Message from the Dean

Dear Friends of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,

The past year has brought significant challenges for each of us individually and as a community. I have heard many stories from our students, staff, faculty and alumni, collectively marked by a wide range of emotions including grief, anger, frustration, gratitude, encouragement and hope. These conversations have also revealed the resilience, creativity, collegiality, brilliance and selflessness of our community.

In this year’s issue of Buffalo Engineer magazine, you will read about how we have come together during these times of uncertainty. Right from the start of the pandemic, our faculty quickly pivoted their expertise to ease the shortage of PPE, develop vaccines and health monitoring equipment, and partner with community organizations to help keep the public safe (page 14).

The UB Engineering and Applied Sciences Alumni Association remained active and developed creative ways to continue growing and deepening their interactions with students (page 18).

Other alums pivoted their businesses or started new ones to address pandemic-related needs. On page 26 you will read about a local distillery that provided free hand sanitizer to the community, and on page 28, a new wellness app for sleep and focus.

And, in response to racial unrest, we formed a working group to create opportunities to address deficiencies in critical areas so that we can grow, improve, and increase our success, significance and impact. Our efforts related to racial equity are now known as SEAS for JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – see back cover).

As we approach the one-year mark since the coronavirus changed all of our lives, we are looking ahead to a brighter future. But challenges remain. In the coming weeks, you will hear about our Student Emergency Campaign to help our students in need.

I am extremely proud of our SEAS community, which has risen to the challenges we face with integrity and innovation, and thank you for your continued support. Together, let’s lead, and in our leading, bring positive change.

Kemper Lewis, PhD, MBA Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences