Please join the Biology Department, the Great Lakes Center, and the Great Lakes ecosystem science program for the seminar "Harnessing Yeast Genetics for Understanding G-protein-Coupled Receptor Function and for HIV Vaccine Development," presented by Mark E. Dumont, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Rochester, on Monday, November 20, from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center West. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Abstract
This seminar will focus on two projects that are ongoing in our laboratory:

1.  Mechanisms of Signal Transduction by G-protein-Couple Receptors (GPCRs). The large superfamily of G-protein-couple receptors is responsible for responses to diverse physical and chemical stimuli, including sensory stimuli, hormones, and neurotransmitters. These receptors also are targets of a large fraction of all clinically useful drugs; however, many aspects of GPCR signaling remain poorly understood. Our laboratory is investigating signaling by the GPCRs mediating responses to mating pheromone by baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system for understanding GPCR signaling. Since GPCRs generally exist as oligomers, we combine fluorescence-based approaches for detecting receptor-receptor interactions with quantitative measurements of signaling responses by normal and mutant receptors to understand the roles of receptor-receptor interactions in regulation of responses to pheromone binding.
2. Isolation of Variant Forms of HIV Envelope Protein for Use in HIV Vaccine Development. Approximately 20 percent of HIV-infected individuals slowly develop neutralizing antibody responses that are capable of protecting against HIV infection; however, to date, only modest success has been achieved in developing a vaccine capable of eliciting a useful neutralizing antibody response. Part of the reason for this appears to be poor binding of HIV envelope protein to the antibody precursors that is necessary to trigger development of an immune response. To overcome this problem, we have conducted large-scale random mutagenesis of the envelope protein displayed on the surface of yeast cells and isolated variant forms of the envelope protein with enhanced affinity for relevant antibody precursors.

"In mid-2017, a spam list of over 105 million individuals in corporate America was discovered online. Referred to as 'B2B USA Businesses,' the list categorized email addresses by employer, providing information on individuals’ job titles plus their work phone numbers and physical addresses." Read more about spam lists in haveIbeenpwned.

Each week we receive e-mail from haveIbeenpwned. The e-mail contains lists of e-mail addresses that are from @buffalostate.edu. Go to haveIbeenpwned. Type in, one at a time, every e-mail address you own. If it comes out on a report, change your password for that account. This week’s report shows Buffalo State domains exposed in a PoliceOne hack and B2B USA Businesses. Go to haveibeenpwned and read about what these breaches entail.

Since fall 2016, all reports to the College Senate have been posted on the College Senate website. The most recent reports are from the November 10, 2017, Senate meeting.

Podcasts are now the official audio record of each College Senate meeting. If you missed a Senate meeting and want to catch up, podcasts are posted to the Senate's podcast web page. Senate meeting summaries are also posted to the website after they are presented to the Senate.

The third annual Fostering Innovation in Teaching with Technology (FITT) Academy will be held June 4–8, 2018, and the call for project proposals is now open. The FITT Academy is a hands-on project-specific faculty development opportunity sponsored by Resources for Information, Technology, and Education (RITE).

Project proposals should be submitted by Sunday, February 11, 2018, and will be reviewed by the FITT Academy Committee, which includes RITE staff members and previous FITT scholars. Applicants will be notified of accepted project proposals by early March.

Students, it's time to begin preparing for finals! Stop by Butler Library 208 today, November 15, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. to get tips on preparing for your finals. Lauren Copeland, coordinator of tutoring services, will facilitate this fun and educational workshop. It is best to register for this workshop online through the library web site.

Applications for IPDS-Zambia are due Friday, November 17. Teacher education candidates should download and complete the application (PDF, 184 KB) and submit it to Tamara Horstman-Riphahn in Bacon Hall 306. Visit the IPDS Zambia website for program details, links to past participant blogs, and eligibility requirements.

Through the School of Education's International Professional Development Schools (IPDS) consortium, teacher education candidates globalize their understanding and experience of education by traveling abroad to participate in field experiences in local schools and engage in cultural activities. IPDS-Zambia participants will enroll in a pre-travel course for the spring semester 2018 and travel to Zambia in May and June 2018.

Please e-mail one of the following people for more information:

Hibajene Shandomo, associate professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Wendy McLeish, lecturer, Elementary Education and Reading
Tamara Horstman-Riphahn, executive assistant to the dean, School of Education

Campus departments and offices are invited to add fliers and other information about their areas to the new student and parent welcome bags that will be distributed during January Orientation sessions.

Please indicate if your materials are for first-year (freshman), transfer, or parent bags (or any combination). The following quantities are needed: first-year (50), transfer (250), and parents (50).

Please submit materials to New Student and Family Programs, Porter Hall 14K, by Tuesday, December 5.

Please contact the New Student and Family Programs Office, 878-5336, with questions.

The Research and Creativity Council Incentive Program is accepting applications until 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, for funds to promote faculty research, scholarly, and creative activities. Please submit completed applications to the Sponsored Programs Office in Buckham Hall B206. Three council members have been appointed to review all applications received by the above deadline.

Incentive funds administered by the Research and Creativity Council are intended to promote faculty research, scholarly, and creative activities. Their ultimate goal is to generate additional funded programs. At the end of the award period, recipients are required to submit a report documenting the use of the funds. They are then required to submit a grant proposal within the following year to an outside sponsoring agency through the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office. Submitting a proposal through the Buffalo State College Foundation does not meet this requirement. Recipients are also obligated to participate in the Faculty and Staff Fall Forum, which takes place in October.

Expenditures considered for support under this program include travel to consult with a funding source or program officer, or to a workshop sponsored by a potential sponsor; student assistance; consultation with specialists in the field; preparation of specialized support materials for proposals (e.g., graphs, drawings, resource books); release time; and any other expense that can be justified. Funds may not be requested for the purchase of computers, laptops, etc. Also, it is not the council’s intention to directly pay an individual for writing a proposal. Please contact Jessica Berg, interim director of pre-award and contract services, with questions regarding the incentive application.

After their hugely successful collaboration at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in May, Lehrer Dance and the Buffalo Chamber Players will deliver "Obsession," an original and breathtaking performance, on Friday, November 17, at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Peter and Elizabeth C. Auditorium.

This unique and vibrant performance will give audiences an intimate look into the company’s world-renowned repertoire and innovative style. Live music and dance will surround the audience as the company performs to Vivaldi, Bach, and more. See Lehrer Dance in their final 2017 Buffalo performance before they embark on their nine-week European tour.

Tickets are $10 for Burchfield Penney members and $20 for not-yet members. Please call 878-6011 for advance tickets during gallery hours.

More information is available on Facebook.

Applications are invited for the Early Undergraduate Research Opportunity (EURO) Program. The program provides Buffalo State students with an early undergraduate research, scholarly, or creative experience by serving as an assistant. Recruited students support more advanced students (undergraduate and graduate) or a faculty member's research, scholarly, or creative activities. The program strives to broaden participation and support the college's efforts to engage early-career students and increase retention, especially of those who have demonstrated strong performance in their coursework at Buffalo State. Support for the student is limited to $1,000 (based on 100 hours at $10/hour) with an additional $200 per student available to support supplies for the student assistant's project. Faculty members from all academic programs are encouraged to apply.

More information, including the application and examples of activities that could be supported through the EURO program, is available on the Undergraduate Research website.

Application review will begin Monday, January 8, 2018; applications will be accepted until all available funding is allocated.