Free Workshops and Exhibits

Enterprising faculty and staff members across the university have partnered with leaders from industry to share their stories of success. These 50-minute workshops provide multiple examples of how a public research university works with businesses and organizations to build a better economy. Whether it's helping to license a commercial process, turn a patent into a multi-billion dollar corporation, educate employees or improve lives, UB is your willing partner.

Attend these free workshops, ask questions and find out how you and your business / organization can benefit from partnering with UB.

Attend the Workshops

All workshops listed below will run concurrently at 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. You may freely attend any of the workshop sessions.
9:00 – 9:50 AM Workshops

  • It’s a Win-Win-Win for Buffalo (School of Architecture and Planning)

    Buffalo’s Habitat for Humanity is a win-win-win situation. In 19 years, UB students have helped build 44 homes in Western New York. Find out more about this program that invests in the region, provides hands-on experience for the students, and builds stronger relationships between the university and its community.

    Presenters:
    • Ron Talboys, president of the Buffalo Chapter, Habitat for Humanity
    • Student Participant
    • Richard Yencer, shop director/instructor, UB School of Architecture and Planning

  • Practicing Public Health in Western New York (School of Public Health and Health Professions)

    A co-partner in solving public health problems in WNY, the UB Office of Public Health Practice is a gateway between the university and public health and health care communities. It connects students and school resources with such agencies as health departments, managed care organizations and community-based organizations. Public health care practitioners cover many disciplines - epidemiology, biology, toxicology, management, medicine and education among others – and are as likely to turn up at wastewater treatment plants as boards of health. Learn more about the people, programs and partnerships who are keeping Western New York healthy.

    Presenters:
    • Representative from the WNY Public Health Alliance
    • Donald Rowe, Director, Office of Public Health Practice and Public Health Liaison, UB School of Public Health and Health Professions

  • Staying Motivated in Times of Turmoil (School of Social Work)

    Maintaining employee motivation can be challenging in the “best of times.” During times of economic turmoil, this challenge can be intensified as managers and employees alike are stretched and stressed as they attempt to cope and adapt. This interactive workshop will focus on ways to create a workplace climate that supports the ability of managers and employees, especially in times of uncertainty, to stay motivated and to nurture a spirit of resiliency and possibility.

    Presenter:
    • Linda Dinger, LCSW, adjunct instructor, UB School of Social Work

  • Innovative and Integrated Workforce Development That Works (EOC)

    Knowledge based jobs are driving our economy, quickly outstripping our capacity to prepare workers. To meet the need, UB formed the Division of Continuing and Professional Studies by integrating the Educational Opportunity Center with Millard Fillmore College. The resulting programs provide opportunity for an adult community seeking to compete in this new economy. The system has three major objectives: improved access to education, training and employment; a transition from “declining jobs” into job promotion through career ladder programs; and assistance for employers and communities who are creating jobs. Learn more about the strategies that will expand pipeline access, value industry/academic partnerships, and provide evidence of education and job training that result in sustainable employment.

    Presenter:
    • Sherryl D. Weems, Ed.D., associate vice provost continuing and professional studies and executive director, Educational Opportunity Center

  • Improving Job Retention and Networking for People with Disabilities in Today’s Market (Graduate School of Education)

    Today’s economy requires businesses to make the most of their employee talents, including those with disabilities. The Center on Rehabilitation Synergy assists business and organizations by offering training in strategic planning, performance management, succession planning, team building, supervision skills and Americans with Disabilities Act as amended 2008. It also includes soft skills training, such as facilitation skills, executive coaching and crisis management. Learn more about the local successes of these state and federally funded programs and how your company might benefit.

    Presenters:
    • Representatives from the local school districts
    • Representatives from community rehabilitation programs
    • Representatives from NYS agencies
    • David Burganowski, director, Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, UB Graduate School of Education

  • Cybersecurity Simplified: Protect Your Business (School of Management)

    Companies increasingly are faced with online threats to their business and bottom line. This session highlights the efforts of UB faculty to educate and inform managers about the importance of cybersecurity for protecting their businesses and organizations. Hear about timely cybersecurity issues and gain practical tips—presented in a simple-to-understand, non-technical format.

