2025: A look back at UB’s research and creative activities

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A vaccine to combat the growing threat of bird flu. Artificial intelligence tools that improve early childhood literacy. Combining Bach and Coltrane to push the boundaries of musical expression.

These achievements, like many of the University at Buffalo’s research endeavors, are poised to have a wide ranging and long-lasting positive impact, both locally and globally. They represent the tip of the iceberg in yet another year of bold scholarly activity.

“For decades, UB has changed the world for the better through our research and creative pursuits,” said Venu Govindaraju, senior vice president for research, innovation and economic development at UB.

As 2025 comes to a close, here’s a look back at just some of the impressive accomplishments from UB faculty and students, and the news mentions their work received.

ENVIRONMENT – BACTERIA THAT EATS ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are called “forever chemicals” for a reason. Because of their strong chemical bonds, they can take thousands of years to break down in the environment and human body. More troubling, they are linked to cancer, thyroid disease and other severe health problems.

Earlier this year, UB researchers reported on bacteria that can break down and transform at least three types of PFAS, and, perhaps even more crucially, some of the toxic byproducts of the bond-breaking process.

“The bond between carbon and fluorine atoms in PFAS is very strong, so most microbes cannot use it as an energy source. The F11 bacterial strain developed the ability to chop away the fluorine and eat the carbon,” said the study’s corresponding author, Diana Aga, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Henry M. Woodburn Chair in the Department of Chemistry, and director of the UB RENEW Institute.

MEDICAL IMAGING – PAIN-FREE BREAST SCANS

Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death for women worldwide. Early detection – most commonly through mammograms and ultrasound – has saved countless lives. But each method has limitations.

A new imaging technique, under development at UB by Jun Xia, professor of biomedical engineering, aims to address some of these limitations while avoiding the pain some patients feel receiving mammograms.

“Our system, which is called OneTouch-PAT, combines advanced imaging, automation and artificial intelligence – all while enhancing patient comfort,” he said.

MUSIC – BACH MEETS COLTRANE

Pairing the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and John Coltrane? Yes, UB music professor Jeffrey Scott went there. The result: a Grammy winning composition that Scott’s colleagues, including UB faculty member Melissa White, performed on April 25 at Slee Hall. The work, which also features Scott’s original compositions and the poetry of A.B. Spellman, blends Western classical music, 20th century jazz and other music genres.

“I love classical music, love Bach. But I also love jazz and I love blues, and I love merengue, and I love salsa, I love samba and, yeah, I wanted to have an opportunity to put all of that into one big project, and this was the project,” Scott said on Driven to Discover, the University Communications podcast that explores the depth and richness of UB’s scholarly activity.

EDUCATION – AI-POWERED TUTORS

Reading proficiency among young children in the U.S. is declining, raising alarms about long-term academic and economic success.

UB researchers at The Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI are addressing this looming crisis through the responsible use of AI. Formed in 2024 after receiving a $10 million federal grant, the center is developing tools such as AIRE, or AI Reading Enhancer, that improve phonics, word recognition and other key literacy skills with personalized learning exercises tailored to children’s linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

“In daily life, you’re going to see the difference these tools will make. It’s going to positively impact teachers’ work and children’s learning in real classrooms — and in your community,” said the center’s director X. Christine Wang, professor of learning and instruction in the Graduate School of Education.

LAW – RACIAL DISPARITIES IN FELONY MURDER CASES

UB legal scholars Guyora Binder and Alexandra Harrington are shedding light on racial disparities regarding enforcement of New York’s felony murder law, which allows individuals and accomplices to be charged with murder for deaths occurring during inherently dangerous felonies, even if they didn’t intend to kill.

The pair compiled a dataset of about 1,000 arrests and about 250 convictions. Their findings?

“Police are arresting Black and Latinx people for felony murder in numbers disproportionate to their makeup in the general population, and prosecutors are charging them with this crime, often when the defendants have not actually killed anyone,” Harrington said.