Jennifer Surtees is Associate Professor of Biochemistry. The Surtees lab explores mechanisms of genome stability, the many and varied pathways that protect the integrity of genomes. Surtees believes that scientists have a responsibility to communicate clearly with the public as discoveries push the boundaries of knowledge and technology in biology. An informed public is better able to support science and benefit from it. She serves as co-director of the Genome, Environment and Microbiome (GEM) Community of Excellence at UB, which advances understanding of the genome and microbiome and their interaction with the environment through research, education, community programs and art.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Surtees has worked with UB colleagues and a number of COVID-19 testing partners to conduct genomic sequencing of virus samples in Western New York. These efforts have aided the region’s COVID-19 response, identifying the arrival of new variants and helping the community understand how SARS-CoV2 infections are changing locally as the virus evolves. She also collaborated with faculty students and staff to develop K-12 “Covid Chats” and vaccine information for all ages.