    Presenters:
    • Kristopher Meier,director, Information Technology, Algonquin Studios
    • David Murray,adjunct associate professor, UB School of Management

  • Looking for Early Stage R&D Federal Funding? Learn How It Works (UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach—STOR)

    The SBIR/STTR programs allow businesses with fewer than 500 employees to receive R&D Grants from the largest federal departments, including the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Transportation and Department of Agriculture. Successful applicants can receive $100,000 in phase I (6-12 months) to demonstrate feasibility, followed by from $500,000 to $1 million in phase II to develop more thoroughly a technology (advanced prototype) over a two-year period. Successful applicants need to submit strong proposal ideas involving expert teams. Subcontracting some of the work to a university expert/group to supplement a company’s in-house expertise is often a good strategy. Learn more about program opportunities and how to compete successfully.

    Presenters:
    • Jack McGowan, project manager, Insyte Consulting
    • Martin Casstevens, business formation and commercialization manager, UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR)

  • Building Better Businesses through Climate Action Plans (UB Environmental Stewardship Committee)

    Businesses and organizations of all types face the growing need for “climate action plans” to address global climate change. As a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, UB is leading the way - working with its environmental partners to meet the challenge. Find out how it’s happening and gather ideas for your company on monitoring carbon output and planning for a cleaner environment.

    Presenters:
    • Representatives, from the UB Environmental Stewardship Committee, along with planning consultants from Ecology and Environment, Inc., and carbon monitoring software vendors, Clear Standards.
    • 10:00 – 10:50 AM Workshops

  • Coming Soon to the Buffalo Harbor Near You: An Interactive Simulation Model (Phase I) (UB Center for Computational Research)

    If you build it, they will come. Or will they? Erie County is taking no chances with Buffalo’s Harbor, so UB’s Center for Computational Research is partnering with the county, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., and Bergmann Associates to develop a virtual reality-based, 3-D model for the Buffalo Harbor. See what the center has created for Phase 1 (2005-09) and better understand how simulated historic models can help shape our future on the waterfront.

    Presenters:
    • Steven P. Ranalli, P.E., senior project manager, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
    • Charles Hixon, business development leader, Virtual Design and Visualization, Bergmann Associates
    • Thomas R. Furlani, Ph.D., director, Center for Computational Research, University at Buffalo

  • Dedicated Education Unit (DEU): An Innovative Partnership for Providing Clinical Education of Student Nurses (School of Nursing)

    Based on the notion that “it takes a village to educate a nurse,” DEU provides an optimal teaching and learning environment that educates student nurses to be better prepared for the realities of their nursing careers. The UB School of Nursing has partnered with local hospital nursing management teams and clinical nursing experts to provide nursing students diverse clinical learning opportunities. The model is often referred to as a win-win-win-win model for all the partners involved in this innovative teaching/learning strategy.

    Presenters:
    • Representatives from Erie County Medical Center
    • Representatives from Kaleida Healthcare System Associates
    • Mattie L. Rhodes, Ph.D., RN, CNS, clinical associate professor, UB School of Nursing
    • Linda L. Steeg, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, clinical instructor, UB School of Nursing
    • Claire C. Meyers, RN, MSN, clinical instructor, UB School of Nursing

  • WNY: Where Have All the Graduates Gone? (UB Regional Institute, a unit of the UB Law School)

    Conventional wisdom suggests that the bi-national Buffalo-Niagara region has been experiencing a “brain drain” for some time, with skilled youth and professionals migrating out of the region, never to return. At the same time, some of the region’s largest employers lament the lack of a local workforce with the critical skill necessary to meet the evolving jobs of the future. Learn the results of a study that’s exploring the issues of mismatched supply and demand. Examine the differing perspectives, see where gaps exist, and set the stage for a “Now what?” conversation.

    Presenters:
    • Thomas A. Fentner, senior vice president, Human Resources & Administrative Services, HealthNow New York Inc., parent company of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
    • Kathryn A. Foster, director, UB Regional Institute

  • UB Partnerships To Improve Your Business Performance

    A wide range of industries, including service providers, health care, local government and manufacturing, have partnered with UB to improve overall business performance through improving processes (Lean Six Sigma), products, and innovation. A short program overview followed by a panel discussion will feature UB partners that have engaged UB’s Center for Industrial Effectiveness to improve business performance.

