Please invite students to join the Social Work Honor Society’s Self-Love Workshop: Guided Meditation and Sound Bath on Tuesday, March 14, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:45 p.m.) in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall 307A (third floor).

Participants of Phi Alpha's Self-Love Workshop with also have access to a complimentary photo booth, snacks, and refreshments. Space is limited. Registration via Bengal Connect is encouraged. 

This event is made possible with the support of the Grant Allocation Committee.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Evolution of High-Molecular-Mass Hyaluronic Acid Is Associated with Subterranean Lifestyle,” presented by Zhizhong Zheng, postdoctoral researcher with the Gorbunova & Seluanov Laboratory at the University of Rochester, on Monday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies leading up to the seminar.

Abstract
Two phylogenetically unrelated subterranean mole rats—the Middle Eastern blind mole rat, Spalax, and the African naked mole rat—were previously discovered to produce abundant high molecular mass hyaluronic acid (HMM-HA) in their tissues. Both mole rats are uniquely adapted to life underground and display remarkable longevity and resistance to cancer. HMM-HA contributes to cancer resistance, has anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties, and may be linked to longevity displayed by both species of the mole rats; however, whether HMM-HA convergently evolves in subterranean animals is still unknown. In this study, we examined HMM-HA production and corresponding gene evolution in an evolutionary diverse group of subterranean species and phylogenetically related above ground species. We reveal that HMM-HA is accumulated in a variety of subterranean mammals and these species accumulate abundant HA in tissues, particularly skin and lung, by regulating the expression of genes involved in HA degradation and synthesis and contain unique mutations in these genes. These results suggest that HMM-HA has evolved with subterranean lifestyle. We propose that HMM-HA has evolved as an adaptation to hypoxic underground environment and to provide flexible skin needed for life in narrow underground tunnels. This adaptation was then co-opted to contribute to cancer resistance and longevity of subterranean species. As HMM-HA has multiple medical applications (anti-inflammatory, skin grafts, arthritis, beauty products, etc.), this knowledge is important for understanding HMM-HA evolution and use in humans.

Because of staffing issues, Gray Line is currently unable to offer full overnight shuttle services. It is actively working on a solution. There will be no shuttle service between 12:30 and 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, or Monday, March 13. Those requiring a walking escort on campus between 12:30 and 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, or Monday, March 13, can call University Police at (716) 878-6333 to request a walking escort. Updates will continue to be distributed as Gray Line works to resolve this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please join the Chemistry Department for the second seminar in its spring 2023 series, "Food Chemistry at the Rich Product Corporation," presented by Andrew Fendinger, principal scientist with Rich Products Corporation, on Thursday, March 9, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 176.

Global African Village, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization working to alleviate poverty that affects children, the elderly, and the sick in rural Uganda, will be in the Campbell Student Union lobby on Wednesday, April 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. looking for volunteers to help with fundraisers and increase publicity for their humanitarian work. GAV's focus is assisting the Bagishu people of eastern Uganda with four primary projects: education, health care, infrastructure improvement, and small-business development. Global African Village is also interested in partnering with student clubs who need to do service projects.

Please email the Civic and Community Engagement Office or call (716) 878-3919 with questions or comments.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Ron Brown ITEC Scholarship. This scholarship will be given to a Buffalo State student who is enrolled for the fall 2023 semester and shows promise in the use of computing and technology.

The application and information on the selection criteria for the scholarship are available through the Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS). The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 17.

Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee. The committee's decision is final, and notification will be sent to all applicants via email.

SUNY has recently notified Buffalo State University of several large video files uploaded directly to Brightspace courses. We strongly discourage storing or uploading video files directly into Brightspace for several reasons:

1. Because of file and course size limits within Brightspace, you may potentially run into problems when trying to copy your course from one semester to another in the future.
2. Buffalo State University wants to avoid possible future costs associated with having to pay for additional storage.
3. Many of the uploaded video files do not have captions associated with them and are therefore not ADA compliant.

