Our Students

We’d like you to meet our current PPBS cohort! Through our holistic admissions process, we are able to build a cohort of students that is inclusive of many scientific disciplines and diverse in both cultural backgrounds and paths to STEM.

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First-Year Students | Entering Class of 2026

Nikhi Boggavarapu
nboggava@buffalo.edu
BS '26, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Rochester Institute of Technology
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nboggava@buffalo.edu
Christopher Carson
ccarson4@buffalo.edu
BS '16, Bioinformatics, Rochester Institute of Technology
MS, Bioinformatics, Rochester Institute of Technology
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ccarson4@buffalo.edu
Isabel Deschamps
idescham@buffalo.edu
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idescham@buffalo.edu
Shaneva Edwards
shanevae@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Neuroscience, Lycoming College
MPH, '26, Public Health, American Public University
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shanevae@buffalo.edu
Raisa Eram
reram@buffalo.edu
BS'22, Biology, Stony Brook University
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reram@buffalo.edu
Caitlin O'Neil
coneil@buffalo.edu
BA '26, Chemical Physics, College of Wooster
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coneil@buffalo.edu
Emma Ogilvie
emmaogil@buffalo.edu
BS '25, Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo
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emmaogil@buffalo.edu
Hande Oktay
handeokt@buffalo.edu
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handeokt@buffalo.edu

Former PPBS Students

Adedayo Adelakun
aoadelak@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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aoadelak@buffalo.edu
Olatunbosun Adeoke
oaadeoke@buffalo.edu
BS '16, Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt
MS '23, Biochemistry, Baku State University
Email Olatunbosun Adeoke Profile for Olatunbosun Adeoke
oaadeoke@buffalo.edu
Sara Ahmed
sahmed44@buffalo.edu
BS '19, Clinical Laboratory Science, King Saud University
MS '23, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester
Thesis Title: Elucidating the Role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Colorectal Cancer
Email Sara Ahmed Profile for Sara Ahmed
sahmed44@buffalo.edu
Andrea Alfaro Chacon
BS '18, Chemistry, Biology and Pharmaceutics, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY)
MS '21, Master’s in Health Research, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY)
Thesis Title: TBD
Profile for Andrea Alfaro Chacon
Chukwujekwu Aleke
chukwuje@buffalo.edu
BS '18, Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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chukwuje@buffalo.edu
Madison Aust
mraust@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biochemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology
Thesis Title: TBD
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mraust@buffalo.edu
Alexandra Benedetto
acbenede@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Microbiology, University of Georgia
Thesis Title: TBD
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acbenede@buffalo.edu
Anagha Betadpur
anaghabe@buffalo.edu
BS '16, Microbiology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Bangalore University
Thesis Title: TBD
Email Anagha Betadpur Profile for Anagha Betadpur
anaghabe@buffalo.edu
Sheta Biswas
shetabis@buffalo.edu
BS '16, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi
Thesis Title: TBD
Email Sheta Biswas Profile for Sheta Biswas
shetabis@buffalo.edu
Maria Broderick
mariabro@buffalo.edu
BFA '16, Performing Arts, Northern Kentucky University
BS '23, Neuroscience, Northern Kentucky University
Thesis Title: TBD
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mariabro@buffalo.edu
Caleb Buerger
calebbue@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biochemistry, University of Vermont
MS ’22, Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: Investigating the role of peripheral nerve damage in chronic Toxoplasma infection
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calebbue@buffalo.edu
Elizabeth Castro
ecastro3@buffalo.edu
BS ’22, Neuroscience and Psychology, Baldwin Wallace University
Thesis Title: Structural Brain Changes and Their Relationship to Clinical Symptoms in Adolescent Sport-Related Concussion
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ecastro3@buffalo.edu
Musea Chang
museacha@buffalo.edu
BS ’22, Biology, Lafayette College
AB ’22, Philosophy, Lafayette College
Thesis Title: TBD
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museacha@buffalo.edu
Chayanon Chuwonganant
chayanon@buffalo.edu
BA '19, Psychology, University of Kansas
MS '21, Biomedical Science, Kansas State University
Thesis Title: TBD
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chayanon@buffalo.edu
Alex Colarusso
acolarus@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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acolarus@buffalo.edu
Jazmin Corral
jazminco@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biological Sciences-Biomedical Concentration, The University of Texas at El Paso
Thesis Title: TBD
