SoTL Talk is a new initiative showcasing research conducted by SUNY Buffalo State faculty members in a dynamic, intimate environment. Please join us for the inaugural talk on Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Flexible Theatre of the Donald Savage Building.

Come and listen. Come and share. Come and learn. This is "research worth knowing!" Sponsored by the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Office, the event will feature three SoTL fellows: Cyndi Burnett, assistant professor of creative studies; Hibajene Shandomo, associate professor of elementary education and reading; and Jevon Hunter, assistant professor of elementary education and reading.

Faculty, students, and community members are invited to attend. This is a Year of the Teacher event. Download the flier (PDF).

This year’s Spring Forum, sponsored by the Research and Creativity Council, will be held on Friday, April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in E. H. Butler Library 210. This year's theme is "Digging for Funding: Finding Fertile Ground." Taking a slightly different approach from previous years, the event will feature a panel discussion during the first hour. Faculty and staff members who have received funding in various ways will discuss their experiences with subcontracting, traditional grant funding, larger scale research grants, and partnering with other higher education institutions. The panel will be followed by roundtables facilitated by successful faculty members who will discuss their own funding, highlighting a variety of sources. RSVP for the Spring Forum on the Sponsored Programs website.

The Information Technology Exchange Center (ITEC) Selection Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 Ron Brown ITEC Scholarship:

Jon Battison, Electrical  Engineering Technology
Casey Bigler, Interior Design
Kelly Donovan, Fine Arts
Nicholas Maund, Computer Information Systems
Brian Torsey, Physics
Chad Walker, Electrical Engineering Technology

The staff of ITEC established a scholarship in 2004. Upon the retirement of our CIO, Ron Brown, the scholarship was renamed the Ron Brown ITEC Scholarship to honor his contributions to Buffalo State and SUNY. Since the scholarship was established, a total of $35,400 has been awarded to 40 students representing a wide range of majors.

Congratulations to the winners!

Hanbin Mao, associate professor of chemistry at Kent State University, will present his research talk "Lab-in-a-Trap Microanalysis" on Thursday, April 3, at 12:30 p.m. in Science Building 272. Before his talk, he will meet with Buffalo State students in Science and Math Complex 201 from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. The abstract of his talk appears below.

This seminar series is sponsored by the Auxiliary Services Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
By placing optical tweezers on a microfluidic chip, we developed a new microanalysis, Lab-in-a-Trap. In this method, objects with femtoliter volume are trapped by laser foci. Chemical and biochemical reactions are carried out inside this femtoreactor. Compared with regular lab-on-a-chip approaches, this method provides even smaller volume, which facilitates mixing of different components. Three examples will be discussed in this presentation. First, we investigated phase transitions of thermoresponsive macromolecules, PNIPAM. We also studied the physiologically relevant fusion process between two lipid droplets. Finally, we introduced a bead-on-a-tip temperature-control module to facilitate the investigation of kinetic and thermodynamic events in small volumes.

Note: This presentation, originally scheduled for March 13, was postponed because of possible inclement weather.

Hanbin Mao, associate professor of chemistry at Kent State University, will present his research talk "Lab-in-a-Trap Microanalysis" on Thursday, April 3, at 12:30 p.m. in Science Building 272. Before his talk, he will meet with Buffalo State students in Science and Math Complex 201 from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. The abstract of his talk appears below.

This seminar series is sponsored by the Auxiliary Services Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
By placing optical tweezers on a microfluidic chip, we developed a new microanalysis, Lab-in-a-Trap. In this method, objects with femtoliter volume are trapped by laser foci. Chemical and biochemical reactions are carried out inside this femtoreactor. Compared with regular lab-on-a-chip approaches, this method provides even smaller volume, which facilitates mixing of different components. Three examples will be discussed in this presentation. First, we investigated phase transitions of thermoresponsive macromolecules, PNIPAM. We also studied the physiologically relevant fusion process between two lipid droplets. Finally, we introduced a bead-on-a-tip temperature-control module to facilitate the investigation of kinetic and thermodynamic events in small volumes.

Note: This presentation, originally scheduled for March 13, was postponed because of possible inclement weather.

Lecture-discussion: My Appreciation of Watercolor: A Personal View – History through Monochrome by Caitlin Cass will be held Friday, March 14, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney conference room. This event is part of the International Center for Watercolor Lunchtime Lecture Series.

Caitlin Cass, a Buffalo artist and art educator, will discuss her love for monochromatic watercolor and how she layers color to create comic folktales about Western history. Free with gallery admission. Enjoy lunch at the Burchfield Café before the lecture.

More information is available at www.burchfieldpenney.org.

Calling all students. You are invited to a presentation by representatives from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) today, March 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. Buffalo State has long partnered with the NFTA to provide low-cost metro passes to all undergraduate students. At this presentation, the NFTA will discuss the overall bus and rail access afforded to CRAM pass holders, the many additional benefits available to our students, the environmental benefit of this partnership, and more. Reserve your space by calling 878-4311 or e-mailing vpfm@buffalostate.edu. This presentation is sponsored by the Buffalo State Parking and Transportation Committee.

Calling all students! You are invited to a presentation by representatives from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) on Wednesday, March 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. Buffalo State has long partnered with the NFTA to provide low-cost metro passes to all undergraduate students. At this presentation, the NFTA will discuss the overall bus and rail access afforded to CRAM pass holders, the many additional benefits available to our students, the environmental benefit of this partnership, and more. Reserve your space by calling 878-4311 or e-mailing vpfm@buffalostate.edu. This presentation is sponsored by the Buffalo State Parking and Transportation Committee.

E. H. Butler Library is celebrating the Year of the Teacher with an exhibit that highlights the history of education and teacher training at Buffalo State. The exhibition traces the timeline of the college from its early days as a teachers college to today, honors female educators throughout history, and shows the evolution of educational theory through texts. The exhibit can be viewed in the main lobby, directly inside the front entrance, during regular library hours.

On CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, we learned that the criteria for a blizzard in Buffalo are different from those for a blizzard anywhere else. This statement is untrue. CNN never did define the threshold for a "Buffalo Blizzard." So for the fun of it (and weather-related prizes), we want you to come up with our own definition of a "Buffalo Blizzard." Let your imagination run loose. A sample submission: “A Buffalo Blizzard is defined as conditions so bad that beer delivery drones are required.” The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 7. Please e-mail your entries to Stephen Vermette, professor of geography and planning. Entries will be posted on the Geography and Planning Department's weather page. Sponsored by the Geography and Planning Department and the Arthur W. Gielow Meteorology Fund.