SUNY Research in the News

Heather Lynch, a professor at SUNY's Stony Brook University, was honored with the 2027-2028 George Eastman Visiting Professorship at Oxford University. Her research focuses on the development and application of statistics and mathematics to conservation biology and has included innovative use of satellite imagery to track penguin populations in Antarctica. She was the principal investigator of four completed sponsored projects managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Heather Lynch Selected as Visiting Professor.

The New York State Department of Conservation's Environmental Protection Fund awarded SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Center for Sustainable Materials Management with $3.25M to help advance waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable materials management across New York State. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting this effort. Read more: SUNY ESF's Center for Sustainable Materials Management Receives $3.25M.

NBC's TODAY Show featured Dr. Marina Su from SUNY's College of Optometry, where she leads the University Eye Center. Dr. Su is an expert on eye health, eyewear quality, eye exams, consumer guidance for purchasing glasses and contact lenses, artificial intelligence, and eye technology. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting her future research. Read more: SUNY Optometry Featured on TODAY Show.

Eight faculty members and one librarian from SUNY's University at Buffalo were named Distinguished Professors - the highest rank in the SUNY system. Five of the awardees are principal investigators on 9 ongoing sponsored projects and 49 completed projects managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Eight Faculty, 1 Librarian join SUNY Distinguished Ranks.

The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society recognized Professor Jason Trelewicz from SUNY's Stony Brook University with its 2026 Brimacombe Medal. The award recognizes sustained excellence and achievement in materials science and engineering. He is the principal investigator of four ongoing sponsored projects managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society Honors Trelewicz.

A new study from SUNY's University at Buffalo, published in Health Psychology, used 40 years of data to show that family-based behavioral treatment for children and parents who are overweight or obese can prevent children from developing metabolic disease when they grow up. The corresponding author, Leonard H. Epstein, PhD, is the principal investigator of two ongoing sponsored projects and 19 completed projects managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Family-based Behavioral Treatment Developed at UB.

Read more about the new world-class SUNY discoveries that are available for licensing. The Research Foundation offers numerous pathways to translate SUNY innovation into economic development opportunities.

• Novel therapeutic intervention targeting mTOR pathways combined with companion biomarkers enables personalized treatment of SLE and its liver complications.
• This technology introduces a novel method for detecting and assessing intestinal inflammation by measuring mitochondrial DNA levels in stool samples.

The Stony Brook Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors held its 2026 Annual Meeting and Induction Ceremony, recognizing the university's most inventive faculty and members of the innovation community. The Research Foundation manages grants and helps protect the intellectual property of SUNY researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. Read more: Stony Brook Celebrates Inventors.

Associate Professor Pritam Das from SUNY's Binghamton University conducted research to increase energy efficiency at data centers, resulting in one issued patent and another pending. He plans to found a startup to develop a commercial model for industry partners. The Research Foundation for SUNY managed the National Science Foundation grant supporting this research, helped protect his intellectual property, and looks forward to supporting efforts to help bring his technology to market. Read more: New Technology Would Boost Energy Efficiency at Data Centers.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded an $80K contract to a SUNY New Paltz research team to study vulnerable montane birds in the Catskills. The study provides valuable data to shape revisions to DEC visitor policies. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting their research. Read more: SUNY New Paltz Student-Faculty Team wins DEC Contract.

Professor Rohini Srihari from SUNY's University at Buffalo appeared on The Academic Minute to discuss her work using artificial intelligence to help people with motor neuron diseases communicate. She is hoping her technology will soon be ready for widespread use. The Research Foundation for SUNY has managed her past grants and looks forward to helping to bring her technology to market. Read more: AI Can Give Voice to People Who Struggle to Speak.

Four researchers from SUNY's Stony Brook University published findings in Cell Reports Physical Science on clean electricity and the conversion of carbon dioxide emissions into valuable fuels and products. The Research Foundation for SUNY managed their grant from the National Science Foundation. Read more: Researchers Seek to Reverse Climate Change and Stony Brook University Researchers.

Read more about the new world-class SUNY discoveries updated today that are available for licensing. The Research Foundation offers numerous pathways to translate SUNY innovation into economic development opportunities.

