("Basic" refers to topics including how to get started with undergraduate research
and learning how to utilize resources to find research and scholarship and award opportunities,
such as our Campus Research Opportunity Postings (CROP) database and searchable scholarships
database listings.
Mondays: 12:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesdays: 1 - 2:30 and 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1 - 3 p.m.
Thursdays: 11 - 1 and 2 - 3 p.m.
Fridays: 12 - 1 and 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Advanced scheduled appointments:
("Advanced" refers to topics including thinking about and writing internal and external
scholarship applications)
Tuesdays
3:15 - 4:15 p.m. with Director Stephen Ortiz (UU 260), and by appointment
Thursdays
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with Director Stephen Ortiz (UU 260), and by appointment
Specialized Advising
Source Project
Walk-in times are Tuesdays 1 - 2:30 p.m., or by appointment.
Contact Source Project Coordinator Caroline Antalek by email cantalek@binghamton.edu or call (607) 777-4342.
Stephen Ortiz joined ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ in 2010 as a member of the History faculty.
He has published two books on the role of veterans in American politics. From 2016-2021,
he served as Collegiate Professor of College in the Woods. In 2021, Ortiz took on
the position of Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Enrichment. He became Director
of the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center in 2023, as part of
his AVP responsibilities.
Beth Polzin
Dr. Beth Polzin has a long track record of providing students with broad-based skills
and individualized guidance to identify approaches to design and articulate their
research. A first-generation college graduate originally from Western New York, she
has taught and tutored writing and research at universities and community colleges.
Dr. Polzin earned a BA in politics and history, a certificate in African Studies,
an MFA in creative writing, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. She lived in Accra,
Ghana for two years, first as an undergraduate student, and later, as a fellow with
a Fulbright award. At ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, she has taught inquiry-based courses
to undergraduates in the Department of Comparative Literature, the Institute for Advanced
Studies in the Humanities (IASH), and the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies
Program (LACAS), and to doctoral students of the Translation Research and Instruction
Program (TRIP). In previous professional staff roles on campus, Dr. Polzin served
as a Grant and Contract Administrator with the Office of Sponsored Programs and as
Program Coordinator for TRIP.
Caroline Antalek (She/Her), Source Project Program Coordinator
Caroline Antalek is a ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ alumna with a bachelor's degree in Spanish
language and literature, and a minor in education. As the Source Project Program Coordinator,
Caroline assists in the program’s facilitation and helps plan the poster sessions
for Research Days. As a former exchange student with Rotary International, having
spent a year in Puebla, Mexico, Caroline has a passion for diverse cultures, language
learning, and education. Prior to starting at ESURC, she worked for Binghamton's undergraduate
admissions. She also has experience working for Broome County as a career counselor.
When Caroline is not working with undergraduate research, you can find her at a concert,
in the gym, or hanging out with her daughter and husband.
Afton Fahey
Afton Fahey graduated from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree
in Comparative Literature. After graduation, she accepted a position on campus with
the Office of Human Resources in student payrolls. In 2016, Afton left the University
to travel with her military husband to Japan, where she taught high school students
English as a Second Language. After three years, she relocated to a military base
in Washington, DC, where she tutored students during the pandemic. Afton has been
working at the ESURC since March 2024. She loves to travel and learn about different
cultures, histories, and social structures. In her spare time you can find her reading,
being outdoors, or relaxing with her husband and two cats.
Dr. Elisa Camiscioli (she/elle), Senior Fulbright Advisor
Dr. Elisa Camiscioli
Dr. Camiscioli helps students navigate applying to the Fulbright Program, a renowned
and competitive cultural exchange program. Dr. Camiscioli is passionate about international
collaboration and serves on research, teaching and granting committees in France,
Belgium and the United Kingdom. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
in Teaching and offers classes on race and racism in Europe, human trafficking in
history, intimate labor and global migrations.
Dr. Christina Baer (She/Her), Goldwater Scholarship and NSF REU Advisor
Christina Baer
Dr. Christina Baer serves as the advisor for the Goldwater Scholarships and for the
National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) opportunities.
Dr. Baer has been a Research Educator in the First-year Research Immersion program
since 2020. She has a Ph.D. and B.A. in biology, with a focus on ecology and evolution.
As an undergraduate, she participated in an REU and has also been an REU mentor. In
FRI, she teaches students how to plan, conduct, and write about scientific research.
Dr. Whitni Redman (She/Her), Advisor for SUNY Upstate Medical programs
Whitni Redman
Dr. Whitni Redman serves as the advisor for SUNY Upstate Medical Summer Research Fellowship
and Ph.D. and Prep-Up programs. She is a first-generation college student that received
her B.S. in Biochemistry from Peru State College followed by her Ph.D. in Immunology
and Infectious Diseases from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Redman
completed a two-year postdoc position at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ before serving as the
Research Educator for the Microbial Biofilms in Human Health stream in the First-year
Research Immersion Program. As an undergraduate, she participated in two summer research
fellowships. Dr. Redman has also been an REU mentor and has assisted students to successfully
apply to various summer research fellowships and PhD programs across the country.
