- The Learning Environment
The Learning Environment
The Biochemistry core curriculum provides a comprehensive learning environment through the combination of didactic lecture, analysis and discussion of research articles from the scientific literature, evaluation of research seminars, and hands-on research training. In lecture-based courses, students acquire a fundamental understanding of biochemical principles (BCH 403, approximately 220 students), biomedical genetics (BCH 410, approximately 175 students), and cutting-edge laboratory techniques in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology (BCH 401, 20-25 students). In literature-based discussion courses, students gain experience and proficiency in reading, analyzing, writing summaries and critiquing/discussing research articles on advanced topics in modern biochemistry (BCH 404, BCH 405, 20-25 students). Students also learn about diverse areas of ongoing biomedical research by attending departmental seminars and evaluating the presentations through written critiques and in-class discussions (BCH 407, 20-25 students). Lastly, students gain extensive hands-on research training in a faculty member’s laboratory (BCH 498).
About Our Facilities
UB’s new downtown Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences features:
- Eight floors; 628,000 square feet
- Interior seven-story glass atrium, terra-cotta and glass rain screen façade
- State-of-the art laboratory space
- Built-in NFTA-Metro rail station for convenient public access
Research conducted in faculty laboratories utilizes cutting-edge technologies and equipment. Students have access to a number of state-of-the-art core facilities within the department and the Jacobs School of Medicine to support their research:
- Molecular Interactions Suite (Bio-layer interferometry, surface plasmon resonance, isothermal calorimetry)
- Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Core (confocal microscopy, laser dissection, flow cytometry, molecular imaging, real-time PCR)
- Next-Generation Sequencing and Expression Core
- Protein Expression and Crystallization Core
- Proteomics/Mass Spectrometry Core
- Electron Microscopy Core
- The Western New York Stem Culture and Analysis Center (includes 4 core facilities)
- Gene Targeting and Transgenic Mouse Core (at Roswell Park Cancer Center)
About Our Faculty
The Department of Biochemistry presently has 21 full-time faculty that includes 12 Professors (three of which are SUNY Distinguished Professors), 5 Associate Professors and 4 Assistant Professors. In addition, we have a total of 20 research track and secondary appointees and two emeritus SUNY Distinguished Professors. Biochemistry faculty hold important leadership positions at the School and University levels and are actively involved in cutting-edge research, teaching, editorial boards, study sections and invited talks at National/International meetings, universities and research institutes.
Recent faculty achievements include Dr. Jennifer Surtees receiving the Community Service Award for Excellence in Promoting Inclusion and Diversity, Dr. Laura Feltri receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, Dr. Norma Nowak receiving the Buffalo Business First 2020 Power 150 Women in Buffalo, Drs. Marc Halfon and Gabriela Popescu receiving UB’s Excellent Scholar’s Award for Sustained Research Achievement, and Dr. Thomas Hohle receiving The Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Biochemistry department website for additional information about our faculty.