Esther S. Takeuchi, Greatbatch Professor in Power Sources Research at the University at Buffalo, has been selected as a 2008 recipient of an Astellas USA Foundation Award, administered by the American Chemical Society. The award carries a $30,000 prize and an invitation to deliver an address as part of a half-day symposium during the 236th ACS National Meeting to be held in Philadelphia in August. Read more.
Four University at Buffalo faculty members were honored for their research and scholarship at the SUNY Research Foundation’s annual awards dinner held recently in Albany. The UB honorees are Robert J. Genco, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the departments of Oral Biology, and Microbiology; Andre Filiatrault, professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, and director of the Structural Earthquake Engineering Simulation Laboratory; Gilberto Mosqueda, assistant professor, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering; and Doreen Wackeroth, associate professor in the Department of Physics.
Genco received a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Filiatrault received an Outstanding Researcher/Scholar Award. Mosqueda and Wackeroth received a Rising Star Award from the Research Foundation. Read more.
A UB undergraduate was awarded the Morris K. Udall Scholarship for their third consecutive year, highlighting a string of UB students selected to receive prestigious national competitive fellowship and scholarship awards in recent weeks.
Aaron Krolikowski, a junior double majoring in political science and social sciences interdisciplinary - environmental studies, was selected as a Udall Scholar based on his commitment to a career in the environment, his leadership potential, and academic achievement. Krolikowski was also a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, UB’s first since 1992.
Junior aerospace and mechanical engineering major Bradley Cheetham was named a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipient, with junior chemistry major Sabrina Peczonczyk and junior chemical and biological engineering major Jacob Weiner earning honorable mention. The Goldwater scholarship is awarded to students who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.
Seniors Kelly Miller and Stacey Pustulka were named fellows in the 2008 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship competition. The awards support highly qualified students pursuing graduate study leading to research-based advanced degrees in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Miller, a 2007 Udall Scholar, is majoring in environmental engineering; Pustulka is majoring in chemical and biological engineering.
From designing safer intersections to helping accident victims overcome their fears, a new driving simulation laboratory is open for business in the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The state-of-the-art facility will be available for use by students, faculty and industry to conduct research on automotive and flight vehicles, driver behavior, acclimation of accident victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and even supplemental training of young drivers. Funded by a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the simulator also has made it possible for UB to offer for the first time a unique course on road-vehicle dynamics. The course has generated so much enthusiasm on campus that a second semester is being taught this spring and the course will be offered again next fall. Read on.
The Buffalo News recently produced a video feature on the unique, hands-on learning experience offered by UB’s School of Architecture and Planning. Have a look.
The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo has been awarded a grant by the John R. Oishei Foundation to bring the performing arts into health-care settings to enhance the healing environment for patients and caregivers. The center’s innovative Arts in Healthcare initiative is the first of its kind in Western New York and is being established in collaboration with Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Studies have shown that integrating the arts in health-care settings helps to cultivate a healing environment, supports the mental and emotional recovery of patients, improves communication, and fosters positive working conditions for caregivers. Read more.
The dramatic story of how great minds of science and industry harnessed the Niagara River to produce electricity over a century ago earned its authors high honors. “The Power Trail: History of Hydroelectricity at Niagara,” written by UB professor of architecture Lynda Schneekloth and three of her former students, received the Merit Award of Achievement from the New York State Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The book, published in September 2006, explores the innovations, conflicts and tragedies that arose from the struggle between those with visions of the endless generation of power and those who sought to preserve the landscape of Niagara Falls. Read more.
An anti-cancer drug developed by a UB faculty researcher and Kinex Pharmaceuticals has begun clinical testing with patients. The drug was created from the work of David Hangauer, UB associate professor of chemistry, who developed a compound that targets a protein linked to the survival of cancer cells. “We have the first success to come from this approach,” said Hangauer, who also serves as Kinex senior vice president of research and development. “Our drug compound has been shown to be active against all cancers.” Read more.
George C. Lee, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the University at Buffalo Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, was one of 11 individuals honored by the White House with a 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. The award, administered by the National Science Foundation, honors those committed to mentoring students and boosting the participation of minorities, women and disabled students in science, mathematics and engineering. Read more.
Environmentally conscious undergraduates from the University at Buffalo are partnering with Erie County on a program that aims to reduce diesel emissions in school buses. The Erie County Clean School Bus Initiative plans to use data collected by members of the UB chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World to educate school administrators, faculty, parents and students about the issue while convincing them of the need for equipment that would decrease the stream of harmful fumes. Read more.
