The Arthur A. Schomburg (Schomburg) Fellowship is a graduate fellowship program for eligible underrepresented students who will pursue graduate study on a full-time basis at the University at Buffalo.
The Schomburg Fellowship Program is intended to support high achieving doctoral and professional students in pursuit of terminal degrees. Only in exceptional cases may master’s students who meet all eligibility requirements for this program be selected for funding. Recipients of Schomburg Fellowships must be new to the degree program; however, students who have previously earned a master’s degree or who are currently enrolled in a master’s degree program and are applying to transition into a doctoral program are eligible to receive a Schomburg Fellowship.
Schomburg fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate that they would contribute to the diversity of the student body of the university, especially those who have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. In awarding these fellowships, academic units may give consideration to students who are of a race or ethnicity that is underrepresented in its graduate or professional programs but may not make awards solely on that basis. Students must be planning to enroll full-time during the award period and must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
Each school or college has an internal admissions and selection process. Please contact your academic department for more information.
Elizabeth Colucci
Throughout the year, the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships hosts research lunches during which Schomburg fellows present their research to a wide community of individuals, outside of their discipline. These lunches give scholars another venue to share their work in a public format and allow for the exchange of knowledge among the Schomburg community and create potential for scholarly collaborations.
Degree: MS/PhD Biological Sciences
Title: Evolution of Sex Determination in the Allopolyploid Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)
Hannah discussed her PhD project proposal, which aims to assess how sex is determined in razorback suckers (an endangered western desert fish species).
Degree: PhD, Community Health and Health Behavior
Title: Assessing Coverage of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Health-Related Topics in Educational Training Programs: A Comparison of Medical, Nursing, and Pharmacy Students
Aidoo-Frimpong's research focuses on HIV/AIDS, Global Health, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, with a critical focus on African immigrants and African refugees.
Degree: PhD, Clinical Psychology
Rodriguez' research interests focus on the emotional and social mechanisms that contribute to substance misuse among individuals with a history of trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After her graduate work, Rodriguez wishes to obtain a research career as a clinical scientist at a university or veteran's administration hospital.
Degree: PhD, Pathology and Anatomical Sciences
Title: Efficient Biomedical Image Utilization for Gross Anatomy Education
Lewis presented about his research in computational cell biology, anatomy and pathology where his thesis will be with machine learning and statistical modeling of gross anatomical structures from CT imaging. His future career goal is to become a researcher working with novel biomedical imaging approaches to mental illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases.
Degree: PhD, Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience)
Title: A Novel Epigenetic Mechanism for Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease
Williams discussed his research working in the lab of Zhen Yan where they study synaptic mechanisms underlying common disorders of the brain. Outside of the lab Williams is engaged in efforts to help increase the inclusiveness in science education and promote scientific inquiry to communities underrepresented in the field.
Degree: PhD, Electrical Engineering
Title: Terahertz Communications for Space and Beyond
Al Qaraghuli's research interests include satellite communication, smart health care and next generation wireless networks. He has been working on developing algorithms to optimize communication at Millimeter Wave band (30-300 GHz) alongside Terahertz Band (0.1-10 THz). In his presentation, Al Qaraghuli discussed recent achievements, challenges, and applications of his research, and discussed terahertz communication beyond space.
Degree: PhD, Community Health and Health Behavior
Title: Peer and Community factors on PrEP Uptake: A Qualitative Study of PrEP Users in Western New York
Aidoo-Frimpong's research interests include reproductive and sexual health, HIV/AIDS and Global Health. In this talk, she discussed PrEP as a novel strategy for HIV prevention, and the peer and community factors that influence its adoption and adherence among PrEP users.
Degree: PhD, Rehabilitation Engineering
Title: Are You Presenting for Everyone? Tips and Tricks for Inclusive Presentations
Donahue’s presentation discussed inclusive and accessible presentations that allow people with disabilities (particularly print disabilities) to gather all the same knowledge from a presentation as a sighted person. Her research interests are connecting practice with research to improve the ease with which assistive technologists conduct their services. Her professional development presentation shared tips and tricks as well as a foundational understanding of what an inclusive and accessible presentation is.
Degree: PhD, Counseling and School Psychology
Title: “African American Acculturation and the “Strong Black Woman” Phenomenon
Johnson’s research interests include African American acculturation, religiosity, multiculturalism and minority mental health. Her work involved the infusion of multiculturalism into the curriculum in various counseling psychology PhD programs and factors that influence academic success in African American woman. In this talk, Johnson discussed the strong black women phenomenon and its relevance to African American acculturation.
Each fall, the vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School hosts a reception honoring the University at Buffalo’s Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship recipients. This event allows for the networking among current Schomburg fellows, faculty supporters and administrators of UB’s Schomburg fellowship program.
Schomburg fellows participate in a day of service at International Prep Academy in Buffalo. At this event, Schomburg fellows partner with UB's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to give back and to empower local high school students to take advantage of educational opportunities. By sharing their collegiate experiences and emphasizing the importance of pursuing higher education, Schomburg fellows encourage younger students to continue their academic pursuits.
Schomburg fellows are encouraged to take advantage of one of the many exceptional opportunities for networking and learning that the University at Buffalo has to offer: The Distinguished Speakers series. Schomburg fellows are offered optimal seating together at a presentation by a distinguished speaker, such as Angela Davis.
