PhD White Coat Ceremony Honors Student Advancement

By Dirk Hoffman

John C. Panepinto, PhD, senior associate dean for biomedical education and professor of microbiology and immunology, offered opening remarks at the ceremony.

“Back at orientation in August, I said the primary goal of what we are doing is twofold: how to do science and to learn how to be a scientist, and those are two very different things,” he told the students.

“As you enter into your laboratories, you are going to be focused on the work and the questions, but I encourage you to not to forget to turn around,” Panepinto added. “You will be looking in at your projects, but turn around and look out. Look at the world and ask yourself ‘what can I do to make it better?’ So, I encourage you to hang onto that and keep the fire in the belly going.”

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, also congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

“For you PhD biosciences students, receiving your lab coat symbolizes a transition from learning in a classroom setting to becoming true scientists in the laboratory,” she said.

“While your lab coat serves a functional purpose, it is also a symbol of trust, professionalism and education.”

Brashear also handed out two awards that were presented by Laboratory Product Sales (LPS), one of the sponsors of the white coat ceremony.

Caleb Buerger won the Academic Achievement Award, which is presented to a PPBS student who demonstrates mastery of the first-year course curriculum.

He is matching into the laboratory of Elizabeth A. Wohlfert, PhD, for a PhD in microbiology and immunology.

The Rotation Award is presented to a PPBS student nominated by a faculty mentor for outstanding research during a laboratory rotation. 

It was presented to Patrick Oduro, who is matching to the labs of Thomas D. Grant, PhD, and Michael G. Malkowski, PhD, for a PhD in structural biology.

Andrew M. Gulick, PhD, professor of structural biology and director of the PPBS program, announced the students’ names for the cloaking ceremony.

He also reminded students “that a great way to serve your interdisciplinary education is to stay in touch with your peers, go to people’s talks, look at their posters and papers. That is a good way to not only scientifically broaden your experience, but also further your education.”

The PPBS students are listed below, with their department and mentor matches.

The PPBS provides an entry portal and a common first-year curriculum, mentoring, hands-on opportunities and financial support.

With its laboratory rotation system, students can explore a variety of disciplines before committing to their specific area of research.

The white coat ceremony was conducted May 25 in the Ronald I. Dozoretz, MD ’62 Auditorium at the Jacobs School building. A brief reception in the building’s atrium followed the ceremony.