Join Bengals & Bikes on Saturday, April 15, for a group ride to Lloyd Taco Factory on Hertel Avenue. We will meet at 4:00 p.m. at the Rockwell Hall bus stop and a ride as a group, mostly on bike paths and side streets. The ride is open to all members of the Buffalo State campus community. If you do not own a bike, consider registering for Reddy Bikeshare. Their bikes are available around the city and have lights, locks, and power assist. Please contact Eric "Luke" Krieg in the Sociology Department with questions.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Why Diversity Matters in Neuropsychiatric Genetics," presented by Jamal Williams, an assistant professor focusing on psychiatric genetics in the University at Buffalo's Department of Psychiatry, today, April 17, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Dr. Williams is an alumnus of Buffalo State, where he obtained his M.A. in biology in 2017. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in neuroscience from UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2022 and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Los Angeles in 2023. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar begins.

Abstract
As the advancement of computational tools and our ability to more precisely understand disease-specific variation continues to grow, we are still extremely hindered by ancestrally homogenous datasets. For example, studies have shown that when using disease variants from one ancestral population to infer risk in a different ancestral population, predictive power is reduced by at least five standard deviations. Unfortunately this is also true when examining polygenic risk in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Williams will discuss the impact of lacking ancestral diversity of genetic studies and the compounding disparities that are bound to exist as the precision medicine revolution takes off.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Why Diversity Matters in Neuropsychiatric Genetics," presented by Jamal Williams, an assistant professor focusing on psychiatric genetics in the University at Buffalo's Department of Psychiatry, on Monday, April 17, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Dr. Williams is an alumnus of Buffalo State, where he obtained his M.A. in biology in 2017. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in neuroscience from UB's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2022 and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Los Angeles in 2023. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar begins.

Abstract
As the advancement of computational tools and our ability to more precisely understand disease-specific variation continues to grow, we are still extremely hindered by ancestrally homogenous datasets. For example, studies have shown that when using disease variants from one ancestral population to infer risk in a different ancestral population, predictive power is reduced by at least five standard deviations. Unfortunately this is also true when examining polygenic risk in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Williams will discuss the impact of lacking ancestral diversity of genetic studies and the compounding disparities that are bound to exist as the precision medicine revolution takes off.

Have you thought about applying for service-learning course designation but don’t know where to start? Please join us on Wednesday, April 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 in Butler Library 318 when Alice Villaseńor, associate director of civic and community engagement, will provide an overview of the service-learning designation process. As there will be plenty of time for discussion and questions about particular courses, we recommend that faculty members each bring a draft syllabus of a course they are considering designating for fall 2023 or later. After the session overview, faculty members will be invited to book a one-on-one meeting with the Civic and Community Engagement Office to talk more about their individual course applications.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

The New York State Office of Mental Health is looking for New York State residents interested in becoming trained Sawubona Healing Circle facilitators. Free training is available for individuals who identify with lived Black experiences.

Sawubona Healing Circles is a national program of the Association of Black Psychologists. Sawubona is a Zulu word that means “I see you.” Sawubona Healing Circles are a culturally grounded rapid response intervention model designed to provide coping and wellness strategies in an affirming space for Black people experiencing race-related stress and trauma.

The Black-led healing circles, which are non-clinical, provide culturally relevant ways for people to express thoughts, feelings, and stories in a healing way. Culturally grounded in African-centered practices, the model helps address racial and other forms of trauma in communities of color. Circles are held weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and every fourth Sunday of the month.

This is a perfect opportunity for volunteers, retirees, students, advocates, and mental health service providers interested in supporting resilience in the Black community. If you are interested in this free training opportunity, please visit the Association of Black Psychologists website to answer a few brief questions and to learn more and apply.

If you have any difficulties with your registration, please email virtualhealingcircles@gmail.com.

Registration is now open for the 2023 J. P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Thursday, June 15, in Delaware Park. The 3.5-mile race starts at 6:25 p.m. Please register online for the Buffalo State University team. The registration fee is $38 per person.

We thank the President's Office, the Provost's Office, and United University Professions for their sponsorship of this annual event. Please encourage colleagues to register. The Corporate Challenge is a great time to connect with colleagues and community partners. The registration fee includes the hospitality tent, a team T-shirt, and much more.

More information is available on the J. P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge website.

Please join us for “Nanotechnology Realized through an Integrated Lens: Science, Society, and the Future,” presented by Saquib Ahmed, assistant professor of engineering technology and founding director of the Center for Integrated Studies in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, on Tuesday, April 25, at 12:15 p.m. in Technology Building 160.

This introductory presentation is a must-see for anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in emerging technologies. Using next-generation photovoltaics as an example, Dr. Ahmed will illustrate the benefits of interdisciplinary research collaboration across diverse fields, from science and engineering to economics, ethics, and law.  

Dr. Ahmed will also discuss data analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, and how these game-changing tools can lead to accelerated research discoveries. He will highlight the potential of these technologies and how they’re reshaping the future. 

Finally, Dr. Ahmed will showcase major success stories concerning Buffalo State students who have already made their mark in this exciting field.

Please join us for the third and final workshop in our Faculty Scholarship Series, “Playing the Open Access ‘Mind’ Field: Dodging Predatory Journals and Article Processing Charges,” presented by Joseph Riggie, head of information management, and Chris Hulsman, electronic and educational resources librarian, on Tuesday, April 11, at 12:15 p.m. in Butler Library 318 or online.

This workshop addresses the open access publishing landscape. Publishing open access has become ubiquitous in academia and will continue to grow, as any federally funded study must be open access (OA) when published starting in 2026. Many obstacles and concerns surround open access publishing, especially predatory journals and avoiding the escalating costs of article processing charges (APCs). We will discuss strategies to avoid predatory publishers and dodge APCs in the open access realm. We will also discuss recent agreements that may waive OA publishing APCs for Buffalo State faculty now and in the future for some publishers.

If you cannot attend in person, you can join us live virtually.

Please register via the Workshop Registration System to attend in person or online via Microsoft Teams. The Faculty Scholarship Series is sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center and E. H. Butler Library.

Buffalo State has several exciting events planned to celebrate LGBTQ+ members our campus community!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

Pride at Work: Tools for an LGBTQIA+ Job Search
Noon
Virtual Presentation 
Learn about job-search resources and about the policies that are in place to support you in your career. Visit BengalConnect for the workshop link and more information.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 13

Bengal LGBTQ+ Ally Mixer
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Fireside Lounge
Meet campus allies and learn about campus and community resources.

Out in Faith Panel
4:30 p.m.
Ketchum Hall 200 
A panel discussion on the intersection of LGBTQ+ identities, spirituality, faith, and connecting with faith communities.

Beyond Boundaries Film and Discussion: ‘Changing the Game’ (2019)
7:00 p.m.
Burchfield Penney Art Center Tower Auditorium
Directed by Michael Barnett, the film takes us into the lives of three high school athletes—all at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and unique paths as transgender teens. Their stories span the U.S., from Sarah, a skier and teen policymaker in New Hampshire; to Andraya, a track star in Connecticut openly transitioning into her authentic self; to Mack Beggs, who made headlines last year when he became the Texas state champion in wrestling.

The screening is free and open to the public and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring coaches, experts on the subject, and local trans athletes.

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Please contact Dr. Charlene Vetter, clinical manager of the Weigel Health Center, with questions.