As an alternative, we recommend storing your videos in the YuJa Video platform and then linking to those videos from within your Brightspace course.

1. Links to YuJa videos will easily copy to future semesters.
2. There are currently no limits to the size or number of video files you can store in YuJa.
3. Videos stored in your YuJa account can be auto-captioned for free in just a few clicks.

If you don’t already have a YuJa account, simply log in directly once or access the service through Brightspace. To log in through Brightspace:

1. Navigate to one of your courses.
2. Click on "Course Tools" in the navigation bar.
3. Select YuJa from the drop-down menu.

Next, upload videos to your YuJa account for linking in your Brightspace course.

Once your videos have been stored in YuJa, please be sure to delete the versions that were uploaded directly into Brightspace.

For training, please check the Workshop Registration System for available group sessions or book an individual appointment and select “YuJa Video Question” or "YuJa Video Training" from the available options.

Students, faculty, and staff members can also call YuJa Support toll-free at (888) 257-2278 or email support@yuja.com.

If you experience any problems or have any concerns, please continue to use the Media Server (Ensemble Video/YuJa) ticket.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center today, March 6, for the seminar “Polymer-Based Drug-Delivery Systems for the Targeted and Controlled Release of Cancer Drugs in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Treatment,” presented by Sandra M. Borbor-Sawyer, provost faculty fellow in SUNY Buffalo State's Biology Department, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies leading up to the seminar.

Abstract
Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents approximately 10 to 17 percent of all breast cancers. TNBC is characterized by a lack of expression of estrogen receptors (ER) or progesterone receptors (PR) or the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), all of which are essential targets for established hormonal therapies and anti-HER2 agents, making it difficult to treat. Current conventional cancer treatment methods are ineffective in treating TNBC because they lack specificity and contain poor bioavailability and low therapeutic indices. They also cause many undesirable side effects. To improve outcomes, therefore, it is essential to explore and develop targeted cancer drug-delivery systems that pass muster where current conventional TNBC treatment methods fail.

From the Associate Vice President for Administrative Services
I am pleased to announce that Kristy Mediak has accepted the role of senior director of procurement effective Monday, March 6. Mrs. Mediak has worked in SUNY business offices since 2012, including progressively responsible positions in Procurement Services and Financial Management at both Buffalo State and the University at Buffalo. Mrs. Mediak will bring a wealth of industry expertise and strategic procurement experience to her new role at Buffalo State. She holds a bachelor of science in social theory, structure, and change and a master of science certificate in public and nonprofit management, both from SUNY Empire State College.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the staff in the Procurement Services Office for their ongoing commitment to our students, faculty, and staff. I truly appreciate their hard work, dedication, and professionalism to the Buffalo State community over the past months.

Please join me in welcoming Kristy Mediak to her new role.

The Buffalo State Political Science and Public Administration Department invites any Buffalo State student who is interested in pursuing a legal career to apply for the Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program, a monthlong residential summer program designed to address the shortage of historically underrepresented students entering the field.

This award-winning immersive experience, held June 3–30 on the University at Buffalo’s North Campus, is open to undergraduate students in any major who have completed their first (freshman), sophomore, or junior year but who will not begin their senior year before the program’s end. The program is designed to expose students to critical thinking and help them develop their reading and analytical skills.

Preference will be given to students of color and first-generation college students. Applicants who can demonstrate a record of academic achievement in spite of economic challenges, social or cultural disadvantages, linguistic barriers, extraordinary family circumstances, or personal responsibilities will also be given favorable consideration.

There is no cost to attend the program, and participants receive a monetary stipend. The application deadline is Monday, March 20.

More information and application instructions are available on the Discover Law Program website. Space is limited. Apply today.

Information about the 3+3 B.A./J.D. combined pathway, a partnership with the University at Buffalo, is available on the Political Science and Public Administration website.