    Presenters:
    • Ben Kujawinski, production manager, Taylor Devices, Inc.
    • Dennis Rice, manager, Process Improvement, Dresser-Rand Co.
    • Gary Simon, business development officer, UB Center for Industrial Effectiveness

  • Joint Ventures: How Partnering with UB Can Make a Difference

    Looking for opportunities to increase your company’s visibility among UB’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the entire Buffalo-Niagara community? UB is working with area businesses in many creative and productive ways. Learn how partnering with UB can help your company reach a broad-based audience or a very specific constituent group—through event sponsorships, philanthropic partnerships, or comprehensive packages designed to enhance recruitment and marketing.

    Presenters:
    • Hear from UB representatives and corporate partners such as Bank of America and Cobham as they share information about recent, mutually beneficial success stories.

  • Boosting the Bottom Line through Higher Quality in Product and Process

    With an entertaining and humorous presentation, Peter Bush will show a variety of ways that UB’s technical expertise can resolve production, quality assurance and R&D issues for Industry. With examples, Peter will connect academic research with industry and the general public.

    Presenter:
    • Peter Bush, director, UB South Campus Instrument Center

  • Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System – a Collaborative Path to Market (UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach—STOR)

    What is involved in taking a medical device to market? Developed at UB, the Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System (HCMS) has been licensed, resulting in a partnership between UB and the companies that will market the device. HCMS development required integration of the medical device, hardware, and software components. The workshop will explore the path taken and relationships developed by UB and its industrial partners, which is one model of commercialization of cutting-edge technology.

    Presenters:
    • Donald D. Hickey, M.D., inventor and research assistant professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    • Yashaswini Patwardhan, project engineer, Ethox International, Inc.
    • Paul Buckley, President, Applied Sciences Group, Inc.
    • Jeffrey Dunbar, director, UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach

  • Investing in the New Look of Health Care in Western New York

    UB, Kaleida and New York State are investing nearly $270 million in downtown Buffalo to build a 10-story Global Vascular Institute that includes the Center for Clinical and Translational Research along with a bioscience incubator. This cooperative endeavor will improve the quality of healthcare locally, in addition to boosting economic development through the commercialization of the translational research. Find out more about this combined clinic / research facility and the opportunities it will bring to WNY.

    Presenter:
    • Dr. Michael Cain, dean, UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
    • 11:00 – 11:50 AM Workshops

  • Succeed in Business by Using Emotional Intelligence (School of Management)

    This high-level overview of emotional intelligence (EI) will help you understand yourself and motivate others. You will learn about the EI framework through a multi-media presentation and have the opportunity to test your own emotional intelligence. Participants will be given a list of resources to pursue if they are interested in learning more about the topic.

    Presenters:
    • Frank J. Krzystofiak, associate dean for executive education, UB School of Management
    • Courtney J. Walsh, assistant dean for executive education, UB School of Management

  • WNY’s Future: UB and the small business community… the entrepreneurial imperative in economic growth (School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership)

    Entrepreneurs by their very nature create: products, services and jobs. A strong small-business community is vital to the region’s long-term success. Bringing the resources of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) together with the small-business community provides opportunity for companies to obtain the tools and help they need to grow their businesses to the next level. Join us for more about CEL and its company success stories.

    Presenters:
    • Representatives from CEL Alumni companies
    • Tom Ulbrich, executive director, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

  • UB CAT: Driving Collaborations Between Industry and Academia (UB’s New York State Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences)

    The UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) - one of 15 centers across New York State - fosters creation of new life sciences companies and helps existing businesses expand through new or improved product lines. Combining the university’s R&D with funding, business development assistance, workforce development, and outreach, UB CAT collaborations improve the state’s bottom line. Meet some of the companies currently benefiting from this program.

    Presenters:
    • James C.D. Hengst, Ph.D., President and CEO, ZeptoMetrix Corporation
    • Lyn M. Dyster, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Vice President, Research Operations, Kinex Pharmaceuticals, LLC
    • Eric Cornavaca, CEO, Oral Health Innovations, LLC
    • Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., Director, Business Development, UB Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences

  • Partnering with Not-for-Profits: Social Entrepreneurship in Niagara Falls (Law School)

    UB Law’s clinical legal education courses actively partner with not-for-profit agencies throughout Western New York. The Community Economic Development Clinic and the Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic provide a variety of legal research and assistance to Carolyn’s House, a supported housing facility for homeless women and children that opened its doors in 2005 in Niagara Falls. Find out how UB Law assisted in getting this state-of-the art facility created, how we engage with the residents, and our exciting plans to revitalize the community.

