Why do Research?

Research is how scientists express their passion and contribute to the world- advancing cutting-edge technology, exploring the mysteries of the universe, and addressing pressing societal needs. Undergraduate research is your gateway to a scientific career. Working alongside a practicing scientist, you develop skills and attitudes needed to make meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving field of physics- like critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, creativity. Research opens doors to internships, job opportunities, and professional networks, giving you a competitive edge in the workforce (or applying for graduate school).

How and When to Start?

Most students start research in their second or third year. Not sure you're ready? Don't worry. Many research groups have things you can do with very little experience or knowledge.

How do you start? Here are some strategies:

  • Scan faculty web profiles and email, email, email. Scan faculty research pages and find out which ones interest you. Follow up with those professors. Professors generally like to talk to students about research, even if they aren't actively recruiting.
  • Talk to your professors after class. Find out what research they do. If you are interested, find out if they are looking for students.
  • Consider related fields. Professors in other STEM fields might do research you're interested in. 
  • Network with juniors and seniors. Find out what research they've done. Ask them about their experiences. Ask them how they got started. 
  • Find out about off-campus research programs. One of the most famous is Research Opportunities for Undergraduates (REU), a competitive summer program funded the US government.

Finding a research opportunity is a bit like job hunting. Success usually requires courage, fact-finding and persistence. Don't be shy. Be flexible. Be willing to move on if things don't work out. 

Student Research Profiles

Chris Burgio

Christopher Burgio

From the moment that I stepped foot on the campus, professors offered me the opportunity to do research with them, and I am very glad that I chose to pursue it. The time that I spent in Dr. Pathak’s lab has taught me how to use equipment common in condensed matter physics, how to analyze data, and come to conclusions about results. Research helped me understand the material I was learning in lectures. Research also opened doors for me, including a SULI at the Ames National Laboratory.
Jemma DeFeo

Jemma DeFeo

My research experience started shortly after I transferred to Buffalo State. I joined the lab focused on tailoring magnetic topological phases in rare-earth based Kagome materials. I was intrigued by the idea of making a solid-state refrigerator with the permanent magnets produced in the lab. I’ve learned lots about magnetic properties of materials and lots of practical skills- mounting samples, conducting Hall Effect measurements, and using a PPMS. As a result of this lab, I have four publications and will get to go to a conference in Binghamton. My publication links:

Michael Vullo

Mike Vullo

I am a double major in Chemistry and Physics. I started doing research Sourav Biswas (in Buffalo State Chemistry) as a sophomore. After sophomore year, I did off-campus summer research as an REU participant at Purdue University. That summer, I studied the electrochemical synthesis of alloys, and the catalytic applications of the alloy nanoparticles in Dr. Jeffrey Dick’s lab. After junior year, I did another REU- this time at the University of Pittsburgh Chemistry, studying chirality induced spin selectivity under Dr. David Waldeck. I found the REUs particularly valuable. I met lots of grad students and post-docs who showed me what university research is like and that I could make it doing research. As part of my research, I contributed to two journal articles:

Student Publications

Faculty Research Profiles

Core Faculty

David Abbott, Instructional Support Specialist - Supervises Learning Assistantships and pedagogy.

Dermot Coffey, Professor - Research in theoretical solid state physics.

David Ettestad, Professor - Research in chaos theory and statistical mechanics theory. 

Daniel MacIsaac, Chair and Professor - Studies the factors that influence the development of effective physics teachers. Dan also coordinates the M.S.Ed. (Physics) graduate programs for physics teachers.

Arjun Pathak, Professor - Investigates magnetic, electronic, thermodynamics, thermal, and electrical transport properties of various novel materials, including topological quantum materials, Skyrmions, magnetic Weyl semi-metals, half-metallic ferromagnets, caloric materials, permanent magnets, and 2D materials. He uses x-ray diffraction, electron microscope, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and physical property measurement systems (PPMS, DynaCool)

Ram Rai, Professor - Conducts experimental research on electronic and magnetic materials. He is particularly interested in thin films of complex oxides, and their investigation using different experimental techniques, including optical spectroscopy, resistivity, and dielectric measurements.

Affiliated Faculty

 S. Shanmukharao Samatham

Venkateswara Yenugonda