June 15, 2015

Albany – The State University of New York today announced the names of 66 students selected to participate in summer research internships through the SUNY Networks of Excellence. Students will conduct research alongside SUNY faculty members, gaining hands-on experience in their fields of study. The program is administered by the Research Foundation for SUNY.

“The SUNY Networks of Excellence allow us to offer students unique opportunities to be on the cutting edge of new research and innovation,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “The research these students will be a part of has the potential to transform highly-specialized fields while preparing students for college and career success. Congratulations to the talented scholars chosen to participate this year and thank you to the SUNY faculty across New York who will mentor them.”

“Working together with faculty on a research project can be a life-changing opportunity for students—opening their eyes to new fields, new ideas, and the potential for discovery,” said Alexander N. Cartwright, SUNY provost and executive vice chancellor, and interim president of the Research Foundation for SUNY. “The summer research programs offered through the networks are part of SUNY’s applied learning commitment, preparing students for success in today’s global economy.”

Students were selected for the internships based on criteria such as faculty recommendation, academic transcripts, and a personal statement of interest. Additional information about these opportunities is available online.

Brain Summer Scholars

Created by the SUNY Brain Network of Excellence, this program brings together undergraduate students who are considering a career in research and SUNY faculty and senior student mentors who are conducting research in neuroscience. Participating students are:

• Jessica Schultz, University at Albany
• Victoria Gertel. Binghamton University
• Ryan O’Rourke, Binghamton University
• Dian Lin, University at Buffalo
• Sierra Darling, SUNY Oneonta
• Christopher Bartlett, SUNY Oswego
• Juan Bastidas, Stony Brook University
• Li Chen, Stony Brook University
• Robert Hutnik, Stony Brook University
• Kyle O’Connor, Stony Brook University
• Kaliana Veros, Stony Brook University

4E Summer Scholars

Created by the SUNY 4E Network of Excellence, this program was created to attract undergraduates with aptitude in the sciences and engineering to participate in research related to energy and the environment. Participating students are:

• Dylan Gates, University at Albany
• Joanna Herrom, University at Albany
• Brian Chieu, Binghamton University
• Sebastian Howard, Binghamton University
• Brett Blizzard, University at Buffalo
• Michael Reubens, University at Buffalo
• Mark Warfel, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Donald Klaczko, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

STEM Passport Program

Funded by the SUNY Networks of Excellence, the STEM Passport Program places undergraduates in research positions on topics ranging from tracking software development and 3-D printing to forensic investigations and studying the eastern hellbender salamander. Participating students are:

• Ellen Papke, University at Albany
• Dhruv Patel, University at Albany
• Miranda Pfautsch, University at Albany
• Sheldon Reeves, University at Albany
• Nicholas Rizzo, University at Albany
• June Armond, University at Buffalo
• Sonya Bayba, University at Buffalo
• Kun Woo Chu , University at Buffalo
• Katherine Daskiewich, University at Buffalo
• Katrina Fandrich, University at Buffalo
• Walker Gosrich, University at Buffalo
• Kelly Grau, University at Buffalo
• Rebecca Kisch, University at Buffalo
• Benjamin Morrish, University at Buffalo
• Ansh Pandley, University at Buffalo
• Adrienne Schuler, University at Buffalo
• Alexander Schwartz, University at Buffalo
• Michael Swierczynski, University at Buffalo
• Laura Wengert, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Joseph Ingraffia, Farmingdale State College
• Brittany Abraham, SUNY Geneseo
• Margaret Mengucci, SUNY Geneseo
• Margaret Collins, Morrisville State College
• Jacob Keefner, Morrisville State College
• Matthew Farragher, SUNY New Paltz
• Carmina Taduran, SUNY New Paltz
• Megan Corcoran, SUNY Oneonta
• Timothy Kilmer, SUNY Oneonta
• Annie Odero, SUNY Oneonta
• Danielle Baldwin, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Casey Biederman, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Daniel Broderick, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Peng Cheng, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Oghenekovie Evi-Parker, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Ariel Ordonez, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Tyler Taverne, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Mykhaylo Yermakov, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Daniel Ziolkowski, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Liyuan Ji, SUNY Potsdam
• Alexander Adhyatman, Stony Brook University
• Marina Fandaros, Stony Brook University
• Kirill Klimov, Stony Brook University
• Joseph Muller, Stony Brook University
• Arun Nallainathan, Stony Brook University
• Bhavana Patil, Stony Brook University
• Kalie Smith, Stony Brook University
• Jackie Xie, Stony Brook University

About the SUNY Networks of Excellence The SUNY Networks of Excellence assemble scientists, scholars, and external partners from SUNY campuses to conduct collaborative research in high demand areas. The six networks are SUNY 4E (Energy, Environment, Economics and Education), SUNY Brain, SUNY Health, SUNY Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, SUNY Arts and Humanities and SUNY Teaching, Learning and Assessment.

About the State University of New York The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 460,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 college and university campuses, and online through Open SUNY. SUNY students and faculty across the state make significant contributions to research and discovery, resulting in nearly $1 billion of externally-sponsored activity each year. There are 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.

Contact: Sherman Jewett 518-320-1311 Email the Office of Communications