    Presenters:
    • Sara Faherty, co-director, Community Economic Development Clinic
    • Kathleen Granchelli, CEO, YWCA of Niagara
    • Suzanne Tomkins, director, Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic, UB Law

  • Building Buffalo’s Future with Biomedical Engineering (School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences)

    In response to industry needs and a growing demand by students, the UB schools of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Engineering and Applied Sciences have collaborated to create a Biomedical Engineering program that will encompass both undergraduate and graduate students. Learn what’s involved, what research opportunities exist for partnerships within the region’s growing biomedical industries, and where the program is headed. Contribute your thoughts on what’s needed for a trained workforce.

    Presenters:
    • Alexander Cartwright, professor, UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
    • Albert Titus, associate professor, UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

  • Tapping into Talent: The Art of Reaching New Grads and Interns (School of Management and Career Services)

    Now more than ever, your company’s success depends on its ability to identify fresh talent. Interns and new graduates offer many benefits, including new perspectives, high energy, cutting-edge technical knowledge and an eagerness to learn. Learn what other companies have discovered and how to simplify the process of finding the best talent by working with UB’s friendly career resource professionals.

    Presenters:
    • Katherine Gracie, Staffing Specialist at Moog, Inc.
    • Mark Bruno, Market Sourcing Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
    • Representatives from UB Career Services and the School of Management Career Resource Center

  • Looking for Directed Energy to Grow Your Technical Company? (UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach—STOR)

    Directed Energy is a program to advance energy technologies in Western New York. The UB STOR-led and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority-funded initiative has six distinct programs, including direct assistance, which couples financial assistance with a customized package of business and technical resources. Direct assistance can benefit small-to-medium sized technical companies poised for growth by helping them to develop cutting-edge energy products and services.

    Presenters:
    • B. Thomas Mancuso, Mancuso Business Development Group
    • Martin Casstevens, business formation and commercialization manager, UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR)

  • View the Exhibits

    9:00 a.m.–noon

    Be sure to enjoy all the exhibits which include opportunities for you to:

    Discover the UB student connection to the Smart Car.

    Learn more about the Clinical Translational Research Center and what it means for Western New York’s economic health.

    Look what UB is doing to strengthen a relationship with our neighbor to the North. More than a billion dollars (US) in goods and services crosses the Canadian-American border every day, making our bilateral economic relationship the largest in the world.

    Find out how UB’s Arts in Healthcare program is delighting, entertaining and improving health in area hospitals.

    Sign up with UB Career Resources to put your company high on the list when looking for new employees.

    Get help with health costs, by checking out the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ exhibit: Improving Health Care Delivery While Decreasing Costs – Pharmacy Medication Management.

    Visit: City Voices City Vision – a project that builds on an effective partnership between UB and several local school districts to boost student achievement and improve employment prospects.

    Answer regional questions? Stop by to get answers from the Regional Knowledge Network, the powerful online information resource from the University at Buffalo Regional Institute. Connect to knowledge on the binational region by topic or place: customize maps and data sets, compare communities and school districts, download useful lists, plug in your home address and retrieve information on your neighborhood, and more. It’s flexible, fun, and free.

    Move your business to the next level. The UB School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership can help. Meet some of the successful entrepreneurs and their companies, graduates of the CEL program:

    • Applied Sciences Group, Inc.
    • Bear Metal Works
    • BlackDog Strategy & Brand
    • Brittany Industries Marketing Solutions
    • Dr. Phyllis Burgio
    • Dick Stein Advertising, Inc.
    • Digital Surveillance Solutions
    • ENrG, Inc.
    • FB Displays and Designs, Inc.
    • Hadley Exhibits, Inc.
    • Harbison Bros. , Inc.
    • Impressive Imprints
    • Linstar Security, Inc.
    • MidCity Office Furniture
    • Millington Lockwood Business Interiors
    • MJ Peterson/Olear Realty Group
    • Murak & Associates, LLC
    • Realty USA, Commercial Division
    • Sassy Design Group
    • TheraSyn DM, LLC