("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 p.m.
Fridays: 2 - 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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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 research 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 ßÙßÇÂþ», 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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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 ßÙßÇÂþ»'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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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.
Adriana Bleecker (She/Her), Assistant to the Director
Adriana Bleecker
Adriana Bleecker graduated from The New School in 2016 with a Bachelor's and Master's
degree in Politics and two minors in Chinese and French Studies. After graduation,
she accepted a position at New York Community Bank managing client accounts. In 2017,
she went on to work in Human Resources for the Department of Homeland Security in
payroll, benefits, and on-boarding new staff members from districts across the country.
Eventually, she relocated to Upstate New York and worked for Cornell University's
S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management in the Cornell-Tsinghua FMBA Program for
two years as their first Program Assistant. She then transitioned to Student and Campus
Life in the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, working with all of Cornell's
organizations. In 2022, Adriana accepted a position at ßÙßÇÂþ» in the
Undergraduate Admissions Office, where she was responsible for email communications
and marketing material. In 2024, she made her way to the External Scholarships and
Undergraduate Research Center as the Assistant to Steve Ortiz, Assistant Vice Provost
for Academic Enrichment. In her spare time, she takes acrylic painting courses, reads
books, participates in an archery league, and spends time with her husband.
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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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.
Lalo is a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Chemistry. His role in ESURC
consists of releasing biweekly newsletters and mentoring students by providing guidance
and support to help them find research opportunities both on and off campus. Lalo
participated in the 2022 Summer Research Immersion Program, where he researched the
synthesis of Platinum-based catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. Additionally,
he has participated in Research Experience for Undergraduates programs.
Alexandra (Sasha) Novikova
Sasha is a junior from New York City, NY, majoring in Financial Economics, with a
minor in Mathematics. In her role at the Undergraduate Research Center as Engagement
Assistant for the Source Project, she oversees student outreach, marketing, and engagement
strategies for the program. Sasha participated in the History & Capitalism stream
of the Source Project in 2021-22 and is involved in economic research this year.
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 ßÙßÇÂþ» 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.
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 Senior Coordinator of Academic Support Services 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 ßÙßÇÂþ».
