Graduate student life at Binghamton University encompasses challenging academics, rewarding research, delightful cultural events to see and do and exciting sports to watch and play. Restaurants, theaters for both stage and screen, and community and University-based involvement all await graduate students at Binghamton University.
Orlando Tirado has lived in West Africa, New York City, and New Hampshire, and is a photographer as well as a student in Comparative Literature. He came to Binghamton University in part for its approach to interdisciplinary study and thought.
What led you to attend Binghamton University?
I decided to attend BU because the progressive and radical thinkers who teach here have influenced and shaped fundamental approaches in contemporary theory, visual culture, art criticism, and literary theory. It is important to me that Binghamton University be known as a place where interdisciplinary critical thinking is happening--this approach is necessary as our world becomes increasingly global and interdisciplinary lines are blurred--and that the University encourages this kind of work in the future.
What are your goals for the future?
To make art that goes down in history as classic, work that endures and remains while it brings something new to present cultural notions.
What are some of your accomplishments?
A film collaboration with best friend Andrea Pallaoro titled "Wunderkammer" (Wonder Room) is a short film selection and will be screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2008, and will also be screened in the Vienna Biennale in October 2008.
What has been the most exciting aspect of your work and research?
Thinking about the world in ways I never did before, reading with vigor and exuberance...bearing witness to my students' discoveries and developments in the classroom (seeing their shock transform into curiosity--that's the most amazing part of learning!)...And being part of a community of scholars who live their lives effecting change by the virtue of sending their concepts and ideas into the world, into the air, with faith and love.
What do you find inspiring? Motivating? Challenging?
As an artist, I try to perceive the lives of others with compassion, empathy, while living my life with a suspension of judgment. This allows me to see beyond the surface of things and prompts me to respond to the world in ways that are unorthodox, creative, and intimately close. As a photographer, or someone who makes images, this suspension of judgment is crucial. I believe the best images are those that expose relationships between photographer and subject, and the circumstances surrounding the photographic act. To be able to really see who my subjects are...I must be vulnerable to the moment at hand, and I find that vulnerability both fascinating and exciting: a moment where recognition and representation become touchable.
What are the benefits of attending BU?
The professors here are some of the most tremendous, progressive, and radical minds working in academia today, people whose ideas are crucial in shaping the future of our developing world.
Denisse Yepez is pursuing a PhD in Industrial & Systems Engineering. Her grandfather, who opened a machine shop in Ecuador, inspired Denise to pursue her education; she feels fortunate to be involved in the new CAMM (Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing) facility at Binghamton University.
What are your goals for the future?
Some of my goals for the future are to continue my education and accomplish a PhD in the engineering field. Also, I would like to become a good researcher in the field of flexible electronics...But most important, to be able to contribute to CAMM.
What does your graduate degree mean to you?
My graduate degree for me means a step forward into a research career, with the obligation to uphold the standards of the engineering field.
What is been the most exciting aspect of your work and research?
The most exciting aspect of my research work is to be able to interact with people not only in the academic field of engineering, but in the industry. I think it is very rewarding to work with people that have years of experience in the field of electronic packaging--and they are willing to guide you with the research.
What do you find inspiring? Motivating? Challenging?
My motivation is my family because they support me in all my decisions. Also, my inspiration is my grandfather, Victor Hugo Yepez, because I know that although he didn't have a college degree he became successful and opened his own machine shop, where many small industries in that area back in Ecuador still contract for its services.
What are some of your accomplishments?
I was awarded the Clark Fellowship by the Graduate School here at BU from 2006-2008, and now I have been awarded the fellowship to continue with my PhD.
What are the benefits of attending Binghamton University?
The benefit of attending BU is that the Watson School of Engineering is a decent size, but not as large as at some other universities. This has allowed me to actually get to know all my professors. Also, it feels great to know that for the professors you are not just another student--most professors know almost all of their students' names.
Stephanie Lim just finished her PhD in Chemistry at Binghamton University. Her plans include postdoctoral studies abroad, and gaining some additional research experience in Europe. Ultimately she plans to settle back in the US.