• This invention is a portable cardiac monitoring technology designed for healthcare providers, athletes, and digital health companies that need continuous insight into cardiovascular performance. Using a single chest-mounted sensor, it provides non-invasive, real-time measurements of stroke volume and cardiac output during daily activities and exercises.
• This technology uses telodendrimer prodrugs combined with boronate chemistry to improve drug delivery and effectiveness.
• This technology presents a topical minocycline ointment formulated to effectively suppress allergic skin responses and reduce inflammation.
• This invention presents a topical 2% minocycline cream that significantly reduces histamine- and allergen-induced itching and swelling, offering a novel non-steroidal treatment for allergic skin reactions.
• This technology introduces novel compositions and methods that use mutated forms of TIMP-2 to precisely regulate extracellular MMP-2 activity, offering targeted control over tissue remodeling.

Researchers at SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry are studying the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail to measure its health at Chittenango Falls. The Research Foundation for SUNY managed past grants that led to two publications on this subject. Read more: Studying an Endangered Snail.

A research team at SUNY's University at Buffalo published in Communications Engineering about their work developing barcodes that can identify plastics moving on conveyor belts. This research could help increase plastic recycling rates. The Research Foundation for SUNY managed the grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that supported this effort. Read more: UB Scientists Invent 'Transient Thermal Barcodes.'

Accelerate Long Island hosted a Long Island Tech & Innovation Summit on June 11, in which SUNY's Stony Brook University emerged as a central force in the region's innovation future. The Research Foundation supports the SUNY research and innovation enterprise that enables this opportunity. Read more: Regional Leaders Gathered to Examine Quantum Technology, AI, Biotech, Entrepreneurship, and the Infrastructure to Make Long Island a Global Innovation Hub.

SUNY's Upstate Medial University is adding six physicians to their team at the Upstate Cancer Center. The Center is the region's most comprehensive source for cancer care, with the goal of translating research into potential cures, technologies, and other products. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting their future research. Read more: Upstate Cancer Center Adds Six Physicians.

12 researchers from SUNY's University at Buffalo co-authored a publication in Science Advances with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University, Kyungpook National University, Rosewell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, and the Danish Research Institute for Translational Neuroscience. They found a gene linked to healthy brain function. The Research Foundation managed past grants enabling this research. Read more: Gene Tied to Energy Production in Brain Could Lead to New Treatment for Cognitive Disorders.

An interdisciplinary team of graduate students at SUNY's Stony Brook University won a $5K award from the VentureWell Foundation. Their project, OptiMargin, is designed to help surgeons detect cancer deposits. This was part of the Stony Brook Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, which combines rigorous scientific training with an understanding of the business of commercializing technology. The Research Foundation supports SUNY efforts to help bring discoveries to market.

Read more: Grad Student Team Wins VentureWell Foundation Award.

SUNY's Upstate Medical University is participating in a landmark international clinical trial that could reshape treatment for patients with heart failure. The study is known as the Synchronicity trial, sponsored by Boston Scientific. The Research Foundation supports negotiation of clinical trial agreements for SUNY. Read more: Upstate Helps Lead Global Trial.

A $450K grant from The Children's Guild Foundation is supporting the relocation of the Institute for Autism Research to the SUNY University at Buffalo campus. The move will expand the institute's reach and its continued participation in research. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting future research at the institute. Read more: Autism Institute Move to UB.

The Center for Economic Growth reported a record high of 7,761 jobs in New York's Capital Region in physical, engineering, and biological research in 2025. NY Creates is proud to be at the center of this growth—working alongside industry leaders, academic partners, and government stakeholders to drive cutting-edge innovation while strengthening our local workforce and community. NY Creates is an affiliated corporation of the Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Capital Region Tech R&D Employment Rising.

Read more about the new world-class SUNY discoveries posted today that are available for licensing. The Research Foundation offers numerous pathways to translate SUNY innovation into economic development opportunities.

• This technology uses machine learning to accurately determine the abundance and class of different fluorescent labels used to label biological samples.
• This technology uses machine learning to accurately classify closely related microbes that have high homology in their 16S ribosomal RNA sequences.
• This technology introduces a novel lipid nanoparticle-based CRISPR/Cas9 system designed to target the Pfkp gene to effectively treat head and neck cancer.
• This technology is a new lipid nanoparticle system that can safely, specifically, and efficiently deliver mRNA to a patient’s lungs.
• This technology introduces innovative telodendrimer nanoformulations of the anti-inflammatory agent CMT-3 that enhances its solubility and bioavailability, enabling effective control of systemic and local inflammation.
• This technology introduces a novel nano-formulation of Mithramycin A designed to improve cancer treatment effectiveness while significantly reducing associated liver toxicity.