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jazminco@buffalo.edu
Bridget Corsaro
bjcorsar@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Microbiology and Psychology, Wagner College
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bjcorsar@buffalo.edu
Mateo Crever
mateocre@buffalo.edu
BS '21, Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology
MS '23, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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mateocre@buffalo.edu
Mary D'Angelo
marydang@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biology and Chemistry, Roger Williams University
Thesis Title: TBD
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marydang@buffalo.edu
Andra Dean
andradea@buffalo.edu
BS '20, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Spanish, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Thesis Title: TBD
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andradea@buffalo.edu
Amy De Lury
amydelur@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University
Thesis Title: The Role of EPAC2 in µ-Opioid-Mediated Signaling Dysfunction
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amydelur@buffalo.edu
Eshaan Deshmukh
eshaande@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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eshaande@buffalo.edu
Rhonda Drewes
rhondadr@buffalo.edu
BS ’16, Integrative Neuroscience, Binghamton University
Thesis Title: TBD
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rhondadr@buffalo.edu
Sean Duffy
seanduff@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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seanduff@buffalo.edu
Jazlyn Marina Edwards
jazlyned@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Neuroscience, University of Florida
Thesis Title: TBD
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jazlyned@buffalo.edu
Sandy Enriquez
sandyenr@buffalo.edu
BS ’16, Biochemistry, University at Stony Brook
Thesis Title: TBD
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sandyenr@buffalo.edu
Shaun Ferguson
shaunfer@buffalo.edu
BS' 20, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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shaunfer@buffalo.edu
Shane Fraher
shanefra@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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shanefra@buffalo.edu
Matthieu Fuchs
mffuchs2@buffalo.edu
BS '20, Biological Engineering, Cornell University
Thesis Title: TBD
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mffuchs2@buffalo.edu
Julia Furfaro
jfurfaro@buffalo.edu
BS ’22, Biology, SUNY New Paltz
Thesis Title: TBD
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jfurfaro@buffalo.edu
Karissa Garbarini
kkgarbar@buffalo.edu
BS ’22, Neuroscience, SUNY Geneseo
Thesis Title: Promoting and Retaining Scientists in the STEM Workforce
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kkgarbar@buffalo.edu
Ephraim Gardner
ephraimg@buffalo.edu
BS ’20, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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ephraimg@buffalo.edu
Michelle Goldberg
mgoldber@buffalo.edu
BS '18, Cellular/Molecular Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt
MS '21, Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: Investigating the role of Ets1 in Unswitched Memory B-cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Email Michelle Goldberg Profile for Michelle Goldberg
mgoldber@buffalo.edu
Luke Graser
lukegras@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo
MS ’22, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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lukegras@buffalo.edu
Mckenzie Haller
mhaller@buffalo.edu
BS '17, Behavioral Neuroscience, St Bonaventure University
MS '23, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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mhaller@buffalo.edu
Allison Hanna
aehanna@buffalo.edu
BS ’24, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: Elucidating stress-tolerance mechanisms of Bacteroidales to antimicrobial compounds
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aehanna@buffalo.edu
Md Hasanuzzaman
mhasanuz@buffalo.edu
BS Microbiology, University of Dhaka
MS Microbiology, University of Dhaka
Thesis Title: TBD
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mhasanuz@buffalo.edu
Olivia Herman
otherman@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Biochemistry, Westminster College
Thesis Title: TBD
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otherman@buffalo.edu
Gillian Hodge
ghodge2@buffalo.edu
BS '21, Biology, Ithaca College
Thesis Title: TBD
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ghodge2@buffalo.edu
Julia Hoyser
juliahoy@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Biology and Neuroscience, SUNY Brockport
Thesis Title: The role of anaerobic microbiota in shaping early CF airway ecosystems
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juliahoy@buffalo.edu
Gabriel Jay
gijay@buffalo.edu
BS '18, Biology, SUNY Geneseo
MS '22, Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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gijay@buffalo.edu
Layne Jensen
sljensen@buffalo.edu
BS '20, Mathematics, SUNY Cortland
Thesis Title: TBD
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sljensen@buffalo.edu