What brought you here to Binghamton University?
I moved to the United States from Malaysia with my family when I was 16. After high school, I attended BU as an undergraduate student due to the excellent reputation that BU offers and the warmth and kindness that I received from faculty and staff when I visited the campus.
What do you find inspiring? Motivating? Challenging?
The interesting thing about research in science is that things do not always turn out the way you want. You can plan an experiment and be as prepared as you can but the results may be completely unexpected. I often find that challenging and at the same time, it also motivates me to dig deeper and understand what is going on behind all the theory. I also feel that the environment that you work in is very important. I am fortunate to have such a motivated professor (Professor C.J. Zhong) who has always inspired and challenged me academically. I am also grateful to my lab-mates who are always open to discussion. I love that I have a place where I can freely share my ideas and thoughts with other graduate students.
What are some of the innovations in your field that you've been a part of?
Well, a big part of my study has been the establishment of fine-tunable interparticle chemistry for the assembly of nanoscale building blocks towards functional nanostructures with controllable sizes, shapes and spatial properties. I have also developed several techniques in the synthesis and assembly of both organic and water soluble metal nanoparticles (single, bimetallic and ternary composition) for applications in fuel-cell catalysis, bio-diagnostics and drug delivery. I have extensive experience in conjugating biomolecules such as thiol-containing amino acids, proteins, and DNAs onto metal nanoparticle surfaces and subsequently studying their bio-reactivity and assembly process which can be used for disease detection.
What are some of your personal interests?
When I am out of the lab, I like to relax. I enjoy eating out, trying new restaurants and spending time with my friends. I also like to travel. My NSF graduate research fellowship has allowed me to attend many conferences both internationally and locally and enhanced my interaction with scientists around the world.
What does your graduate degree mean to you?
Getting my degree means a great deal to me. It's a reminder of the work I've put in to get to where I am today and marks the end of my career as a student. This degree also helped me realize that nothing is impossible if you are determined and you set your mind to it.
What are the benefits of attending Binghamton University?
I love the fact that BU has a diverse campus community. The professors are easily approachable and are very friendly. BU is also close to my home (NYC) so it makes it easier to visit my parents and friends every now and then.
Omar Eldakar attended Binghamton University as an undergraduate, and continued here with his graduate studies in Biology. In particular, he studies Evolutionary Biology, examining the tension between altruism and selfishness in organisms. Omar hopes to become a college professor at a top university.
What led you to attend Binghamton University?
I was actually recruited here to run track as an undergraduate. I almost feel as though I discovered BU twice. The first time when choosing this school, I saw a school as a great fit for its emerging athletics program as well as its academic reputation. When deciding on graduate school, I saw BU as a center of intellectuals interested in interdisciplinary studies where someone with my interests could flourish.
What do you find inspiring? Motivating? Challenging?
I am inspired by delivering new ideas to the scientific community. I was very fortunate to have a great advisor (David Sloan Wilson) who had the confidence in me to let me run off and explore various ideas, and treat me as a collaborator and not just a student. I am personally motivated by the chance to bring new concepts to the literature for others to research and debate. This is also very challenging--as many researchers know, there is never a guarantee you will find what you are looking for, nor have it accepted by the field. It can be quite the emotional rollercoaster of acceptance and rejection.
What does your graduate degree mean to you?
It mostly means that I can explore the many questions in the world that I am interested in and actually make a living off of it.
What are some of your accomplishments?
I have recently received the Distinguished Dissertation Award, which I feel was a good ending to my graduate tenure. It is always nice when the work you spent so much effort on is recognized by your peers. Aside from that award, I would say my greatest accomplishments are every time I publish a paper in a peer reviewed journal. It is not only important to conduct good and interesting research, but it is equally important to communicate this research to the scientific community.
What are the benefits of attending BU?
I would say the camaraderie of the graduate students and faculty. They are always up for the exchange of ideas and discussion, even in areas they are not necessarily familiar with. This is epitomized in the creation of EvoS, Binghamton's Evolutionary Studies program. In addition, there is nothing quite like the graduate student body. It is a great community of scholars from all over the world with different views and equally diverse research projects.
