Dr. Craig R. Colder's research lab studies how parents influence their children's attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol use. The lab focuses on the conversations between parents and adolescents about alcohol, aiming to understand which types of discussions and styles of parenting can help reduce the risk of underage drinking. By examining these interpersonal dynamics, the lab seeks to provide insights that can improve public health messaging and interventions related to adolescent alcohol use.

Dr. Stelios T. Andreadis's lab focuses on innovative approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. They work on creating special hydrogels that help transplanted human cells survive better in a damaged brain environment. Through their research, they aim to improve cell therapies by designing better methods for delivering these cells to where they are needed most in the brain.

Rebecca Ashare's research lab focuses on understanding the effects of cannabis use among cancer patients who are undergoing immunotherapy. The lab investigates how cannabis can help alleviate symptoms like pain and anxiety, as well as any potential harms it may cause to immune function and disease progression. Their research seeks to fill gaps in knowledge about the long-term impacts of cannabis during cancer treatment and aims to improve patient care and safety.

Dr. Allison Brashear's lab at the University at Buffalo focuses on studying the genetic mutations of the ATP1A3 gene, which can cause a variety of neurological disorders. By employing a mix of patient phenotyping and laboratory testing, the lab aims to understand the symptoms related to these mutations and find potential treatments. They explore how these mutations affect cellular functions and how existing drugs can be used to alleviate symptoms, ultimately hoping to broaden diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals.

Chong Cheng's lab focuses on developing innovative drug delivery systems that are biodegradable and do not use polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can cause immune reactions. The team is creating novel zwitterionic polymer-drug conjugates (ZPDCs) that can effectively deliver multiple drugs, specifically targeting pancreatic cancer treatment. Their research combines chemistry and engineering to improve the safety and efficacy of drug therapies, contributing to better clinical outcomes for patients.

Dr. Priya R. Banerjee's lab at the State University of New York at Buffalo studies how biomolecules, such as proteins and RNAs, form liquid-like structures in cells. These structures, known as biomolecular condensates, can change their properties in response to diseases like neurodegeneration and cancer. The lab utilizes advanced microscopy techniques to investigate the material properties of these condensates and how they affect cellular functions.

Michael Buck's lab at the University of Buffalo studies how transcription factors (TFs) interact with DNA in our cells. They focus on understanding the rules that govern how these proteins bind to chromatin, which is the material that makes up our chromosomes, particularly when it is tightly packed. By exploring these interactions, the lab seeks to uncover insights into gene expression, which is crucial for normal development and understanding diseases.

Dr. Kedar Kirtikumar Aras's lab focuses on understanding how the circadian rhythms of the heart affect its susceptibility to dangerous arrhythmias, especially during certain times of the day. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind sudden cardiac arrest and explore new treatments to realign the heart's biological clock. This work combines studies on both swine models and human donor hearts, highlighting the potential for novel therapeutic strategies to manage heart health.

Dr. Derek Daniels' research lab focuses on understanding how the brain controls thirst and hunger using a specific rat model. By studying Brattleboro rats, which have a unique condition affecting their thirst but not their appetite, the lab aims to uncouple the complex neural circuits involved in feeding and drinking behaviors. This research is important for developing treatments for conditions like obesity and diabetes that arise from imbalances in energy and fluid homeostasis.

The lab led by Dr. Jonathan F. Lovell focuses on innovative approaches to tackle some of the most challenging health issues, such as tuberculosis and pancreatic cancer. Through the development of advanced vaccine technologies and light-activated drug delivery systems, the lab aims to improve treatment efficacy significantly and contribute to better patient outcomes. Students involved in this lab will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge biomedical engineering techniques and contribute to groundbreaking research in vaccine development and cancer therapies.

Dr. Philip Lazarus's lab focuses on understanding how tobacco-related chemicals contribute to lung cancer, particularly through the metabolism of specific compounds called nitrosamines. They aim to identify genetic and phenotypic markers that can help predict lung cancer risk in smokers, using diverse cohort studies. This research could lead to new prevention strategies for lung cancer, particularly for high-risk populations.

Dr. Marc W Halterman's lab focuses on the connection between the lungs and the brain during acute ischemic stroke. They study how lung injuries can affect inflammation and recovery after a stroke, aiming to discover new treatments that target lung issues to help improve brain outcomes. The research may lead to innovative therapies that could help mitigate complications related to strokes and other neurological conditions.

Dr. Paul J Meyer's lab examines how genetic factors affect drug use behaviors, particularly focusing on cocaine addiction. The lab conducts research using animal models to study the transition from casual to problematic drug use. By integrating genetic data with behavioral studies, they aim to identify specific genes linked to cocaine motivation and develop targeted treatments for substance use disorders.

Dr. Wenyao Xu's lab focuses on developing innovative mobile health (mHealth) technologies for diagnosing and monitoring hearing disorders and chronic wounds. By utilizing smartphone-based systems, the lab aims to create accessible tools that improve patient care and empower individuals to manage their health at home. Their research seeks to bridge technological advancements with real-world healthcare needs, addressing significant public health challenges.

Dr. Gabriela K. Popescu's research lab focuses on understanding how NMDA receptors function in the brain. These receptors play a crucial role in controlling communication between nerve cells, which is vital for learning and memory. By delving into the molecular details of how these receptors activate, the lab aims to discover new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, particularly for patients with specific genetic variants.

Dr. Jamie M. Ostrov's lab focuses on improving social and emotional development in preschool-aged children through innovative intervention programs. Their primary project, the Early Childhood Friendship Project, aims to reduce aggression and bullying behaviors while promoting positive interpersonal relationships in school settings. The lab conducts extensive research using various methods to understand how physiological factors influence children's behavior and emotional regulation, ultimately contributing to better school readiness and healthy development.

Dr. Jennifer P. Read's lab focuses on preventing alcohol-involved sexual assault on college campuses by utilizing friend-based interventions. The lab investigates how friends can effectively intervene and support each other in risky situations where assault may occur. Their current work tests an innovative intervention approach to foster collaborative readiness and skills for preventing assaults, aiming to enhance safety in social settings for young women.

Dr. Yijun Sun's lab focuses on understanding basal-like breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. They use advanced sequencing technologies and computational techniques to explore how this cancer progresses and to develop better prognostic tests and potential therapeutic targets. The lab aims to improve treatment options for patients and contribute to the overall knowledge of cancer biology.

Dr. Zhen Yan's lab focuses on understanding neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. They explore the role of epigenetics—how genes are regulated—using advanced models such as genetically modified mice and human stem cells. The goal is to develop new treatments targeting the molecular and cellular changes that occur in these conditions, with the hope of improving cognitive and social functions in affected individuals.

Dr. Larry Hawk's lab studies nicotine addiction and the effectiveness of smoking cessation methods, particularly focusing on electronic nicotine delivery systems like e-cigarettes. The team investigates how withdrawal symptoms differ between users of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, aiming to improve treatment strategies for tobacco dependence. They also explore remote clinical trial methods to enhance efficiency and inclusivity in research.