Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Fatty Acid: Markers as Food Web Tracers in Inland Waters," presented by Olesia N. Makhutova, research scientist with the Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State University, on Monday, February 12, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Ecosystem functioning is based on fluxes of matter and energy in food webs. There are a number of methods for untangling food web interactions in aquatic ecosystems. In recent decades, fatty acids (FAs) have been widely used as food web tracers in aquatic ecosystems. Based on FAs, feeding spectra of many consumers have been specified. FA-marker analyses also contribute to differentiating between allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter inputs to food webs of inland water ecosystems. In this lecture, Dr. Makhutova will describe FAs and their use as food web markers in aquatic ecosystems and describe the identifying characteristics of FAs in the main taxonomic groups of organisms inhabiting freshwater ecosystems (bacteria, algae and other photosynthetic eukaryotes, non-photosynthetic eukaryotes).

Representatives from Hearts and Hands will be on campus on Tuesday, March 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Established in 2003 as a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, Hearts and Hands facilitates connections between compassionate, dependable volunteers and older community members who require essential services such as transportation, in-home assistance, and companionship, ensuring that these individuals can maintain their independence. Volunteers offer various services aimed at preserving the dignity of care recipients, enhancing their quality of life, enabling them to remain in their preferred residence, and supporting their caregivers. What sets volunteering with Hearts and Hands apart from other organizations is the flexibility it offers. You can design your own schedule, select the requests that align with your interests, and receive comprehensive training. Additionally, the agency provides supplementary insurance coverage and reimbursement for mileage.

Please contact the Civic and Community Engagement Office, (716) 878-3919, with questions.

Big Big Table will be on campus Wednesday, February 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Big Big Table Community CafĂ© is a lunchtime restaurant open to everybody! It is focused on serving delicious, nutritious, meals while at the same time championing healthful, local food options, addressing food insecurity, reducing food waste, and supporting community.

At a traditional restaurant, guests are asked to exchange money for their meals. At Big Big Table, guests are invited to exchange money, time, or groceries in exchange for their meals. Their pay-as-you-can model strives to promote healthy individuals and communities.

Would you like to help at the café? At Big Big Table, volunteers make all the difference! There are lots of ways to help daily, such as sweeping floors, washing dishes, chopping vegetables, or picking up a food donation for the café. Volunteers can sign up for one-time opportunities or choose to get involved on a regular weekly or monthly basis.

Please contact the Civic and Community Engagement Office, (716) 878-3919, with questions.

Please join us for "Data Science Meets Diagnostics: Exploring the Computational Pathology Landscape," a presentation by Phillip Galbo, director of computational pathology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, on Tuesday, February 13, from 5:55 to 7:05 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. This talk is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Spring 2024 Series.

Dr. Galbo will provide an overview of the Computational Pathology Department at Roswell Park's mission and role in revolutionizing pathology:

• Highlighting ongoing projects in algorithm development, image analysis, and diagnostic prediction. 
• Illustrating how computational tools are seamlessly integrated into diagnostic routines. 
• Showcasing collaborative efforts with academic and industry partners for groundbreaking research. 

Dr. Galbo holds a Ph.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, specializing in cancer bioinformatics. During his academic tenure, his research leveraged next-generation sequencing datasets to uncover and validate novel tumor-microenvironment interactions linked to cancer immune cell evasion, invasion, and plasticity. Before this, Dr. Galbo contributed to research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he delved into the underlying epigenetic mechanisms associated with metastasis and immunotherapy resistance in prostate cancer. Currently serving as the director of computational pathology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Galbo is dedicated to advancing diagnostic capabilities and liquid biopsy development through algorithmic innovation. data justice. His interdisciplinary work spans environmental health, social science, and critical theory.

Buffalo State students are invited to participate in a symposium and training series related to clean energy as part of a successful grant received by the Center for Integrated Studies in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CISNN), "Empowering Clean Futures: A Symposium and Training Series on Next-Generation Clean Technologies and Research Methodologies," funded by the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation. The project investigators are Saquib Ahmed, assistant professor of engineering technology and CISNN founder and director; Sourav Biswas, assistant professor of chemistry and CISNN associate director of catalysis and nanomaterials; and Joaquin Carbonara, professor of mathematics and CISNN associate director of data science.  

