WISH Members

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  Ivana Alexandrova

  DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am originally from Bulgaria and received my Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley. I have held a postdoctoral position at the University of Toronto and visiting appointments at the Universite de Paris Sud, Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques in Paris, and the University of Tokyo. My research is in the areas of partial differential equations, scattering theory, semi-classical and microlocal analysis, magnetic Hamiltonians, and the Aharonov-Bohm effect. I am also interested in helping to improve the mathematics education in American high schools and to that effect I maintain a webpage with math problems for high school students and have given a lecture in the Albany Area Math Circle.

  Ivana Alexandrova's Website

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  Ilham AlMahamid

  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
  School of Public Health

  Born in Damascus, Syria, I obtained my Ph. D. in Paris, France, and held positions at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, before joining the NYS Department of Health, with a joint appointment at the School of Public Health. My research areas focus on radioactive waste and human exposure to radioactive isotopes. Additionally, I founded New York for Syrian Refugees to assist the families in becoming part of a strong New York Community.

  Ilham AlMahamid's Faculty Page

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  Jeanette Altarriba

  DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
  Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a Cognitive Psychologist with a research program in bilingualism, cognition, language, memory, and emotion. I also serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, being committed to a life of service. As a Cuban American, I support developing the careers of all students, particularly women and those who identify as representing a minority group.

  Dean Altarriba's Web Page
  Dean Altarriba's Google Scholar Profile

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  Cheryl Andam

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a microbiologist who uses methods and concepts in genomics, evolutionary biology and bioinformatics to study bacterial infections, such as those caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Salmonella. We investigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, horizontal gene transfer and the emergence of successfully adaptive bacterial strains. I completed my Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut and my postdoctoral training at Cornell University and Harvard School of Public Health.

  Andam Lab Website
  Cheryl Andam's Google Scholar Profile

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  Marlene Belfort

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a microbial geneticist and biochemist with a career-long interest in host-parasite relationships. As well, I direct the Life Sciences Initiative at UAlbany. I continue to strive for balance between my professional and home lives and enjoy sharing my perspectives on the mutually reinforcing aspects of our scientific and domestic roles with the next generation of juggling-act scientists.

  Belfort Lab Website
  Marlene Belfort's Google Scholar Profile
  Dr. Marlene Belfort - Research Ted Talk at University at Albany

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  Erin Bell

  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
  School of Public Health

  I am an Environmental Epidemiologist specializing in the impact of environmental exposures on maternal and child health. My research and community service have more recently expanded into exploring the health outcomes related to racial disparities. I greatly enjoy teaching and mentoring, and particularly enjoy working with my doctoral students who are balancing their academic training with full time family responsibilities.

  Erin Bell's Faculty Page
  Erin Bell's Bibliography

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  Kristen Corbosiero

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an atmospheric scientist who studies the structure and intensity change of tropical cyclones. I am passionate about getting girls excited about STEM fields from a young age and mentoring female graduate students to plug the "leaky pipeline".

  Kristen Corbosiero's Website
  Kristen Corbosiero's Google Scholar Profile

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  Diane Dewar

  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIOR
  School of Public Health

  I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, and the Department of Economics at the University at Albany, State University of New York. I have over 20 years of teaching experience that includes graduate courses in health economics, health policy and economic evaluation methods; as well as undergraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, health economics, comparative health policy, introductory sociology and introductory psychology. I have a passion for health policy issues domestically and globally, and taught and lived in Canada, and give lectures and full courses in countries such as Ireland, Costa Rica, Colombia, South Korea and Vietnam. I received my Ph.D. in Economics from the University at Albany, with concentrations in health economics and econometrics.

  Diane Dewar's Faculty Page

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  Gabriele Fuchs

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an RNA biologist working at the interface of cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics and virology. As a scientist I have been fascinated by one of the largest cellular protein-RNA complexes called ribosomes. Until recently it had been assumed that ribosomes within an organism and within a cell were identical. Now we know that ribosomes are not identical. I am trying to understand what function particular ribosome subsets have during protein biosynthesis. In the future this knowledge might be used to combat a viral infection and cancer progression.

  Gabriele Fuch's Faculty Page

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  Aubrey Hillman

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an environmental scientist who reconstructs natural climate variability and human activities as recorded in lakes over the last 10,000 years. I am particularly interested in assessing pre-industrial human impact on landscapes, characterizing the range of natural hydroclimate (precipitation and evaporation), and looking at the impact of climate change on past societies.