Anna Jiang
ajiang42@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona
Thesis Title: TBD
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ajiang42@buffalo.edu
Eliana Kenner
elianake@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biochemistry, Southern Oregon University
Thesis Title: Cellular activation state and viral reactivation of HIV-1 latency in human microglia
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elianake@buffalo.edu
Md Imran Khan
mdimrank@buffalo.edu
BS '19, Biochemistry & Biotechnology, North South University
MS '21, Biotechnology, North South University
Thesis Title: TBD
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mdimrank@buffalo.edu
Hiroko Kobayashi
hirokoko@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Human Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Kansas
Thesis Title: TBD
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hirokoko@buffalo.edu
Amritha Kumar
amrithak@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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amrithak@buffalo.edu
Timothy Low-Beer
tlowbeer@buffalo.edu
BS '19, Biology, Clarkson University
Thesis Title: TBD
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tlowbeer@buffalo.edu
Abigail Lowder
ahlowder@buffalo.edu
BA '25, Neuroscience, Hamilton College
Thesis Title: TBD
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ahlowder@buffalo.edu
Namya Manoj
namyaman@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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namyaman@buffalo.edu
Sasha Manus
sashaman@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biology, Brandeis University
Thesis Title: TBD
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sashaman@buffalo.edu
Adam Marin
anmarin@buffalo.edu
BS '25, Microbiology, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Thesis Title: TBD
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anmarin@buffalo.edu
Cole Masuga
colemasu@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Biochemistry, Western Washington University
Thesis Title: TBD
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colemasu@buffalo.edu
Cole Matrishin
colematr@buffalo.edu
BS ’20, Biology, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Thesis Title: TBD
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colematr@buffalo.edu
Maia Mazzaferro
maiamazz@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biology, SUNY Geneseo
Thesis Title: TBD
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maiamazz@buffalo.edu
Eric Mendelson
ericmend@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biochemistry, University of Rochester
Thesis Title: TBD
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ericmend@buffalo.edu
Thomas Mousso
tmousso@buffalo.edu
BS ’20, Biology, SUNY Brockport
Thesis Title: Survivin's role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell migration
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tmousso@buffalo.edu
Emma Murray
emmamurr@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago
Thesis Title: TBD
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emmamurr@buffalo.edu
Katlind Nearing
katlindn@buffalo.edu
BS '25, Veterinary Science, University of Arizona
Thesis Title: TBD
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katlindn@buffalo.edu
Veronica Nickerson
bdn2@buffalo.edu
BS '18, Biology and Psychology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Thesis Title: TBD
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bdn2@buffalo.edu
Patrick Oduro
pkoduro@buffalo.edu
BS ’18, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Thesis Title: TBD
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pkoduro@buffalo.edu
Jessica Paul
jcpaul@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Pathobiology, University of Connecticut
Thesis Title: TBD
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jcpaul@buffalo.edu
Chloe Picciano
chloepic@buffalo.edu
BS '25, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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chloepic@buffalo.edu
Natalie Popielski
Nhpopiel@buffalo.edu
BS ’17, Biology, Mercyhurst University
Thesis Title: Evidence supporting a distinct model for activity of mutagenic DNA polymerase ImuC in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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Nhpopiel@buffalo.edu
Sheana Ramcharan
sheanara@buffalo.edu
BS '21, Forensic Chemistry & Anthropology, SUNY Buffalo State University
MS '23, Forensic & Biological Anthropology, Mercyhurst University
Thesis Title: Identifying Translesion Synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases and their contribution to persister recovery in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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sheanara@buffalo.edu
FayeDiamond Raymond
fayeraym@buffalo.edu
BA ’19, Psychological Studies, California State University San Marcos
MS '21, Neuroscience, Brandeis University
Thesis Title: Improving Human Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Transplantation for CNS Regeneration
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fayeraym@buffalo.edu
Diana Rodriguez
dirodrig@buffalo.edu
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dirodrig@buffalo.edu