The symposium and training series will explore next-generation solar technologies, showcasing fundamental research methods in computational, machine learning, and experimental arenas, along with in-depth context and details from industry and policy makers. Conjointly, students will gain experience developing their own research plan, evaluating data, and contributing the dissemination of their research in scientific meetings. These opportunities are intended to prepare students for prospective positions and further study in graduate school as well as for professional careers in clean energy-related industries.

Interested students must sign up to participate. One hundred students will be selected to receive an award of $150, while other students will still be allowed to participate without the award. Students are expected to attend a daylong (10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) symposium on a Saturday to be announced this semester (spring 2024). They are also expected to attend training sessions (chemistry lab, data science lab, engineering technology lab) that will occur on various days throughout the spring semester (days and times TBA). Following completion of the symposium and training, students will be expected to write a one-page report. Additionally, students will collaborate on Discord, where various documents will be shared, and students will stay connected to network during their career development.

Interested students should email Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Carbonara, or Dr. Biswas to sign up or for more information about the application process or the symposium and training series.

The Undergraduate Research Small Grants Program provides up to $400 to assist undergraduate students in carrying out a research, scholarly, or creative activity during the academic year (up to $600 may be requested for a single project that involves two or more students). Funding is intended to help defray the cost of supplies and other materials necessary to conduct the project. Award recipients will be required to participate in the 26th annual Buffalo State Student Research and Creativity Conference to be held Friday, May 3, with abstracts due by Wednesday, March 20. The spring semester application deadline for submission of the student portion is Wednesday, February 21; required faculty mentor approval is due by Friday, February 23. For more details and the online application portal, please visit the Small Grants Program web page on the Undergraduate Research website.

Find your tribe: Join the Cultural Compass! Discover your strengths, build resilience, and create lasting connections. This group is about finding your voice, celebrating and sharing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) experiences, and navigating college life while embracing who you are! Join the journey and find your place on campus. Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. First meeting February 15.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
Following his appointment as special advisor to the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, Senator Scott Goodman has resigned from the College Senate.

According to the Bylaws of the College Faculty, the replacement of an at-large senator is "of the kind used to elect the senator." Since the vacancy is an "academic only" at-large senator, the Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee will hold an election to fill the remainder of his term, through May 2024.

Eligible members of the full-time faculty who are not currently serving on the Senate and who did not serve on the Senate in 2022-2023 may nominate themselves to serve the remainder of this term by sending an email expressing interest to the College Senate between 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, and 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 9.

Elections for this position will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, February 12, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, February 16.

Campaigning
The College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee strongly discourages using college email services for campaigning. Please limit campaigning to the candidate statement posted on the College Senate website (available to the university community on Monday, February 12).

For further information about this position, please email Kristen Mruk, special assistant to the provost and senate. We look forward to your participation in this vital process of campus-shared governance.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
Following his appointment as special advisor to the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, Senator Scott Goodman has resigned from the College Senate.

According to the Bylaws of the College Faculty, the replacement of an at-large senator is "of the kind used to elect the senator." Since the vacancy is an "academic only" at-large senator, the Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee will hold an election to fill the remainder of his term, through May 2024.

Eligible members of the full-time faculty who are not currently serving on the Senate and who did not serve on the Senate in 2022-2023 may nominate themselves to serve the remainder of this term by sending an email expressing interest to the College Senate between 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, and 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 9.

Elections for this position will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, February 12, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, February 16.

Campaigning
The College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee strongly discourages using college email services for campaigning. Please limit campaigning to the candidate statement posted on the College Senate website (available to the university community on Monday, February 12).

For further information about this position, please email Kristen Mruk, special assistant to the provost and senate. We look forward to your participation in this vital process of campus-shared governance.

Join the Newman Center every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for a free home-cooked dinner and game night. Bring your friends and meet some new ones.

The Newman Center is located at 1219 Elmwood Avenue, across the street from the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Please call (716) 882-1080 or email the Newman Center website for more information.

Newman Center at SUNY Buffalo State
Catholic Campus Ministry