Dr. Abdullah Eroglu at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is working on groundbreaking semiconductor inspection technology. Supported by a $60,000 grant managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY from FuzeHub’s New York State Microelectronics Innovation Challenge, the project focuses on developing a non-contact, non-destructive semiconductor inspection platform. Read more: Advanced Semiconductor Inspection Platform.

Norsk Titanium will operate from NY Creates' Plattsburgh facilities, advancing the future of additive manufacturing through a nearly $4.2M contract that supports next-generation submarine and maritime capabilities. NY Creates is an affiliated corporation of the Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Norsk Titanium Awarded Contract to Advance Additive Manufacturing for Submarine Applications.

Dr. Shing-Chi Leung and Seth Walther at SUNY Polytechnic Institute co-authored an article with colleagues from UCLA, Kavli IPMU, and Chubu University in The Astrophysical Journal on primordial black holes. The project was supported by a National Science Foundation grant managed by The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Researchers Explore Supernova Origins.

Ralph Benedict from the University at Buffalo and his team developed an app called the "Conscientiousness Coach." The app helps people identify core values and set meaningful goals as part of efforts to find difficult-to-detect symptoms and determine if this type of coaching can improve treatment outcomes. The Research Foundation supports his clinical trials and protects his intellectual property. Read more: UB Research Targets Hidden Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

Hilary Izatt from Binghamton University was a co-author of an article in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law with colleagues from Northwestern, the University of Michigan, American University, and Harvard. Their research found that after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, women's health providers became more engaged compared to other politically engaged physician groups. The Research Foundation for SUNY hopes to support her future research. Read more: Abortion Decision Prompts Women's Healthcare Providers to Become More Politically Engaged.

SUNY Upstate Medical University is opening a new Bioengineering Laboratory. Nidheesh Dadheech, PhD, is joining forces with Tuncay Delibasi, MD, to potentially develop a complete treatment to cure diabetes. The Research Foundation for SUNY looks forward to supporting their research and to helping bring their discoveries to market. Read more: Update Opens Bioengineering Lab.

Years of foundational research by Iwao Ojima, Martin Maczocha, and their collaborators at Stony Brook University led to technology that has advanced through a partnership with Artelo Biosciences to develop an experimental, non-opioid treatment for pain. Stony Brook’s Intellectual Property Partners licensed the discovery to Artelo on behalf of The Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Biomedical Discovery Advances New Approach to Pain Relief.

A team of researchers at Binghamton University published a paper in the Northeast Journal of Complex Systems using information theory to solve Wordle with a 99% success rate. The Research Foundation for SUNY hopes to support their future research. Read more: Researchers Use Math to Crack Wordle.

The University at Buffalo received a 5-year, $5M grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to strengthen New York's leadership in scientific initiatives across the Great Lakes basin. The Research Foundation for SUNY manages grant funds and ensures compliance with university, grant sponsor, and government policies. Read more: UB Awarded $5M to Lead New Great Lakes Research Consortium and SUNY Buffalo to Serve as Host of Great Lakes Research Consortium.

The New York State Center for Clean Water Technology hosted a conference at Stony Brook University to bring together researchers across disciplines to develop solutions to improve water quality in New York. The conference highlighted the challenges of developing technologies and deploying them at scale. The Research Foundation for SUNY supports SUNY efforts to bring technology to market. Read more: Protecting Long Islands Most Vital Resource.

The University at Buffalo's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership graduated two new classes from programs supporting entrepreneurs. The Research Foundation for SUNY supports SUNY efforts to bring technology to market, Read more: CEL Graduates Business Leaders from Core Program and CEL graduates Emerging Entrepreneurs.

Chou-Yu (Joey) Tsai from Binghamton University was a co-author of a study in the Journal of Organizational Behavior investigating the impacts of replacing human workers with robots. The Research Foundation for SUNY hopes to support his future research. Read more: Should Companies Replace Human Workers with Robots.