David Romero
deromero@buffalo.edu
BS 25', Biochemistry, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Thesis Title: TBD
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deromero@buffalo.edu
Kyle Salka
kylesalk@buffalo.edu
BS ’13, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut
MS '15, Molecular Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, The George Washington University
Thesis Title: TBD
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kylesalk@buffalo.edu
Anthony Sanchez
as397@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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as397@buffalo.edu
Samantha Schwarz
srschwar@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Integrative Animal Biology & Anthropology, University of South Florida
Thesis Title: From Molecules to Circuits: Mechanisms and Modulation of NMDA Receptor Function in Health and Disease
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srschwar@buffalo.edu
Ketsia Seide
ketsiase@buffalo.edu
BA '20, Biochemistry, CUNY Hunter College
Thesis Title: TBD
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ketsiase@buffalo.edu
Shaughnessy Shephard
skshepha@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, West Virginia University
Thesis Title: TBD
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skshepha@buffalo.edu
Justin Shinkle
jshinkle@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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jshinkle@buffalo.edu
Jitendra Singh
jsingh36@buffalo.edu
BS ’20, Biomedical Informatics, CUNY New York City College of Technology
Thesis Title: Uncovering Condensation Domain Substrate Specificity and Structural Mechanism Using Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering and Protein Crystallography
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jsingh36@buffalo.edu
Jennifer Sosa
Jsosa3@buffalo.edu
BS ’19, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo
MS '21, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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Jsosa3@buffalo.edu
Connor St. Peter
cstpeter@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Cellular Neuroscience, St. Lawrence University
Thesis Title: TBD
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cstpeter@buffalo.edu
Steven Taddei
smtaddei@buffalo.edu
BS ’21, Biology, University of Detroit Mercy
Thesis Title: TBD
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smtaddei@buffalo.edu
Shuojie Teng
shuojiet@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biology, Binghamton University
Thesis Title: TBD
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shuojiet@buffalo.edu
Alya Theriault
alyather@buffalo.edu
BS '24, Medical Biology, University of New England
MS '25, Biological Sciences, University of New England
Thesis Title: TBD
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alyather@buffalo.edu
Niall Thorns
nialltho@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Microbiology, University of Arizona
Thesis Title: TBD
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nialltho@buffalo.edu
Lucille Tomin
lucillet@buffalo.edu
BS '21, Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences, Rochester Institute of Technology
Thesis Title: Learning trustworthy pharmacokinetic representations for explainable drug-drug interaction prediction
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lucillet@buffalo.edu
Jacob Tondreau
jacobton@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mercer University
Thesis Title: TBD
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jacobton@buffalo.edu
Marissa Tripoli Balko
mptripol@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo
MS '24, Neuroscience, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: Reducing Cognitive Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis with Cognitive Training
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mptripol@buffalo.edu
Gavin Twoey
gavintwo@buffalo.edu
BS' 23, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: A Novel Hybrid Biological-Biomaterial Vector for Antigen Delivery and Human Dendritic Cell Maturation
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gavintwo@buffalo.edu
Sabrina Vaillancourt
svaillan@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biology & Psychology, University of Hartford
Thesis Title: TBD
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svaillan@buffalo.edu
Emmanuel Vargas
evargasp@buffalo.edu
BS' 22, Biology, Psychology, Gettysburg College
Thesis Title: TBD
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evargasp@buffalo.edu
Bridget Varner
bmvarner@buffalo.edu
BS '22, Biochemistry, Syracuse University
Thesis Title: TBD
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bmvarner@buffalo.edu
Maritza Ventura
mnventur@buffalo.edu
BS '23, Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo
Thesis Title: TBD
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mnventur@buffalo.edu
Maria Gabriela Yera
mariayer@buffalo.edu
BA ’20, biology, California State University, Northridge
Thesis Title: TBD
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mariayer@buffalo.edu
Mingjun Yu
myu26@buffalo.edu
Thesis Title: TBD
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myu26@buffalo.edu