  Aubrey Hillman's Website
  Aubrey Hillman's Google Scholar Profile

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  Julia Hormes

  DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  The focus of my work is the psychology of human food choice, eating behavior, eating disorders, food cravings, and food avoidance. I also research related health-compromising behaviors, including excessive exercise and use of social media. In the broader sociocultural context, I design interventions that particularly benefit traditionally underserved populations. I also study the status of women in the academy aimed at eliminating barriers to the successful retention of women in academia.

  Health Behaviors Laboratory
  Julia Hormes's Google Scholar Profile

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  Janine M Jurkowski

  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIOR
  School of Public Health

  I conduct research on social determinants of health disparities using a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach among women and their families, specifically focusing on low-income and disadvantaged women. Historically, I have also worked with Latinos and people with disabilities. I conduct intervention research with a focus on family-centered childhood obesity prevention in Head Start.

  Janine Jurkowski's Faculty Page

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  Hyun-Kyoung Kwon

  DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a mathematician working on analysis. Of particular interest to me are a special group of operators called Cowen-Douglas operators and the corona problem. Over the years, I have been blessed to have met several mathematicians who I consider my mentors. Doing research in math can be very daunting at times but they helped me feel that it is worth moving on. I want to pay back the encouragement and the support I have been given and will definitely share my career experiences with others who need it.

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  Sara Lance

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an atmospheric scientist with focus on experimental observations of aerosol-cloud-chemistry interactions. My primary expertise is the measurement of cloud and aerosol chemical and micro-physical properties.

  Sara Lance's Website
  Sara Lance's LinkedIn Profile
  Sara Lance's Google Scholar Profile
  Sara Lance's ORCID Profile

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  Andrea Lang

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an atmospheric scientist and my research focuses on understanding how variability in the jet stream and tropopause level flow impacts weather and forecasts. My enthusiasm for science developed by participating in extracurricular and outreach activities from a young age. I hope that I can pass that enthusiasm along to others young women and be a role model for other young women not only in science but those trying to find a work-life balance.

  Andrea Lang's Website

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  Melinda Larsen

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a cell biologist with an interest in how organs respond to injury. My lab is studying how cell-cell interactions lead to fibrosis, a clinical condition that interferes with organ function, and how organs recover from fibrosis to regenerate and regain function. I am a researcher today because I was mentored by excellent female (and male) scientists, and I am committed to training a diverse new generation of scientists.

  Larsen Lab Website

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  Cecilia Levy

  DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an experimental astro-particle physicist in the search for dark matter, the famous missing mass of the universe. My main work is as part of the world-leading LUX-ZEPLIN experiment. I am also involved in prototyping the Snowball Chamber, a new type of radiation detector, invented here, by the dark matter research group. I am very active in transforming physics into a more diverse and inclusive discipline, and am always looking to encourage and give opportunities to female students.

  Cecilia Levy's Faculty Page
  Cecilia Levy's Google Scholar Profile

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  Yanna Liang

  Chair, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
  College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

  I am an Environmental Engineer who has a passion for solving environmental problems through innovative and sustainable solutions. Specially, my research focuses on three themes: recovering critical materials from electronic waste, turning organic wastes to value-added products and developing remediation technologies for emerging contaminants. Through different projects, I have enjoyed collaborations with scientists from a wide range of disciplines.

  Yanna Liang's Faculty Page
  Yanna Liang's Google Scholar Profile

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  Betty Lin

  DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  Research: My research focuses on clarifying how ecological factors (e.g., stress, poverty, minority status) influence children's social and emotional development beginning as early as the prenatal and early childhood years, as well as the role of intervening child, family, and cultural risk and promotive factors. My research addresses how this stress responsivity may manifest behaviorally, such as in temperament, and physiologically, such as in sympathetic, parasympathetic, and adrenocortical responding.

  Lin Lab (Family and Baby Development) Website
  Betty Lin's Google Scholar Profile

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  Jennifer Manganello

  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIOR
  School of Public Health

  Jennifer Manganello is a health communication scholar who incorporates theories, concepts, and methods from the fields of public health and communication. Her research focuses on health literacy, especially as it relates to adolescents and young adults, Dr. Manganello was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, where she is currently a Distinguished Research Fellow.

