in this new age. A clinical assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, he said survivors would have to build a government from scratch and need to consider electoral institutions, civil rights and community diversity. 

Kevin Burke, PhD, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Electrical Engineering, said: “I promise you, try to think of something on a daily basis that you do right now that doesn’t require an electrical engineer, and you can’t do it.”

Cari Casteel, PhD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of History, took the microphone and thanked others for being her “opening act.” She filled her presentation with pop culture references and passion, suggesting “history is what we carry with us every day.”

Last year’s winner and this year’s Devil’s Advocate was John D. Atkinson, PhD, the Scott and Coleen Stevens Chair in Engineering Sustainability and associate professor of civil, structural and environmental engineering. He spoke after the rebuttals.