Sean Burke took early retirement from his job as a union auto worker and decided to attend Binghamton University to obtain his Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA). His concentration is in Nonprofit Administration, and he hopes to work with a nonsectarian nonprofit organization in or near Syracuse, his home town.
What are some innovations in your field that you've been part of?
Interning at Huntington Family Center in Syracuse is giving me the opportunity to work with a new and exciting approach to nonprofit funding. Huntington was chosen by the Rosamond Gifford Foundation to be part of a comprehensive capacity building project called ADVANS: Advancing and Developing the Value and Assets of Nonprofits in Syracuse. This project comes with funding designed to help the nonprofit enhance its organizational strength.
What has been the most exciting aspect of your work and research?
I have met some fantastic people at BU and at my internship. The students in the MPA program come from diverse backgrounds and I have been able to make friends with people from many different parts of the world, and the people at Huntington are very proud and work very hard to provide social support to families in need. I enjoy being part of this organization.
What does your graduate degree mean to you?
I take school very seriously. I am the first person in my family to earn a bachelor's degree so my educational accomplishments mean a lot to both myself and my family. That being said, I took a risk by changing careers and this degree will hopefully mitigate some of that risk.
What are some of your personal interests?
I have volunteered as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central NY for five years, I am a political junkie, my father and I have season tickets to Syracuse University football games, and I am a Boston Red Sox fan.
What are the benefits of attending Binghamton University?
The MPA program at BU has the nonprofit concentration, it is close to my hometown (Syracuse, NY), and SUNY tuition is very affordable. Moreover, BU has a fantastic academic reputation.
Kristine Anderson, a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Binghamton University, serves as a Senator of the MSW student organization, and has worked to be a liaison between the Binghamton Community and the new Downtown Campus, where the MSW program is located. She hopes one day to open a nonprofit agency that provides literacy education and services.
What are some innovations in your field that you've been part of?
I am currently the first MSW intern at the Upward Bound Program at Binghamton University. I love the UB Program, it allows students to see themselves as scholars and the staff is very supportive of them going to college and achieving great things. Over the summer, I am conducting a creative dance class that will incorporate skill building activities and creative movements.
What does your graduate degree mean to you?
Being the first person in my family to achieve a Master's degree is tremendous for me. My graduate degree means that I am serious about my future and that I want better for my family...I want to be a realm of support. I remember my grandmother used to tell me, "No matter whatever someone does or takes from you they can't take away what you have learned." I hold this true because the more I learn the more I feel enriched. In December 2008, I will graduate with my MSW and I hope to make my family proud. Especially my Dad who passed away the summer before my senior year in undergrad.
What has been the most exciting aspect of your work and research?
I am currently doing collaborative research with Chad Angellotti in the MSW Program on the effects of service learning compared to field learning. We are currently viewing research materials from the members of our cohort that went to New Orleans for our spring break.
What are some of your accomplishments?
I received the Dr. Ronald E. McNair award for personifying the definition of a McNair Scholar by upholding the goals and ideals of the McNair Scholars Program. Also, the Kolawole Glover Memorial scholarship for being an Educational Opportunity Program mentor and being dedicated to learning. The Teresa A. Shepard SEEK/EOP Advocacy Award for showing commitment to the EOP program through support and service. I was also named in Buffalo State College's 2007 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
What are the benefits of attending BU?
There are numerous benefits of attending Binghamton University. BU gives me the opportunity to live in an urban area that is close to my home in New York City. The Binghamton University Downtown Campus is near to many "hot-spots" around town. That gives students the opportunity to eat, study, and have intellectual conversation. BU has also served as a form of networking for me. In the Social Work program, the faculty/staff are very supportive of students and I am glad that they are more than just professors...they are mentors. During the past spring I was able to go on a service-learning trip to New Orleans, LA with sixteen members of my MSW cohort and two liaisons. This trip has truly changed my career focus. I think it is important that individuals step out of their "norms" and see the world for what it really is. I am forever grateful to the MSW program and Jennifer Marshall (Director of Field Education) for allowing us to participate in such a life altering experience.