  Jennifer Manganello's Website
  Jennifer Manganello's Google Scholar Profile

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  Roxana Moslehi

  DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOFY AND BIOSTATISTICS
  School of Public Health

  I have expertise in genetic epidemiology and cancer epidemiology. I received a bachelor's degree with honors, (B.Sc., Honours), in Cell and Developmental Biology, and Master (M.Sc.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Medical Genetics from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. I completed a post-doctoral training in Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland before joining the Faculty of the University at Albany. I currently serve as an associate professor in the School of Public Health. Please see the following links for information about my research and teaching:

  Roxana Moslehi's Cancer Genomics Page
  Roxana's Wiki Page
  Roxana's Faculty Page

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  Sujata Murty

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an oceanographer and paleoclimate scientist who uses corals to examine past changes in climate and ocean circulation over the past few hundred years. I synthesize coral-based geochemical reconstructions of temperature, salinity and ocean circulation with ocean models to understand the mechanisms driving changes in climate and ocean systems.

  Sujata Murty's Google Scholar Profile
  Sujata Murty's ORCID Profile

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  Rabi Musah

  DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a natural products chemist whose primary research interests lie in how plants synthesize and deploy molecules that are used in chemical defense and signaling, and the development of methods that can be used to study these chemicals in plants. I also conduct research in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in higher education, with the goal of developing intervention strategies that can be used to enhance interest in and retention of students in STEM. I believe that all students, irrespective of race/ethnicity, disability status, creed, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation (and other diversity indicators), should have ready access to any assistance needed to perform optimally in STEM courses. In this regard, I am able to provide academic and mentoring support to students taking gateway STEM courses through programs offered by the Center for Achievement, Retention and Student Success (CARSS), where I serve as Director.

  Rabi Musah's Faculty Page
  Video: The Center for Achievement, Retention and Student Success Helps Students Excel in Math & Science

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  Cara Pager

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a molecular virologist fascinated by the amazing ways viruses interface and subvert the host cell to establish an infection and disease. In particular we study how RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C virus and dengue virus, commandeer the cell's protein synthesis and RNA regulation machinery to duplicate the viral genomes and assembly new virus particles. In understanding these fundamental mechanisms we are laying the foundation for the development of therapies that will reign in these scourges. As a mommy scientist my little boy provides that all important work-life balance (also microtube racks and conical tubes are great toys for tomorrow's scientist).

  Pager Lab Website

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  Jayanti Pande

  DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a biophysical chemist and an alumna – returning to UAlbany after many years of science exploration at various institutions (City College of NY, University of Zurich, Columbia University, and M.I.T). Our lab is involved in finding the molecular mechanisms by which genetic mutations, and posttranslational modifications that accompany aging, alter the proteins in the human eye and lead to diseases like cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. We study phase transitions in proteins – which I think is pretty cool! Being a woman, and a chemist at heart with a background in physics, I find biochemical problems colorful and lots of fun to tackle. We have been lucky enough to train a small army of undergraduates – mostly women – some of whom became coauthors on publications. I am happiest when I succeed in conveying my love of science to young minds, and manage to find time to indulge in my love of music and the performing arts.

  Jayanti Pande's Faculty Page

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  Verónica Pérez Rodríguez

  DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  My research employs the tools of anthropology and archaeology to study social complexity, the development of urbanism, and their environmental impact. My research has so far focused on the pre-Hispanic societies of Mesoamerica and in particular, Oaxaca. Through a combination of archaeology and ethnography my research projects have asked questions about how urban living impacts the lives and health of urban dwellers, how cities impact the surrounding environment, how urbanites may generate sustainable forms of urbanism and urban agriculture, and more recently, how surviving craft producing communities in the Mixtec highlands may be the key to learning about ancient ceramic production and the traditional knowledge associated with it. In my most recent project, funded by the National Geographic Society, we are recording the traditional practices and knowledge of potters (mostly women). This ethnographic work is not only documenting an endangered craft, but it is also allowing us to map and chemically characterize clay sources and test assumptions about pre-Hispanic ceramic production and trade.

  Veronica Perez Rodriguez's Faculty Page

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  Marina A. Petrukhina

  DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a chemist with research interests broadly spanning from synthetic and structural inorganic and organometallic chemistry of transition metal clusters and main group metals to the structures and reactivity, supramolecular chemistry and applications of novel nanocarbon materials.
  
  I love making new molecules and studying their unique structures and properties and try to pass this passion to all my students.

