This summer, I will have the privilege to travel to Salamanca, Spain to learn about Spanish history and culture and spend time with a local family. As a pre-health student minoring in Spanish, the opportunity to further my Spanish-speaking skills is very valuable to me, as I get to continue my education as well as improve communication with diverse communities and future patients. There are so many great opportunities to broaden my perspectives throughout this study abroad, which is why I am deeply thankful to the UB Fund for helping reduce the financial burdens of a month-long trip. I hope to carry these experiences with me in my future education and career.

Anna Nezha, Biomedical Sciences major, Spanish minor

Because of the support from the UB Fund, I was able to participate in two global health experiences in 2026. I traveled to both Belize and the Dominican Republic as a Family Nurse Practitioner student at the University at Buffalo, which has allowed me to work alongside interdisciplinary healthcare teams, provide care in underserved communities and learn firsthand about healthcare systems outside the United States. These experiences strengthened my passion for advanced practice nursing, global health and gaining a deeper understanding of different healthcare systems to better serve vulnerable populations.

Jordan Pearson, Nursing Doctoral Student from Sanborn, NY

Thanks to the support I received from the UB Fund for the School of Dental Medicine, I was able to participate in the summer dental research program which was very rewarding. Over these past two years, I have been able to further our research, and our lab submitted a paper to Cell Reports. It is satisfying to see a project through, especially when myself and my other lab members have dedicated so much time to this project. It is one thing to learn about it in our courses, but it is truly special to be in the building surrounded by the people who are making it happen. Thank you!

Muriel Madison, Dentistry Doctoral Year 3

I was able to use this funding to travel to Las Vegas to present my research poster at ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition. Attending this conference helped me secure a PGY1 residency at my first-choice hospital. I hope to be in clinical pharmacy on an internal medicine floor, intensive care unit or in an emergency department.

Megan McGovern, Pharmacy Doctoral Year 4

My parents stressed the importance of a college education and the doors of opportunity that came with it, opportunities that were denied to both my grandparents due to racism and discrimination. Access to higher education was framed not only as an expectation, but a privilege that previous generations had sacrificed for.

My first year at UB has not been without challenges, but I have found a new community at UB. I have amazing peers in my classes who support and inspire me with their research. I have the best advisor Dr. Wicker, and I have a great deal of support from the ELP faculty. They are always willing to help and support students throughout their doctoral journey. 

Jessica Chatonda, Educational Leadership & Policy Doctoral Student supported through the UB Fund

After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health next year, I plan on going directly into my PhD in Biology, with my lab work being in STEM Education. This path will let me support more students who want to go into the STEM fields, and specifically, students from underrepresented backgrounds. This has an inherent tie to public health, as I will be helping people reach a higher socioeconomic status (specifically minoritized students,) leading to better health outcomes that many students are predisposed to. Because of the UB Fund, I was presented with the "Outstanding Junior in Public Health" Award, which has helped my professional development greatly.

Taona Simbarashe Maphos, Senior