Jovana Cvetanovic
Jovana is a Junior majoring in Environmental Science on the pre-med track. Her role
in ESURC consists of creating biweekly newsletters and advising students on how to
get involved in research. She has been involved in research since her first year as
a part of the FRI program in the Biogeochemistry stream. Upon completion of the program,
Jovana joined Dr. Sobel's lab. In her free time, she likes to play sports and draw.
Kristen Li
Kristen is a sophomore who recently joined ESURC as an undergraduate research ambassador.
She participated in the Source Project during 2023-2024 in the Mapping American Prejudice
stream. Her research consisted of working in a team to uncover more about historical
residential discrimination in Broome County.
Lia Richter
Lia is a senior double-majoring in History and Economics. She acts as the current
Managing Editor of the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Undergraduate Journal. Her role consists
of reviewing submitted papers, coordinating communications between authors, reviewers,
and the editorial board, and publishing the new volumes. She has been involved in
research throughout her time in undergrad, through both the Disinformation and Naivete
stream in the Source Project and the Summer Scholars and Artist Program.
Carissa is a junior double-majoring in English and Philosophy, Politics, and Law (PPL)
with a minor in Human Rights. She recently joined ESURC as an Undergraduate Research
Ambassador and has been actively engaged in research since participating in the Binghamton
University Projects for New Undergraduate Researchers (BUPNUR) program in the Spring
of 2024. Her research focuses on wrongful convictions, prison literature, and carceral
studies, taking a strong interdisciplinary approach that bridges literature, criminology,
psychology, and law. Carissa is passionate about using writing and storytelling as
tools for advocacy, particularly in amplifying the voices of those impacted by the
criminal justice system. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her cat, making
jewelry, and writing.
Hera Khan
Hera is a junior majoring in Integrative Neuroscience on the Pre-Medical track. She
recently joined the ESURC office as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador. She is a
research assistant for the Binghamton Student-Managed Adderall Research Team (BSMART)
and conducts research under the mentorship of Dr. Lina Begdache, a professor in Binghamton
University’s Health and Wellness Department. Her research focuses on the effects of
illicit psychoactive substance use on individuals’ physical, social, and psychological
well-being. In addition to conducting research, Hera is passionate about drug addiction
awareness and has led numerous outreach efforts in the Binghamton and Syracuse communities
to combat drug use among adolescents. Hera is also involved in organizations on campus
such as the American Cancer Society, and serves as the president of the Binghamton
Pre-Medical Association. In her free time, she loves to write poems and bake.
Gervlyne Auguste currently serves as the program coordinator for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program). She brings over 15 years of experience in educational and administrative management.
Her academic experiences serve as an important framework that better allows her to
understand and identify with a diverse range of students. Gervlyne's familiarities
of being a first-generation college student with English as a second language present
the main ideals that are the backbone of her educational philosophy. As a project
coordinator, her primary mission is to help students navigate successfully through
their academic careers while exploring their educational and career options. Her immediate
responsibility is to prepare students to be self-sufficient and life-long learners.
Her obligation is to contribute and remain attentive to issues pertaining to student
services and retention. This is especially important when addressing the needs of
underrepresented and underserved students.
In her spare time, she serves on several nongovernmental organizations as an advocate
for better access to education, youth development and women owned businesses reaching
life-long independence.
Gervlyne holds a Masters in Science degree with an Administration and Planning concentration
from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and a Bachelor of Science in Biology
from Emmanuel College, Boston.
Dickinson Research Team (DiRT)
Dr. Robert A. Holahan (He/Him), Dickinson Research Team Director
Robert Holahan is an associate professor of environmental studies and political science
and director of the Dickinson Research Team (DiRT). DiRT is a residential community-based
research program that is the first of its kind in the United States. DiRT is open
to students who are interested in research, regardless of major and prior research
experience.
Ryan Mead
Ryan Mead is the Assistant Director of Academic Support Services and Programming for
the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and has worked in higher education for over
14 years. As a first-generation and transfer student, Ryan understands the challenges
many students face in higher education, inspiring his commitment to fostering success
for students from marginalized backgrounds. He leads teams of student tutors during
the academic year and manages both student and professional staff, including faculty,
during EOP’s summer bridge program, BEP. Ryan’s approach emphasizes that learning
is a skill that can be mastered, using scientifically proven strategies rooted in
both educational psychology and sociology. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology
from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