  Marina Petrukhina's Faculty Page

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  Tammy Reid, MSc, CCRC

  THE RNA INSTITUTE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  As a Research Manager I like to focus my efforts on making sure trainees and research projects are successful. Most of my research experience has focused on human diseases, such as Myotonic Dystrophy, Spinocerebellar Ataxia and C9ORF72 ALS, including the families affected by them. In addition to research, I’ve worked as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) and as a clinical trial manager in Biotech.

  Tammy Reid's Google Scholar Profile

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  Annalisa Scimemi

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a synaptic physiologist, interested in determining the functional abnormalities that occur in the brain at the onset of various types of neuropsychiatric disease. Our lab is hands-on and brain-on: we assemble our own experimental equipment and bring together people with different expertise including (but not limited to): biology, physics, computer science, biomedical engineering, psychology. We love to talk science.

  Annalisa Scimemi's Faculty Page
  Scimemi Lab Website
  Annalisa Scimemi's Google Scholar Profile
  Annalisa Scimemi's ORCID Profile
  Annalisa Scimemi's Bibliography

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  Heather Sheridan

  DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  My research focuses on complex cognitive tasks that require eye movements and visual processing (such as reading and visual search tasks). The goal of my work is to understand how visual expertise develops, individual differences in performance, and the link between eye movements and on-going cognitive processing (i.e., the eye-mind link) by integrating findings from a variety of tasks and methodologies (e.g., eye tracking, modeling and EEG/ERPs).

  Heather Sheridan's Faculty Page
  Visual Cognition Lab Website

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  Haruka Takayama

  DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
  College of Arts and Sciences

  My research interest is in the field of international trade, especially foreign direct investment. My work centers around how firms make investment decisions and build their production networks, and what role intangible capital plays in these decisions. I am receiving mentorship from a prominent researcher in my field through the SAGES External Sponsor Program Awards, providing a valuable opportunity to expand my professional network. I am organizing a program to support Japanese female economists in their early careers.

  Haruka Takayama's Website
  

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  Sally Temple

  DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
  School of Public Health, and The Neural Stem Cell Institute

  I oversee scientific programs at the Neural Stem Cell Institute with the goal of understanding the role of stem cells in Central Nervous System development, maintenance, and repair, from basic to translational projects. My group is developing a stem cell-based therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through clinical trial. We use patient-derived stem cells to model AMD and tauopathies, to discover underlying causes and test novel candidate therapeutics. I’m passionate about reshaping the way we do science to offer more opportunities that take real life into account.

  Sally Temple's Web Page
  Sally Temple's Bibliography

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  Sweta Vangaveti

  THE RNA INSTITUTE
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am a Computational Biologist with expertise in molecular modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulations. I am fascinated by bimolecular structure and interactions. I work on a variety of problems related to structure-function relationships of biomolecules with a focus on RNA modifications, RNA:protein and RNA:drug interactions. I have been lucky to have worked with excellent and encouraging mentors throughout my career and I hope to pay it forward.

  Sweta Vangaveti's Google Scholar Profile

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  Elizabeth Vasquez

  DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS
  School of Public Health

  I am an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. My research examines the individual-level indicators and the ecological impact of social context, which contributes to differential health outcomes in older racial and ethnically diverse populations, in particular Latinos. I am a fellow with the Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR) program and an affiliated investigator with the Study of Latinos (SOL).

  Elizabeth Vasquez's Bibliography

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  Junhong (June) Wang

  DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  College of Arts and Sciences

  I am an atmospheric scientist working on weather and climate observations and data analysis, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) measurements and applications, and climate variability and changes. At UAlbany, I am actively involved in building the first NYS Mesonet, a network of 125 weather stations across the state. It continues to be challenging to recognize who I am, a scientist, a mom, a wife, a Chinese, an American and so on. I would love to share my experience, mentor young women and learn from others and work together to strive for what we all love to do.

  Junhong Wang's Faculty Page

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  Edelgard (“Elga”) Wulfert

  
  DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
  College of Arts and Sciences

  As a social scientist, I conducted experimental and treatment research in addiction. As SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, after completing 12 years as CAS dean and interim provost, I continue to focus on improving the culture and climate for women in STEM/SBS. I am Co-PI and Project Director of an NSF ADVANCE grant, Project SAGES, that promotes gender equity in STEM.

  Elga Wulfert's Faculty Page