Researchers from the University at Buffalo were featured in the film The Memory of Darkness, Light and Ice, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Documentary. The Research Foundation for SUNY managed the National Science Foundation grants funding their research. Read more: Documentary Featuring UB's Ice Sheet Research Wins Emmy.

Kelly Gair, a PhD student at Binghamton University, was lead author of a paper in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinic Science examining how attentional patterns and depressive symptoms in children predict changes in one another over time. The Research Foundation for SUNY hopes to support her future research. Read more: Depression May Rewire How Kids Pay Attention

The Research Foundation for SUNY administered grants that led to a publication in Nature Biomedical Engineering by Assistant Professor Jungwook “Jay” Paek and PhD Student Anika Alim from Binghamton University, and their colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Toledo, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Read more: New research looks at how asthma attacks alter airway tissues - Binghamton News.

The Research Foundation for SUNY will administer grants supporting a team of faculty researchers led by Xiaoying Zhu, OD, PhD, MD, MS, FAAO from the SUNY College of Optometry. The Team was awarded a $500,000 Myopia Research Grant from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) and Meta Reality Labs Research to study how children’s everyday visual experiences may contribute to the development and progression of myopia, or nearsightedness. Read more: SUNY Optometry Faculty Awarded $500,000 Grant From American Academy of Optometry Foundation & Meta Reality Labs Research - SUNY College of Optometry.

Psychiatric Times spoke with Dr. Gina Mathew, a senior post-doctoral associate at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, about her research on teen smartphone use. The Research Foundation for SUNY helped administer her research, supported by the Della Pietra Family Foundation. Read more: Teen Smartphone Use at Bedtime Predicts Overnight Phone Activity.

The Research Foundation for SUNY will administer a $1.3M award from the National Science Foundation for Dola Saha, Hany Elgala, Aveek Dutta, and Mustafa Aksoy from the University at Albany. Their research will establish an advanced wireless testbed for cutting-edge research aimed at improving use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Read more: UAlbany Receives $13M NSF Award.

NY Creates announced that Danfoss Power Solutions plans to establish operations in Marcy, NY, bringing up to 300 jobs to the Mohawk Valley. NY Creates is an affiliated corporation of the Research Foundation for SUNY. Read more: Danfoss Power Solutions to Establish Manufacturing Operations

In just 45 days after the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Genesis Mission call for submissions on March 17, the State University of New York mobilized a system-wide response on a remarkable scale. The Research Foundation for SUNY’s pre-award and legal teams coordinated across campuses to rapidly develop proposals that met DOE requirements and stayed fully compliant with federal guidelines. Across SUNY’s four R1 research universities and SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the effort produced 174 proposals addressing 16 national priority areas—including artificial intelligence, quantum systems, and next-generation energy technologies. Read more about Stony Brook's contributions: Stony Brook Mobilizes for National AI Research Mission.

Stony Brook University researchers Peng Zhang, Zefan Tang, and Walter Krawec received a patent for a new quantum communications system designed to protect energy infrastructure from cyberattacks. The technology is jointly patented by The Research Foundation for SUNY and the University of Connecticut. Read more: Hackers Could Face A New Obstacle In Power Grid Attacks or Technology Protects Future Power Grids from Cyberattacks.

POP Biotechnologies, Inc., secured up to $9.7M in funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to advance next-generation vaccines. The PoP platform, exclusively licensed from the State University of New York Research Foundation, was invented by POP BIO co-founder Dr. Jonathan Lovell at the University at Buffalo. Learn more about how SUNY is supporting start-ups: UB spinout POP Biotechnologies receives up to $9.7 million from CEPI to advance rapid-response vaccine platform - University at Buffalo.

Rose-Anne Romano, an associate professor at the University at Buffalo, received an NIH grant of $440,275 to study how salivary glands repair and regenerate after injury. The Research Foundation for SUNY will administer this grant, which could help guide the development of new treatments to restore salivary gland function and improve quality of life. Read More: UB Professors Receive NIH Grant to Study Salivary Gland Regeneration.

The Research Foundation for SUNY administered a grant enabling SUNY Oswego anthropology professor Jordan Dalton to publish in Nature Communications in collaboration with the University of Sydney. Dr. Dalton co-led an international research team that found evidence for long-distance migration along Peru's Pacific coast that began at least 800 years ago. Read more: Groundbreaking Research Unearths Details About Migration and Marriage.